On June 30, 2020, U.S. Border Patrol expelled to Mexico a two-day-old newborn U.S. citizen and his mother seeking asylum in San Diego. A couple days earlier, Border Patrol had separated the mother from the father and their other young son, who were also forced to return to Mexico. After expressing fear of returning, all were denied their right under U.S. law to non-refoulement interviews (also known as fear of return to Mexico interviews), which are required under U.S. law. The baby is now in Mexico with no legal status.
Read on to learn about how Jewish Family Service of San Diego and ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties have filed a joint complaint to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. JFS also filed a parole request for the family to be granted entry into the U.S. while they await asylum proceedings.
Today’s ruling is a momentous win. Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the federal administration’s rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful, and therefore, first-time DACA applications, DACA renewal applications and advance parole will all be available again.
FS strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to eliminate non-discrimination regulations known as the “Health Care Rights Law,” or Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
At the NJHSA Annual Meeting on May 4, 2020, the Extraordinary Leadership Award was presented to CEO Michael Hopkins. View the presentation here.
We stand in solidarity with the African American/Black community as we process the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and too many other instances of racism, violence, and hate that happen time and time again.
Jimbo’s is donating all 10 cent paper bag fees collected April 6-24 to the Jewish Family Service’s Hand Up Food Pantry. They will be able to use these much needed funds to support the many San Diegans who rely on their food pantry every week, especially during this time.
JFS response after the federal administration announced its plan to immediately halt immigration to the U.S. by temporarily barring the issuance of new green cards.
April 24 Session Held In Spanish, Helps Parents Find Positive Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Family Life During Quarantine.
A virtual press conference was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Click below to watch the video and read the press release.
ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and Jewish Family Service of San Diego submitted an administrative complaint regarding the U.S. Border Patrol’s mistreatment of a woman who gave birth at the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station on February 16, 2020.
Move Comes Shortly After One-Year Mark; More Than 20,000 Migrants Served.
“As we transition into the new space, we first need to thank the many partners, supporters and volunteers who have helped us provide refuge to thousands of asylum-seeking families over the last year,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. “Thank you to the State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom, the County of San Diego and Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Greg Cox, the San Diego Rapid Response Network, and UC San Diego Health.”
“Because of Judge Sabraw’s ruling, Jewish Family Service was able to provide legal counsel for the family, the lead plaintiffs in this lawsuit, for their fear of returning to Mexico interview. The family was able to communicate their traumatic experiences and ongoing fears of persecution while in Mexico to the federal government and will now be allowed to await their asylum hearings in the U.S. – safely and with adequate resources,” said Jewish Family Service CEO Michael Hopkins
“This decision was a step in the right direction for Jewish Family Service’s clients.” said Michael Hopkins, CEO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego. “We will be able to provide legal counsel for the family, the lead plaintiffs in this lawsuit, for their fear of returning to Mexico interview. But, access to an attorney while in CBP custody is still not guaranteed for all individuals enrolled in MPP. Everyone in MPP has the right to due process.”
Major San Diego Nonprofit Rated in Top 1% of Nonprofits Nationally.
Jewish Family Service announces a class-action lawsuit with ACLU demanding access to legal representation for detained migrants who have expressed a fear of being returned to Mexico. The plaintiffs, a family from Guatemala, are represented by Jewish Family Service.
JFS starts Know Your Rights Presentations and Seeks to Add Friends of the Court.
The JFS legal team is partnering with the California State University system to offer Higher Education Legal Services to students and staff at CSU San Marcos and San Diego State University. These free legal services include DACA renewals, Know Your Rights workshops, application completion, and much more. Learn more about the program at jfssd.org/hels.
All KAVOD SHEF funds will be directed toward Emergency Services, specifically to address the following urgent and critical needs of Survivors. KAVOD SHEF funds will be utilized quickly, with few restrictions, to address unmet emergency needs of Survivors in partner cities, including San Diego, where this special initiative will launch in August 2019.
Read JFS’ letter to Chairwoman Soomin Chao concerning the released version of the State’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC).
This award recognizes organizations that are a source of strength and support for the Latino community.