The Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has announced the closure of its regional migrant shelter and the layoff of 115 employees following recent federal policy shifts. The shelter, which has operated for more than six years, provided temporary housing and resources for asylum-seeking families arriving in the U.S. However, with the Biden administration discontinuing the CBP One app on January 20, 2025, the number of new arrivals has significantly declined, forcing the shelter to shut down its operations.
The CBP One app previously allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry, streamlining the asylum process. Its removal has led to fewer asylum-seekers being processed, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of migrants needing temporary shelter. Without new arrivals, JFS could no longer justify the costs of maintaining the facility or retaining its staff. The organization has stated that, while the shelter is closing, it will continue to provide pro bono legal services and other community support for migrants who have already been processed and remain in the U.S.
JFS has expressed concern about the impact of these policy changes on vulnerable migrant families. “We remain committed to assisting those in need, but the reality is that without new arrivals, we cannot continue shelter operations,” a JFS spokesperson said. The organization also criticized the federal government for what it sees as an abrupt policy shift that left shelters like theirs without a clear path forward.
The closure has reignited debates over the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis and the broader impact of federal immigration policies. Supporters of tighter border security have welcomed the decision to end CBP One, arguing that the app was being exploited to facilitate large-scale migration without proper vetting. Critics, however, argue that the move is creating unnecessary hardship for migrants who have legally sought asylum through official channels.
Meanwhile, local officials and activists are concerned about what the shelter’s closure means for migrants already in the country. Some worry that without shelters like JFS, asylum-seekers will be left homeless or forced to rely on already strained city and state resources. Others view the closure as a step toward reducing incentives for mass migration and encouraging stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
With no clear federal plan to replace CBP One, uncertainty remains regarding how future asylum-seekers will be processed. Advocacy groups are calling for alternative solutions to ensure humane treatment of migrants while maintaining national security. As the immigration debate continues, the closure of JFS’s San Diego shelter stands as a reflection of the evolving border policies and their real-world consequences.
