San Diego Border Is Seeing More Immigrants Than Ever
At any Mexico-US border, there are thousands of people from a wide variety of countries trying to enter the US legally with the proper paperwork, as well as thousands who attempt to cross without being seen by border patrol.
Source: Reddit
From October 2022 to September 2023, the San Diego border reported nearly 2.5 million migrants, more than 80% of whom passed through legally. However, since October 2023, the San Diego border has apprehended 214,855 migrants who attempted to cross illegally. Many of these people were unaccompanied minors or humans being smuggled by criminals.
The San Diego Board of Supervisors' Plan for the Border
Local officials in San Diego do not argue that illegal and criminal crossings are a problem. However, they do believe that the millions of people crossing the Mexico-US border legally need assistance upon arrival.
Source: Reddit
Therefore, the Board of Supervisors has voted to spend nearly $19 million on building a transit center on the US side of the border to provide shelter, food, and everything else they may need.
Food, Shelter, and Services Will Be Available to Those in Need
The transit center will offer temporary beds, as well as hot meals, medical care, personal hygiene supplies, and transportation to new migrants in the United States.
Source: Adobe Stock
At this moment, a temporary center provides similar services, but it’s not nearly big enough to handle the large number of crossings the border sees every day.
Where Will San Diego Get the Money for the Border Transit Center?
When people hear that San Diego plans to spend $19 million on a transit center, the first question on many minds is: Where will they get the money?
Source: Cobbcounty.org
Fortunately, the funding will be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which has substantial resources for projects like these.
Recently Released Migrants Will Work at the Transit Center
Additionally, the San Diego Board of Supervisors included a clause in the plan stating that recently released migrants from the US Department of Homeland Security will be employed at the center.
Source: Homeland Security
This facet of the plan provides much-needed labor for recent immigrants who have been approved to work within the state.
San Diego County Board Supervisor Jim Desmond Is Against the Center
Four of the five members of the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted for the transit center, and therefore, it passed. However, one member voted against it: Jim Desmond.
Source: @Jim Desmond/Linkedin/Wikipedia
Desmond explained that he voted against the transit center as it “will not solve the crisis” or “protect the border.”
Desmond Says the Center Is a “Hotel Concierge”
More specifically, Desmond said that the transit center will “allow for more concierge service to get migrants to their destinations across the United States.”
Source: Freepik
The Republican believes that the center would essentially be a sanctuary for recent migrants, which he says could even hinder law enforcement from proactively managing the thousands of people attempting to enter the United States every day.
Desmond Argues That Money Could Be Better Spent
Instead, Desmond argues that funding from the SSP could be better used to support the safety and security of the border.
Source: ICE
That includes additional border patrol agents, as well as the technology, training, and support they desperately need to do their jobs properly.
It’s Not Just People Arriving at the San Diego Border
One aspect of Desmond’s argument is that while the San Diego border is certainly seeing an extensive number of legal migrants, it’s also home to a wide variety of criminal activity that needs to be stopped.
Source: ICE
Between April 17-23, 2024, law enforcement agents at the San Diego border seized 238 pounds of methamphetamine, 36.8 pounds of fentanyl, 154 pounds of cocaine, and 7 firearms. Which is undoubtedly concerning.
More Border Agents Could Certainly Help
It’s important to understand that the other four members of the San Diego Board of Supervisors are not denying the fact that more border agents are necessary as the number of legal and illegal crossings increases.
Source: Adobe Stock
However, they believe that building the transit center will also be exceptionally helpful. Supervisor Nora Vargas, who sponsored the proposal with Joel Anderson, explained, “We are working to tackle the global humanitarian crisis at our border by expediting the asylum process, reducing street releases, and ensuring that asylum-seekers are treated with the utmost dignity as they seek safety and a brighter future.”
Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Immigrants
Supervisor Joel Anderson added that the San Diego transit center is unquestionably a “step in the right direction” and that it will minimize the exploitation and homelessness of new arrivals.
Source: Freepik
But Desmond doesn’t agree; he said that the center is just “ rolling out the red carpet using taxpayer dollars.”