What Led to the Closing of San Diego’s Migrant Shelters?

Closed sign in store window

The closure of migrant shelters in San Diego marks a pivotal moment in understanding the direct effects of federal immigration policy changes.

Key Takeaways

  • San Diego’s migrant shelter operated by Catholic Charities is shutting down due to a decrease in asylum applications linked to Trump’s immigration policies.
  • The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley will return to its original function, ceasing migrant shelter operations.
  • Jewish Family Service of San Diego also laid off 115 employees amid federal policy-induced funding changes.
  • U.S. Border Patrol has observed a 95% decline in migrant encounters year-over-year as of February.
  • Despite receiving over $22 million from FEMA, claims of insufficient funds led to shelter closures.

San Diego Leads in Migrant Shelter Closures

The large migrant shelter in San Diego County, run by Catholic Charities, is shutting down primarily due to the precipitous drop in asylum seeker numbers, a change initiated during President Trump’s administration. This policy shift sharply cut down the number of migrants seeking refuge at the shelter, reducing demand for its services and leading to its closure.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley, which doubled as a migrant shelter, will revert to its original function. This change directly undermines the support networks for migrants who rely on these facilities for immediate aid after arrival. Notably, the Jewish Family Service of San Diego has also shuttered its center, impacting 115 employees, due to federal funding policy changes.

Declining Migrant Numbers

The dramatic drop in migrant encounters reported by the U.S. Border Patrol, showing a 95% year-over-year decline as of February, underscores the significant impact of these immigration policy changes. Such drastic numbers reflect the rapidly changing landscape in migrant management, as fewer asylum seekers enter the process.

Moreover, the temporary cessation of the CBP One app — a critical tool for organizing migrant paroles in the U.S. — further contributed to the reduced intake of new asylum seekers. By January 20, its unavailability resulted in fewer migrants scheduling necessary entry appointments, undermining the existing system’s efficiency.

Nationwide Impact

The effects of these substantial policy shifts extend beyond San Diego. Cities like New York and Denver have also responded by scaling back their services to migrants as similar decreases in migrant numbers led to reduced necessity for extensive shelter services. In Manhattan and at the Roosevelt Hotel shelter in New York City, diminished numbers led to operational cutbacks, consolidating aid into other areas.

Denver also made moves to save costs by consolidating shelter services from four operations into fewer facilities. Across various locations, the recalibration demonstrates the complex interplay between swift federal policy changes and immediate local impacts on humanitarian infrastructure dedicated to migrants.

Sources:

  1. San Diego migrant shelter closes doors with numbers plummeting after Trump immigration crackdown: report
  2. San Diego migrant shelters close as asylum seeker numbers plummet
  3. Calif: With Fewer Asylum Seekers, San Diego Shutters Migrant Shelters

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR