Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) announced $39 million in Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners in the greater San Diego region that support migrant communities seeking shelter, food, and other critical resources.

San Diego County and the Catholic Charities each received $19,592,554 in SSP funding to assist with migrant arrivals.

“People who seek asylum and refuge in the U.S. should be treated with respect and dignity,” said Rep. Scott Peters. “This funding will allow San Diego nonprofits to continue to provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to individuals and families as they await an immigration court hearing and transportation to another part of the country. I thank the Biden administration and urge Congress to pass the bipartisan border security agreement, which would provide an additional $1.4 billion in SSP funds, speed up the judicial process, and give resources to Customs and Border Protection to better manage the border.” 

“The San Diego area has a long tradition of welcoming individuals seeking asylum and refuge with open arms. I’m proud to have worked alongside my San Diego delegation colleagues to secure this critical funding for communities and organizations aiding migrants,” said Rep. Vargas. “This funding will help make sure they have the resources they need to continue their important work to provide migrant communities with food, shelter, and other critical services.”

“All migrants deserve to be treated humanely, and San Diego is striving to be the model for communities receiving migrants across the country. I’m proud that my colleagues and I in the San Diego delegation secured this critical funding, which will help ensure migrants are welcomed with dignity and respect,” said Rep. Levin.“This funding will help our local partners provide additional resources to meet migrants’ basic human needs and reduce the impact on the existing safety net, including on homeless shelters. While I welcome this announcement, I also know we have more work to do. Congress must pass the bipartisan border security agreement, which would in part provide additional SSP funds.”

“The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is one of our best tools to ensure that our country is living up to our values and treating migrants and asylum seekers with dignity and respect,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs “That’s why I’m so proud that our San Diego congressional delegation secured another $640 million in federal funds for this program, guaranteeing millions of dollars for San Diego. As always, we will keep pushing for comprehensive immigration reform to address the root causes of migration, relieve the strain on our asylum processing system, and expand the legal pathways for people to stay and work in the U.S., but this funding will go a long way to addressing our immediate concerns regarding the housing, safety, and needs of migrants and asylum seekers in San Diego.”

In February, Members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation urged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to release available funding for SSP under Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Continuing Resolutions (CR).