San Diego, California – Over the weekend, more than 1,500 immigrants were left on the streets of San Diego after a city-funded immigration center shut down due to lack of funding. Among these individuals was a man wearing a hoodie with a controversial message. The photo of the man wearing the hoodie with “F— YOU ALL” written on it was shared by City Supervisor Jim Desmond, sparking attention and concern.
The closure of the San Diego Migrant Welcome Center, which was funded by taxpayers at $6 million, resulted in the sudden influx of migrants onto the city’s streets and airport. Operated by a non-profit organization, the center exhausted its funds in just four and a half months, spending $1.5 million monthly to provide migrants with temporary shelter and charging facilities as they awaited processing and travel to their final destinations.
Since October, the center had processed around 81,000 migrants, highlighting the significant impact of its closure. The recent inundation of migrants at the Iris Transit Center in San Ysidro, located near the U.S.-Mexico border, further emphasizes the challenges faced by immigrants in the region.
Amidst the escalating situation, concerns have been raised about the treatment of immigrants and the handling of the migrant crisis. City Supervisor Jim Desmond expressed his dismay, describing the situation as “disgraceful for our country.” He criticized the current system, stating that Border Patrol has become akin to an “Uber” for migrants, while San Diego is seen as their “travel agent.”
The closure of the migrant center in San Diego has brought to light the struggles faced by immigrants and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the ongoing migrant crisis. With the surge of migrants overwhelming local resources, the plight of these individuals continues to underscore the complexities of immigration policies and the humanitarian challenges faced by both migrants and host communities.