By Melanie Slone
Now is not the time to manage your immigration status or link to services on your own, says Katia Hansen, President & CEO, UURISE (Unitarian Universalist Refugee & Immigrant Services & Education). It is imperative that you consult with a DOJ-recognized service or an immigration lawyer who specializes in immigration cases, she explains.
Recent Changes to Immigration Policies
We have seen three main areas of focus under the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS), says Hansen. First, the increased interior enforcement, including expanding expedited removal. Instead of allowing individuals going through the immigration process to live in the community, DHS is trying to put everyone into mandatory detention.
Second, the current administration is limiting the types of immigration benefits and relief available to individuals and making it harder to go through the current legal process, including seeking asylum, applying for naturalization, sponsoring family members, or renewing work authorization or DACA.
There is currently a travel ban on 93 countries, meaning, with few exceptions, individuals from those countries cannot get a visa to come to the US, and many of their applications for other immigration benefits are paused, even if they were already in process before the ban.
Third, some legal protections are being eliminated, such as categorical parole and temporary protected status (TPS).
Neighborhood Checks
Neighborhood checks are being used for individuals applying for naturalization. A USCIS officer goes to a neighborhood and asks neighbors if an applicant has good moral character. “It puts your legal status in the hands of people that you may not get along with,” says Hansen.
The Know Your Rights information is different for these checks. For example, these officers do not need a warrant. Officers have spoken to landlords and property managers about whether people pay their rent on time, if they get complaints, and who lives in the home.
Firing Range in Escondido
Some procedures have been in place for a while but are just now getting attention, such as the lease of a local firing range to DHS on Valley Center Road in Escondido, a contract that has been in place since 2014. Local law enforcement does not cooperate with immigration enforcement, and the range is used to train special agents. But when the contract was extended on January 14, 2026, there was community backlash. The Escondido City Council was not asked to approve this contract due to the amount of money involved.
DHS has begun capitalizing and pushing the boundaries on these types of agreements that already existed, says Hansen.
Changes to CalFresh
Beginning April 1, some CalFresh recipients will no longer be able to receive services, and their benefits will be reevaluated at the next recertification.
You can still receive CalFresh if you are a US citizen, a US national, a lawful permanent resident (LPR), a Cuban and Haitian entrant (CHE), or an individual who resides in the United States in accordance with a Compact of Free Association (COFA) Agreement.
You are no longer eligible for CalFresh if you are an asylee, a refugee, a parolee, an individual with a deportation or removal withheld, a conditional entrant, a victim of trafficking, or a battered noncitizen.
Work Requirements
Effective June 1, 2026, there are work requirements for CalFresh for adults aged 18–64 who do not meet a CalFresh work requirement exemption. They must work at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month; or participate in qualifying work activities for at least 20 hours per week.
Exemptions: Under 18 or over 64; a parent of or responsible for the care of a dependent child under 14; physically or mentally unfit for employment; pregnant; under the IHCIA; participate in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program at least half the time; under 16; care for child under 6; care for person with disability; earn at least $217.50 per week; receive unemployment benefits; disabled; attend school at least half time; meet work requirement for CalWORKS; in a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program.
Keep your benefits by responding to all CalFresh requests.
Get Assistance
There are many sources of legal and food assistance in North County San Diego that do not ask for identification or immigration status. Ask these local service agencies for referrals.
There are many free food assistance options in San Diego County, regardless of immigration status:
- 211sandiego.org offers a countywide list of food resources.
- The San Diego Food Bank maintains an online map of emergency food distribution sites, searchable by ZIP code, open times and eligibility.
- Feeding San Diego hosts pop up distributions at locations around the County and maintains an online map of food distributions and pantries.
- Jewish Family Service holds weekly drive-through distributions.
211 (call 2-1-1)
Catholic Charities: 619 323-2841
Community Resource Center: (760) 753-1156
Interfaith Community Services: 760-489-6380
Jewish Family Services: (858) 637-3210
Lifeline: 888-724-7240
One Safe Place: 888-440-4673
UURISE: 760-477-7537 (legal services)
