Hundreds of migrants were unexpectedly left on the streets of San Diego after being dropped off at a bus stop instead of a reception center due to a lack of local funding. The center, operated by SBCS, aimed to provide services such as phone charging, food, and travel advice to migrants before they continued their journey elsewhere in the U.S.

Migrant aid groups scrambled to help with makeshift arrangements after the closure of the center, with Border Patrol buses arriving with migrants from various countries. Many of the migrants, mostly single men and women, were set to spend only a few hours in San Diego before continuing their travel plans.

The closure of the center comes as San Diego, like other border cities, grapples with the unprecedented influx of migrants while facing budget constraints and other urgent needs within the community. Nora Vargas, the chair of the San Diego County board of supervisors, highlighted the need to assess damages from flooding, address homelessness, and improve healthcare services for residents before allocating further funds to support migrants.

Despite efforts from migrant aid groups and volunteers to assist new arrivals, financial strains and criticisms have arisen. SBCS stated that funds were stretched as far as they could go to provide services costing $1.4 million a month, although the county had asked them to aim for $1 million.

The closures and financial strains faced by migrant aid centers have drawn attention from various entities. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to sue and shut down Annunciation House, a migrant shelter in El Paso, for allegedly facilitating illegal entry into the U.S.

Overall, the situation in San Diego highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities along the U.S. southern border in managing the influx of migrants while balancing limited resources and pressing local needs.

The Border Patrol has emphasized the need for Congress to provide additional resources and legislative action to address outdated immigration laws, as street releases of migrants continue to occur in San Diego and other border cities.