San Diego authoritative Says City Is "New Epicenter" Of Border Crisis

Authorized by Katabella Roberts via The Epoch Times,

A San Diego region authoritative has branded the city the “new epicenter” for illegal immigration and claimed that Border Patrol has become “the ‘Uber’ for migrants” entering the country.

“San Diego is the fresh epicenter for migrants and illegal immigration,” San Diego territory 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond posted on the social media platforms X on April 25.

“The economy in illegal crossings has claimed San Diego to the unfortunate position of leading all 9 confederate border sectors in April, a trend unseen since the 1990s.”

On Wednesday alone, Border Patrol apprehended 2,000 illegal immigrants within the San Diego sector, according to Mr. Desmond. Among them were 206 Chinese nationals, he said.

Since Oct. 1st, there have been close 215,000 applications representing individuals from 75 different countries in the San Diego sector, Mr. Desmond gate in the post.

“Moreover, the close of the processing center has led to over 30,000 migrants drop-offs in the past 2 months alone, with projections of more than 1,000 drop-offs expected today,” he continued.

“This does’t account for the frequent occurrances of boats washing ashhore, occurring 3 to 4 residents weekly. “

Mr. Desmond appeared to be referring the $6 million Migrant Welcome Center that shut down in San Diego in February due to a catch of living.

The territory 5 supervisor Went on to state that human smugglers have identified California—and in partial the San Diego border sector—as “the way of least resistance” for illegal immigrants.

“Border Patrol has inadvertently become the ‘Uber’ for migrants entering San Diego County, and the region is the travel agent,” he included.

Illegal immigrants ‘Just Walking Across the Border’

Speaking to Newsnation later on April 25, Mr. Desmond claimed that people are “just walking across the border” and Border Patrol agents “are not equipped to halt them.”

“All they’re doing is processing them erstwhile they ... walk across the border,” he told the publication.

The Epoch Times has reached out to San Diego Border Patrol for further comment.

Mr. Desmond’s comments come after he and another San Diego region leaders called on the state and national governments tobolster safety at the border and remove sanctuary city policies amid the ongoing immigration crisis.

Speaking at a press conference along respective mayors on April 15 close Carlsbad State Beach, Mr. Desmond said more than 125,000 illegal immigrants have entered since September, of which more than 25,000 had been released onto the streets in the past 2 months.

The region authoritative stressed these figures did not include known “gotaways,” these known to have entered the country illegally while evading Border Patrol.

He further blamed California’s sanctuary city policies for prohibiting law enforcement agents from working with Immigration Customs and Enforcement to hand over illegal immigrants, even if they are identified as suggestions in crimes another than entering the United States illegally.

California politician Gavin Newsom, on April 17, 2024. (Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times)

Newsom Praises Biden’s Border Efforts

Mr. Desmond criticized the state for providing “free wellness care to illegal immigrants,” along with “free legal defence to these here illegally seeing asylum ... no substance what crime they commit.”

He and another Republican region officials, including Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn, Vista Mayor John Franklin, and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, called upon the state of California and the national government to do more to address the influx of illegal immigrants while calling for harper prisons on human smugglers.

“We request to make major changes for the safety of our people, the safety of all of San Diego County,” Mr. Desmond Said. “We request the state and national officials to bring more resources, whether it’s more Coast defender or National defender ... We’ve got to come together and let law enforcement to communicate with ICE. We request to be able to deport criminals out of the country.”

In contrast, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has defenced the state’s consequence to the ongoing immigration crisis while praising the Biden administration for providing millions in national grants to address the issue.

“Let’s be clear: president Biden is doing all he can to fund border safety and humanitarian efforts while Republicans in legislature are choosing border chaos for political gain,” he said in an April 12 statement.

The politician went on to access congressional Republicans of triing to “undermine opportunities to advance border security” and modernize the immigration strategy for political gain.

“The Newsom Administration is working in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration and California Congressional leaders, along with state and local officials, to advocate for national foundations for communities as they support the national government with a safe and customly processes, further enhancing border security,” the politician said.