San Diego migrant center closing due to lack of funding

San Diego County to deplete $6M allocated for migrant crisis by Thursday
Local officials: It’s a federal issue, government should reimburse funds
Since Oct. 1, over 104K migrants have crossed San Diego border

Updated: Feb 21, 2024 / 08:00 AM CST

(NewsNation) — A San Diego center established to aid migrants is set to close this week due to a lack of funds.

The facility run by local nonprofit SB C S will shutter after San Diego County is expected to deplete the $6 million that was allocated to address the migrant crisis by Thursday. This funding was approved in October and December in response to the persistent humanitarian emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The funds were used to provide essential services including translation assistance, transportation, food and hygiene kits.

San Diego has become a growing flashpoint in the migrant crisis, with a significant number of migrants from China and the Middle East choosing to enter the U.S. illegally from Tijuana, Mexico.

Sources told NewsNation that since Oct. 1, more than 104,000 migrants have been encountered at the San Diego border. In recent months, amid overwhelmed federal agents dealing with migrant crossings, there has been a practice of street-releasing migrants into the county — a concern that local officials fear could recur with the migrant center closing.

“This is a federal issue. I knew it was, and we gave money for a little while, but it did not stop anything,” said San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. “In fact, I think it hurts the problem because now we are getting twice as many people dropped off in San Diego County than we were before.”

“Now we are being told that the number of people that are coming per day are going to raise from 300 to 700, to 1,000 at the same time that the center is closing,” said El Cajon, California, Mayor Bill Wells.

Similar financial pressures are being experienced in other cities.

In Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston is actively seeking federal funding to address a growing migrant influx. Significant measures such as reallocating funds are underway to safeguard essential services, like DMV offices and recreation centers.

Before the establishment of the migrant drop-off center funded by San Diego County, the Border Patrol was leaving migrants at various train and bus stations.