SAN DIEGO (Feb. 10, 2025) – 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. With a deep commitment to its core value of “Welcome the Stranger,” JFS is focusing its immigration efforts on providing pro bono legal services and community support resources.

“We’ve been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement,” said CEO Michael Hopkins. “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. We’re also continuing to collaborate with our community partners to explore new ways to offer assistance.”

On Jan. 20, 2025, the federal government ceased use of the CBP One application, which allowed migrants to request asylum at U.S. ports of entry. With migrants no longer able to use the CBP One application, the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, operated by JFS, has not received new families and individuals released from short term federal custody into our care. 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.

At the same time, needs are increasing for immigrants and undocumented residents and for vulnerable members of our community. JFS will continue providing robust pro bono immigration legal services for the most vulnerable cases, including unaccompanied minors and adults facing deportation; free immigration legal services and education for 12 community colleges and universities in the region; and renewals for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients (DACA or Dreamers), along with JFS programs and services available to the community at large including for food, aging care services, case management and more.

In the past six years, the SDRRN Migrant Shelter Services has assisted more than 248,000 people seeking asylum – providing temporary shelter, food, case management, medical and legal services, and travel coordination to reunite people with their loved ones across the U.S.

“The SDRRN Migrant Shelter Services was a national model for welcoming a large number of people thanks to the tremendous support of elected officials, staff, partners, volunteers, donors and the community at large. I want to especially call out our staff for their tremendous, round-the-clock work to welcome with dignity every day,” said Hopkins. “We are proud of what we accomplished together – centering humanity, prioritizing public health and keeping hundreds of thousands of new people from becoming homeless on the streets of San Diego. Moving forward, there is much more work to be done to welcome newcomers and help our neighbors.”

The SDRRN Migrant Shelter Services began in late October 2018, when the Trump Administration ended the “Safe Release” program and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began releasing hundreds of migrant families onto San Diego’s streets without warning and without following travel process protocols. The Shelter Services program was possible with the support of elected officials at all levels of government, SDRRN non-governmental organization partners, medical partners, private donors throughout the nation, JFS staff and a robust network of dedicated volunteers.

JFS immigration resources include:

• Pro bono immigration legal services to non-citizens in San Diego County. The nonprofit works to assist as many people as possible within their capacity limitations. Services include:

• • Higher Education Legal Services provides free immigration legal services to students, staff, and faculty at 12 San Diego and Imperial County community and state colleges.
  • The Immigrant Legal Rights Program provides pro bono immigration legal services to non-citizens in deportation proceedings, including unaccompanied children.
  • The Affirmative Immigration Services Program provides free immigration legal services to low-income San Diego County residents seeking immigration benefits for themselves or for their family members living in the U.S.
• For Know Your Rights informational videos in English and Spanish and details on other resources for immigrants and their families.

JFS offers a broad range of supports and assistance for vulnerable members of the San Diego community including access to healthy food, aging care services and transportation, and a Safe Parking Program for community members living in their cars.

To donate to these efforts, visit www.jfssd.org/WelcomeTheStranger. To volunteer, visit www.jfssd.org/WelcomeTheStrangerVolunteer.

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Moving Forward Together  
Founded in 1918, Jewish Family Service (JFS) is one of San Diego’s most impactful nonprofit agencies – providing resources and support across our diverse San Diego community. Through integrated services, the organization empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to overcome challenges, set goals, and build more stable, secure, and connected lives. JFS is committed to helping individuals and families move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen our San Diego community.

To get help, volunteer, or support JFS, visit jfssd.org or call 858-637-3000.  

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