1776Reporting
A prominent migrant shelter in San Diego, run by Jewish Family Service (JFS), is shutting down its operations after over six years of serving the community. The closure comes after the organization announced it would lay off 115 staff members, citing recent changes in federal funding and policies under the Trump administration.
“Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is working to meet the evolving needs of the community in response to recent and anticipated federal policy changes,” the organization stated. The shelter, which has played a crucial role in offering refuge to asylum seekers, has been struggling to adapt to these shifts. It’s clear that political decisions are affecting real lives, and JFS is no exception.
Since January 20, the shelter has not received any new families or individuals seeking asylum. The key reason is the malfunction of the CBP One phone app, which has been instrumental in managing migrant arrivals. Initially created during the Trump administration to streamline cargo inspections, the app was expanded in 2023 to facilitate asylum seekers by allowing them to make appointments at U.S. entry points. This system provided an essential exception under the Title 42 public health order, allowing migrants to enter the U.S. legally.
By the end of December, more than 936,500 people had used the app to schedule appointments, according to Customs and Border Protection data. With its failure, the flow of new asylum seekers has come to a halt, significantly impacting shelters like the one managed by JFS.
“In the absence of migrants being able to use the CBP One app, the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, operated by JFS, has not received new asylum-seeking families and individuals released from short-term federal custody into our care,” the organization explained. “Due to these changes in federal funding and policy, the SDRRN Migrant Shelter Services will be paused until there is better understanding of future community needs.”
The organization assured the public that they are adjusting their focus. Instead of providing shelter, JFS is now concentrating on offering pro bono legal services and other community support resources. “We’ve been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement,” said Michael Hopkins, CEO of JFS. “While there are no longer individuals or families seeking asylum released from short-term federal immigration custody to our Shelter Services, we are seeing increased needs for immigration legal assistance and other social service supports to vulnerable San Diegans.”
NEW: A San Diego migrant shelter is closing down and laying off 115 employees due to “changes in federal funding & policy” under the Trump admin. The shelter says it has received ZERO new migrants since Trump was inaugurated & ended the CBP One phone app.https://t.co/6qOddy3mic
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 16, 2025
Despite the closure, JFS continues its essential work in the community. However, questions have been raised about the funding it received. According to FEMA records, JFS received $22,077,365 in taxpayer-funded aid in the 2024 fiscal year, despite initially claiming they had not received such funds.
Fox News Digital reached out to JFS and FEMA for further comment but did not receive an immediate response. As the situation unfolds, it’s clear that these shifts in policy and funding are creating uncertainty for many families and individuals in need.
Analysis of the Situation
As policy changes continue to shape the landscape of immigration in the U.S., organizations like Jewish Family Service are caught in the middle. For years, JFS played an integral role in assisting migrants, but now, with the loss of crucial funding and changes in asylum procedures, their ability to provide shelter has been severely impacted. The closure of the shelter is a stark reminder of the broader consequences of political decisions on vulnerable communities.
With a focus now shifting to legal services, it’s clear that while shelter may no longer be available, the need for legal and social support has not diminished. As the organization continues to adapt to new federal policies, the question remains: what will the future of migrant assistance in San Diego look like?
The community’s role in supporting these vulnerable individuals is more important than ever. With resources shifting and adapting, one can only hope that new solutions will emerge to meet the needs of those seeking a better life in the U.S.
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