After four months in Tijuana, the wife and children of a US citizen were allowed to continue their asylum case in the US. They stayed in our Migrant Family Shelter before reconnecting with family and preparing for immigration court.

Despite being 50 years apart in age, Joann and Golan bring warmth and adventure into each other’s lives – and it all started with our Friendly Visitor program.

The Duwara Consciousness Foundation served the first meal out of their new food truck to people living in their vehicles at our Aero Drive safe parking lot. JFS Director of Strategic Partnerships, Carole Yellen, talks about how the donated dinner provided more than a meal – it brought a sense of community to unsheltered San Diegans.

Watch Video >>

Without attorney representation, migrants are having a hard time preparing for their asylum interviews if forced to Remain in Mexico. And some face grave dangers if forced to stay in Mexico and need protection. “Fear of Return” protection is very difficult to come by.

From the article: “Where the federal government is failing, JFS is stepping up,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda). Members of the Jewish and Latino legislative caucuses toured our Migrant Family Shelter and an ICE detention center to get a first-hand look at the difficult journey asylum-seekers face.

Jewish Family Service’s “On the Go” program in conjunction with Ed Brown Center is one of three senior centers selected from across the country to test an outreach and education program connecting older adults with ridesharing services, so they can participate in health and wellness programs.

Migrants who are returned to Mexico to wait for their court date under the MPP are at a high risk for kidnapping, human trafficking, and extortion. Our immigration attorney Luis Gonzalez talks about the danger asylum-seekers, particularly women with young children, face during their stay in Tijuana. The legal team at JFS is dedicated to representing vulnerable families as they search for a better life in the United States.

This frontpage Union-Tribune story investigates the challenges and importance of legal representation for asylum seekers who fall under Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as Remain in Mexico.

A group of local artists sold handmade mugs to raise money for the JFS Migrant Family Shelter. The fundraiser brought in $2,500, which will directly support asylum-seeking families as they search for a better life in the U.S.

A mother and her child – assisted by our pro-bono immigration attorneys – attempted to plead their case for asylum in U.S. immigration court. This mother and her teenage son are running from gangs in El Salvador that killed other members of their family. Even though they have already been robbed in Mexico and live in constant fear of being found by the gangs, this family has been placed in the Migrant Protection Protocols and must remain in Mexico until they can pass a “credible fear” interview. Our legal team will continue to fight for this family, and many others like them, in the hopes of helping them find safer and more secure lives in the U.S.

Click here to watch the video from KPBS (The story begins at the 3:15 mark)
Click here to read the KPBS article

“Some of the asylum-seekers do have support on the north side of the border, but it’s difficult to access that support when it’s across an international line,” says JFS Immigration Attorney Leah Chavarria.

The Oakland, California, Fox station highlights the work of two students who’ve founded a nonprofit that collects handwritten letters for Latin American migrants. This past June, dozens of Cartas Con Amor were delivered to the JFS Migrant Family Shelter. Learn more about their mission and their visit to our shelter: https://www.cartasconamor.org/

As part of the I Am An Immigrant Campaign, #ToImmigrantsWithLove encourages everyone to donate to organizations serving our immigrant community. The San Diego Rapid Response Network is featured on their list of organizations making a difference at the border.

The effect of “Remain in Mexico”—Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP) is having on the number of asylum-seekers.

In this front-page article, Kate Clark, Senior Director of JFS Immigration Services, discusses the impact of the “remain in Mexico” program.

The shelter run by JFS screens families for communicable health conditions after leaving “inhumane conditions” at overcrowded detentions centers in Texas and Arizona.

Organizaciones comunitarias piden mantener la calma y corroborar cualquier información que circule en redes sociales.

JFS and Jewish Federation have formed a partnership to advocate for a State-funded grant that would increase community security and ensure nonprofits are protected from violent hate crimes.

Despite the end of family separation policies, non-traditional families seeking asylum still face hurdles in the United States.

The third parking lot in our Safe Parking Program is the first to welcome RVs. Homeless individuals and families have access to emergency support, benefits assistance, and help with locating permanent housing.

Reporter Stella Escobedo tours the Migrant Family Shelter and chats with JFS CEO Michael Hopkins about the humanitarian services we provide following increased security at the Southern border.

Reporter Kate Morrissey captures the reaction of the San Diego immigrant community to Trump’s announcement that ICE will begin mass deportations.

This video segment explains the politics behind the U.S-Mexico immigration agreement and includes footage of the JFS Migrant Family Shelter. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and an asylum-seeking guest are both interviewed.

COO Dana Toppel provides an update on Safe Parking Program after city passes new ordinance.

Mainly children have shown flu-like symptoms since arriving at the shelter, county officials said.