In a major development, the Jewish Family Service of San Diego has announced the closure of its migrant shelter, laying off 115 staffers due to recent federal policy changes.
According to Fox News, the shutdown reflects adjustments in federal funding and operational challenges, significantly influenced by a crucial technology failure.
Over the past six years, the Jewish Family Service of San Diego has been operating a regional shelter for migrants, providing essential services and support to asylum seekers. This facility played a critical role in the community's response to migration issues, collaborating within the broader San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN).
The closure was largely triggered by the malfunctioning of the CBP One phone app on January 20. This app, crucial for managing parole processes for immigrants, has been inoperative since the malfunction, severely impacting the intake of new asylum seekers at the shelter.
Originally, the CBP One app was developed to schedule cargo inspections. It was later expanded in 2023 to include scheduling migrant appointments at ports of entry, serving as an exception to the Title 42 public health order. Before its breakdown, the app had facilitated over 936,500 parole appointments, as noted by Customs and Border Protection.
The sudden halt in the functionality of the CBP One app left many potential asylum seekers unable to secure appointments, which in turn meant no new individuals or families were directed to the shelter for support and further immigration processing. This significant drop in new arrivals dictated the need to pause the shelter services, as announced by the Jewish Family Service. The lack of new asylum seekers coupled with policy changes led to an abrupt reduction in operational necessities and funding distribution.
According to a statement from Jewish Family Service, the organization is now shifting its focus toward other community needs, such as providing pro bono legal services and enhancing social support for vulnerable populations in San Diego. CEO Michael Hopkins emphasized the organization's pivot to adapt to the new demands arising from these federal policy shifts.
Hopkins stated, "We’ve been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement. 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 support."
The thrust towards adapting to changing federal policies and community needs highlights a significant transition in how support services are managed and delivered amidst evolving regulatory environments.
The organization has made clear its commitment to continue collaborating with community partners. This collaborative effort aims to explore new avenues to assist those affected by immigration changes, ensuring that vulnerable groups in San Diego continue to receive the support they need.
Despite the claims about changes in funding affecting operations, it's noted that the Jewish Family Service received substantial federal support through FEMA grants, tallying over $22 million in Fiscal Year 2024. This highlights the complexity of funding flows and the specific impacts of policy changes on operational decisions like those faced by the Jewish Family Service. In a broader context, the organization's strategy reflects a responsive adjustment to both anticipated and actual changes in the landscape of immigration policy and support services. As stated by the Jewish Family Service, their ongoing mission remains centered on "meeting the evolving needs of the community" in light of these shifts.
The closure of the shelter not only affects the employees who find themselves without work but also marks a significant moment in the regional response to migration. It underscores the challenges faced by service providers in aligning their operations with federal policy directions and technological dependencies.
The story of the Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a microcosm of broader national and international trends affecting migration and asylum policies. As agencies and organizations navigate these complex waters, the impacts are deeply felt at the local level by those they aim to serve.
In conclusion, this development serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges in the field of immigration services and the need for robust, resilient systems that can adapt to sudden changes in policy and operational frameworks.