Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has announced potential layoffs impacting its migrant shelter workers, signaling a significant shift in the organization’s services due to changes in federal funding and policies. Staff members at the San Diego-based non-profit were given a 60-day notice on Monday, prompting concerns about the future of migrant support services in the region.
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The move comes as a direct consequence of adjustments in federal government funding allocations and policy modifications concerning asylum seekers. Under the Biden administration, a system was established where migrants seeking asylum were transported to shelters managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including respected entities like Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Service. These shelters became crucial points of support for asylum seekers upon arrival in the United States.
Migrant shelter services provided temporary shelter, food, case management, medical and legal services.
Since October 2018, Jewish Family Service’s Migrant Shelter Services has played a pivotal role in assisting nearly a quarter of a million individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. The organization provided essential services, including temporary housing, nourishment, case management, and access to medical and legal assistance, becoming a vital safety net for vulnerable populations.
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However, a significant policy change on January 20th, with the federal government’s shutdown of the CBP One App—an application that allowed migrants to schedule appointments to claim asylum at the border—directly impacted JFS’s operations. Jewish Family Service reported that this policy shift led to a halt in the arrival of new families at their Shelter Services. The absence of new clients has triggered potential staff layoffs and a need to strategically redirect organizational resources.
In an official statement released on Monday, Michael Hopkins, CEO of Jewish Family Service, stated, “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.” The announcement has left staff members in a state of uncertainty.
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While the exact number of affected shelter workers remains undisclosed, JFS has confirmed that employees have received a 60-day notice, indicating the potential timeframe for these changes. CEO Hopkins added, “We are working to identify any potential opportunities for re-engagement with our valued Shelter Services staff in other departments in the future,” suggesting efforts to mitigate job losses through internal redeployment.
Jewish Family Services has cited both federal funding reductions and policy changes as reasons for the service adjustments. While the specific details regarding the funding amounts and sources were not initially revealed, JFS later clarified to NBC 7 that they were allocated $22 million in federal funding in October 2024, which has not yet been received. This funding delay further complicates the financial stability of the migrant shelter services.
Looking ahead, Jewish Family Service of San Diego intends to place a greater emphasis on legal services for immigrants. In anticipation of evolving immigration policies, the organization is actively expanding its staff and volunteer base to bolster pro bono legal immigration services. This strategic pivot aims to address the ongoing needs of immigrants and undocumented community members in the San Diego region, even as migrant shelter services face an uncertain future.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated JFS received $22 million from FEMA for its migrant shelter services. The agency told NBC 7 they have not received the federal funding to date. NBC 7 is working to gather more information.
