San Antonio Migrant Resource Center Shut Down Amid 72% Drop in Arrivals

The San Antonio Migrant Resource Center (MRC) will cease accepting new arrivals due to a significant decline in migrant numbers, down 72% from January 2024 to January 2025. City Manager Erik Walsh indicated that the low influx, averaging just 12 asylum seekers daily, no longer justifies the center's operational costs, which had ranged from $800,000 to $1.2 million per month. The center, established in 2022 to assist migrants traveling through San Antonio, had previously been crucial in managing large numbers arriving via local transportation hubs. Recent changes in federal immigration policies, including the ending of protections for Venezuelan migrants, have contributed to this decline. Despite having federal funding available, city officials stated the decision to close the MRC was based solely on reduced demand rather than federal pressure. Over its operational period, the MRC has aided over 640,000 migrants transitioning through the city.