San Diego County, known for its sprawling beaches and sunlit streets, is facing a challenge that demands immediate attention and intervention. In a recent statement, District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond voiced a pressing concern that should resonate with all San Diegans. The region has seen an influx of migrants at an alarming rate, with numbers suggesting no imminent slowdown.

Over 5,000 individuals have been “street-released” within just a span of 10 days. These people are being dropped off at transit stations across San Diego County. Such significant numbers on a daily basis, more than 600 to be exact, are placing an enormous strain on the local infrastructure and services. To put it bluntly, our immigration system, as it stands, is flawed. This broken mechanism is leading to circumstances where San Diegans are left exposed to potential risks.

Desmond’s call to action points to the crux of the problem: the insufficient resources and support provided by the Federal Government. Given the magnitude of the situation, it’s evident that a band-aid solution will not suffice. The challenge is not just an issue of immigration or logistics; it is undeniably a humanitarian crisis. San Diego, while striving to be a beacon of compassion and empathy, is being pushed to its limits.

Supervisor Desmond is not merely pointing out problems without suggesting solutions. His proactive approach has led him to place an urgent agenda item for the upcoming Board meeting. This move aims to categorically define the current scenario as a humanitarian crisis. It’s a step forward, a call for collective recognition, and hopefully, collective action.

One can’t help but draw parallels with the existing homelessness crisis that already shadows San Diego. The introduction of thousands more individuals to the streets only compounds the severity of the existing problem. While the region and its residents are known for their kindness, there’s a tangible threshold to the support and resources they can provide. Recognizing this isn’t an act of turning our backs on those in need, but rather an acknowledgment of the practical boundaries of our capacity.

What San Diego urgently needs now is a robust, federal intervention. The call is for a comprehensive strategy, paired with the necessary resources to address this burgeoning crisis effectively. Such an approach would not only alleviate the strain on local infrastructures but also ensure the safety and well-being of both the San Diego community and those desperately seeking refuge within it.

Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Official Website

A Humanitarian Crisis

Declaring Border Situation, a Humanitarian Crisis

With over 600 street releases daily, the strain on our local infrastructure and services is becoming increasingly untenable. We have witnessed an unprecedented influx of migrants from around the world being dropped off at transit stations throughout San Diego County. Over 5,000 individuals have been “street-released,” dropped at transit stations, over the last 10 days. The numbers show no sign of slowing down. Our immigration system is broken, and people from far and wide are capitalizing on the federal government’s ineptness, putting San Diegans at risk.

In the absence of sufficient Federal Government resources and support, it is clear that we cannot continue down this path. As such, I have taken the initiative to place an urgent agenda item for discussion at our upcoming Board meeting. This item will declare the current situation as a humanitarian crisis.

We already face a severe homelessness crisis, and dropping thousands of individuals onto our streets will only exacerbate this issue. Like many others, our region is already beyond its capacity to provide essential services, resources, and support to those seeking refuge within our borders. While we are a community that values compassion and empathy, we must also acknowledge the practical limits of our capacity to meet the needs of those who arrive in our region.

We urgently require federal assistance, resources, and a comprehensive strategy to address this situation effectively, ensuring the well-being of our community and those seeking shelter within it.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond
https://www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/

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