County advances long-term plan for migrant transition center
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to move forward with a migrant transition center plan after securing $19.6 million in federal funds.
Thousands of asylum seekers continue to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border. They are then released into the community after being processed by U.S. Border Patrol.
While the county previously allocated $6 million for a temporary migrant center to provide services to help people reach their final destination, it closed earlier than expected due to lack of funding.
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On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted to advance a plan for a long-term migrant transition center.
“I am immensely proud of our successful advocacy efforts, which have led to the allocation of $19.6 million by the federal government to support asylum-seekers at our border,” said chairwoman Nora Vargas. “This funding is vital for providing dignified and humane assistance, including essential resources such as food, clothing, and crucial information to safely guide people to their intended destinations.”
Supervisor Jim Desmond voted against the plan, saying it does not get to the core root of the problem.
“All this money does is provide a facility for us to basically act as their travel agents and move then throughout the county,” he said. “I think this money would be better spent if that money went toward Border Patrol agents and allow them to get more border patrol agents for vetting.”
County officials say thousands of migrants have been released on the street since the temporary center’s closure
Last week, local organizations like Jewish Family Service urged the county to collaborate with them and learn about the most urgent needs.
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“It is critically important for the county of San Diego in particular to come alongside organizations that have been closest to this work, both doing sheltering and supporting individuals that have been released to streets of San Diego over the last year,” said Kate Clark, senior director of immigration services with Jewish Family Service.
“I’d rather see this money put toward safety and security,” said Desmond. “And not having nonprofits fighting over dollars that are one-time dollars, that are only going to last for about 12 months and after that then what? Then this problem is in San Diego’s lap.”
County officials plan to meet with local organizations in the near future to get input on how to collaborate on services.
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