Since December 23, we have gotten word that more than 140 asylum seekers have already been released to the streets of El Cajon—with no shelter or services. Anytime the asylum seeker shelter network hits capacity, the federal government drops them off at transit centers around the County.

East County has always welcomed those fleeing danger and persecution, and we are prepared to do so again with the help of the federal government.

On Dec. 19, I sent a letter to President Biden, and on Dec. 22 I held a press conference with East County leaders from our cities, school boards, and healthcare system to call on federal officials to give San Diego County the needed resources to address this humanitarian crisis. Our homeless shelters, hospitals, and schools will soon be overwhelmed without their help.

Thankfully, Congress heard our pleas and has last week voted to approve $785 million to reimbursing local governments and non-profits for costs related to emergency shelters and services to asylum seekers.

It still takes at least three votes on the Board of Supervisors to move the County forward in addressing this huge issue in our community.

Please sign my petition urging the County of San Diego to take immediate action to provide shelter, food, transportation, basic heath and first aid to those asylum seekers abandoned on our street corners by the Federal Government.

We’re working hard to get people off the streets, and we need to use every tool in our toolbelt to prevent homelessness. I will present our petition to my Board colleagues at our January board meeting and ask for their support to direct County staff to provide immediate assistance so that we are not adding asylum seekers to East County’s homeless population.