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Overwhelmed Shelters in San Diego Lead to Migrant Releases, Straining Local Charities

by Andrew Wright
5 comments
San Diego Migrant Crisis

For half a decade, San Diego—the largest U.S. city bordering Mexico—has cultivated an efficient infrastructure for accommodating asylum-seekers. However, this system is now under unprecedented strain as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been releasing migrants directly onto the streets of California’s second-biggest city due to a lack of shelter space. Since September 13, approximately 13,000 migrants have been left at public transportation centers with mandates to appear in immigration courts at their final U.S. destinations. An additional 500 are being released each day.

The strain on local shelters is attributed to a confluence of factors: decreased federal funding, CBP’s strategy of transferring migrants from Texas and Arizona to San Diego for processing, and a recent spike in unauthorized border crossings. The Biden administration recently initiated plans to construct a border barrier in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and announced the resumption of deportation flights to Venezuela.

Prior to their release in San Diego, some migrants have endured waits between double-layered border walls or camped under surveillance by Border Patrol in remote mountainous areas to the east of the city. Meanwhile, CBP shut down a key pedestrian border crossing from Tijuana, Mexico, on September 14, reassigning more personnel to migrant processing tasks.

Paulina Reyes-Perrariz, the managing attorney for Immigrant Defenders Law Center’s cross-border initiative, stated, “Many are unaware of their current location or how to proceed to their final U.S. destinations, which is where we come in to offer assistance.”

Last month, daily illegal border crossings exceeded an average of 8,000 after initial declines following the implementation of new asylum restrictions in May. The influx of migrants comes from dozens of nations, with many from Venezuela seeking job opportunities and safety.

Unlike other border cities, approximately 95% of migrants in San Diego relocate to other regions in the United States rather swiftly, contrasting starkly with cities like New York and Chicago. This incessant influx of fatigued and disoriented migrants from over 100 countries has led the San Diego County government to declare the situation “an unparalleled humanitarian crisis.”

After a local recreation center reached its capacity for hosting migrants last week, the Border Patrol resumed their drop-offs at transit centers. Newly-arrived migrants from countries like China, India, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and various West African nations gathered in parking lots to recharge phones, eat, and wait for complimentary shuttles to the airport.

Volunteer groups like Al Otro Lado are currently seeking individuals fluent in languages such as Russian, Pashto, Creole, French, Portuguese, Amharic, Hindi, Mandarin, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Kate Clark, Senior Director for Immigrant Services at Jewish Family Service of San Diego, noted, “This is a brief intervention moment before they continue on to unite with their families.”

While shelters continue to prioritize families with young children, elderly individuals, medically vulnerable people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, most of the migrants being released are single adults.

Two major charitable organizations in San Diego, Jewish Family Service and Catholic Charities, have collectively assisted over 430,000 migrants in the region since 2018. However, Catholic Charities recently reduced its housing capacity to approximately 800 due to dwindling federal funds.

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security disclosed that it had allocated $790 million for migrant shelters this year and requested an additional $600 million from Congress.

Local government and aid organizations insist that more federal support is imperative, even for basic services at transit center parking lots, where volunteers offer travel guidance to migrants. The county board recently approved a $3 million expenditure to fund basic amenities and services for migrants for the next three months.

One migrant, Pedro Cardenas, shared his arduous journey from Ecuador, expressing feelings of both relief and sorrow as he prepared for a flight to New Jersey. As evening approached, volunteers from a local church with limited space worked diligently to ensure that no migrants would have to spend the night on the streets.

In summary, the situation has placed an extraordinary burden on both governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations, prompting a call for more substantial federal assistance to manage what is becoming an increasingly complex humanitarian issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about San Diego Migrant Crisis

What is the primary focus of the article?

The article primarily focuses on the unprecedented strain being placed on San Diego’s system for accommodating asylum-seekers. It delves into how U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been releasing migrants directly onto the streets of San Diego due to a lack of shelter space, and explores the multiple contributing factors to this crisis.

Why are migrants being released onto the streets of San Diego?

Migrants are being released onto the streets of San Diego because the city’s shelters are currently at full capacity. Approximately 13,000 migrants have been released since September 13, with an additional 500 arriving each day.

What factors have led to the current crisis in San Diego?

The crisis has been caused by a combination of decreased federal funding, a recent surge in unauthorized border crossings, and the practice of transferring migrants from Texas and Arizona to San Diego for processing.

What actions has the Biden administration taken recently?

The Biden administration has initiated plans to construct a border barrier in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. They have also announced the resumption of deportation flights to Venezuela.

How are local charities and organizations responding to the crisis?

Local charities such as Jewish Family Service and Catholic Charities have been pivotal in assisting migrants. However, they are also feeling the strain due to decreased federal funding and increased demands on their resources.

What assistance are migrants receiving upon their release?

Upon their release, migrants are being dropped at public transportation centers with mandates to appear in immigration courts at their final U.S. destinations. Some charitable organizations are providing basic amenities like food, charging stations for phones, and travel guidance.

Has the government allocated any funding to address this issue?

The Department of Homeland Security disclosed last month that it has allocated $790 million for migrant shelters this year and has requested an additional $600 million from Congress. Additionally, the county board approved a $3 million expenditure to fund basic services for migrants for the next three months.

What is the role of volunteer organizations in this crisis?

Volunteer organizations are playing a crucial role in providing immediate assistance to migrants. For example, Al Otro Lado is seeking volunteers who speak multiple languages to aid migrants from diverse backgrounds.

Are there specific groups of migrants that shelters are prioritizing?

Yes, shelters are primarily focusing on accommodating families with young children, elderly individuals, medically vulnerable people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

What are the future implications if the situation remains unaddressed?

If the situation remains unaddressed, it could escalate into a more severe humanitarian crisis, putting an even greater strain on local government resources and charitable organizations, while also affecting the migrants’ well-being.

More about San Diego Migrant Crisis

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5 comments

Tim Allen October 14, 2023 - 9:27 am

can’t believe how many countries these migrants are coming from. This isn’t just a US-Mexico border issue anymore, it’s truly global.

Reply
Sara Williams October 14, 2023 - 5:34 pm

I’m glad the article mentions the charities stepping up, but we need to talk about long-term solutions too. This can’t go on like this forever, right?

Reply
John Smith October 14, 2023 - 8:58 pm

Wow, the situation in San Diego sounds really dire. Didn’t realize how complex the issue has become. where’s the federal government in all this?

Reply
Mark Johnson October 14, 2023 - 10:39 pm

Kinda surprised at the scale of this crisis. Why are migrants being sent from Texas and Arizona to San Diego in the first place? Seems like it’s creating more problems than solutions.

Reply
Emily Davis October 15, 2023 - 1:23 am

This is a mess. What’s shocking is that even after the Biden admin announced funds, things haven’t gotten better. And the shelters, oh God, they’re doing their best but it’s clearly not enough.

Reply

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