At least 500 unaccompanied teenage girls who cross the border into the U.S. are now in a federally-run shelter at the San Diego Convention Center after arriving over the weekend.
They are the first of nearly 1.500 migrant girls from 13 to 17 years old who are seeking asylum expected to be housed at the shelter while officials locate family or sponsors and connect the girls with them. More arrivals are due this week. City leaders say they volunteered to use the facility to create the first women’s emergency shelter as a way to help ease overcrowding in U.S. border patrol holding centers.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said leaders had about one week to prepare after getting the call that help was needed. With no events at the convention center due to the pandemic, he said it made sense to use the space to help find relief. He added that events are planned at the convention center in August, so it will only be a shelter through mid-July.
(Photo reporting partner 10News)