DATE:
October 8, 2024
17
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE MIGRANT TRANSITION DAY CENTER AND A-72 WAIVER (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego is a welcoming county to asylum-seeking migrants and refugees fleeing persecution in their home countries. Over the past seven years, the United States-Mexico border has seen increases in asylum seeking migrants from humanitarian crises around the globe. Federal law allows people from other countries to seek asylum in the United States if they fear persecution at home.
San Diego is home to diverse communities, including significant populations of Somali, Iraqi, and Vietnamese refugees. Oftentimes, San Diego is simply a waypoint for migrants on a longer journey into other areas of the United States. Recently, our region has been impacted by the humanitarian migrant crisis at our international border. As a County we have been addressing the increase in street releases by U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") by, among other things, working together with local community-based organizations ("CBOs") to ensure asylum seekers reach their destination.
On February 6, 2024 (11), the Board of Supervisors directed the Interim Chief Administrative Officer (ICAO) to work with the region's fiscal agent for the federal Shelter and Services Program (SSP), and if needed, the federal government, to return to the Board within 30 days with options to maximize the use of this funding stream to meet regional needs, including mitigating street releases. Additionally, staff was directed to develop a concept paper and advocacy plan for long-term, state and federally funded migrant transfer sites and respite shelters operated by local community-based organizations, supplemented by philanthropic and private sector funds.
In response to this direction, on February 27, 2024 (13), staff returned to the Board with a report titled "Concept Paper and Advocacy Plan for a Long-Term Migrant ...
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