♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, A DEEP DIVE INTO WHERE HOMES ARE BEING BUILT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE LATEST DATA ON CONSTRUCTION.

PAID PARKING AT BALBOA PARK.

DETAILS HOW THE NEW POLICY WILL ROLL OUT.

LEARN ABOUT THE YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM IN CITY HEIGHTS THAT SERVES THE LOCAL REFUGEE COMMUNITY.

WE START WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO OVERCROWDING AT IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS.

WE HEAR ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE MAKING DETAINEES SICK AND DERAILING THEIR CASES.

>> Reporter: THE DETENTION CENTER LOOKS LIKE A PRISON.

TALL BARBED-WIRE FENCES, GUARDS, SECURITY CAMERAS, DESIGNED TO KEEP PEOPLE INSIDE.

IT'S TECHNICALLY NOT A PRISON OR A JAIL.

IMMIGRATION DETENTION IS CLASSIFIED AS CIVIL DETENTION.

PEOPLE ARE WAITING, EITHER TO BE DEPORTED OR FOR AN IMMIGRATION JUDGE TO DECIDE THEIR CASE.

>> THEY CALL IT CIVIL DETENTION AS A WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM INCARCERATION, IMPRISONMENT.

BUT I WORKED AS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR YEARS.

IT IS NO DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN IS A LAWYER WITH THE IMMIGRANT DEFENDERS LAW CENTER.

>> IT VERY MUCH IS A PRISON.

SAME SECURITY.

SAME RULES.

SAME STRIP SEARCHES AFTER YOU SEE YOUR ATTORNEY.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS ARE KEY TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S MASS DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

AND THEY WILL PLAY A BIGGER ROLE AS THE RECENT BUDGET BILL ALLOCATES BILLIONS FOR NEW ONES.

AGENTS STRUGGLE TO MEET ARREST QUO TAS OF ,000 PEOPLE A DAY.

AS OF APRIL, 84 OF THE COUNTRY'S 181 DETENTION CENTERS ALREADY EXCEEDED THE CONTRACTUAL CAPACITY.

THAT INCLUDES THIS ONE, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE BEYOND ITS CONTRACTUAL CAPACITY.

VALERIE REPRESENTS THREE CLIENTS THERE.

WE SPOKE TO HER ON A WINDY DAY OUTSIDE THE DETENTION CENTER.

>> MALES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OVERCROWDING.

THERE'S AROUND 10 TO 13 PEOPLE IN ONE ROOM.

THERE'S ONLY EIGHT BEDS IN EACH ROOM.

>> Reporter: THAT ROOM IS DESIGNED FOR EIGHT PEOPLE.

THEY SHARE ONE TOILET.

>> THEY GET A MAT ON THE FLOOR.

FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, BECAUSE OF PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR, THE MALES HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE SICK BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE AIR HITTING THEM FROM BELOW.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLE IMMIGRATION LAWYERS S TOLD KPBS THAT POOR CONDITIONS ARE ENDANGERING THE HEALTH OF THEIR CLIENTS.

>> MY CLIENT WHO WAS DETAINED HAD A RASH ALL OVER HIS BODY, THE WHOLE TIME HE WAS THERE.

IT MADE IT SO HE COULDN'T SLEEP.

HE WAS ITCHING EVERY TIME WE WERE MEETING AND DISCUSSING HIS CASE.

HE HAD TO ITCH HIS BODY.

HE WOULD ASK MEDICAL FOR SOME SORT OF CREAM TO HELP SO HE COULD SLEEP AT NIGHT.

THEY WOULD BRING HIM THIS TINY CUP FOR HIS ENTIRE BODY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT'S DIFFICULT TO ADVOCATE FOR HER CLIENTS.

HER PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS OFTEN GO IGNORED.

>> IT'S INFURIATING THAT THEY ARE CHARGED WITH CARING FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED NO CRIME, AND THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING THE BASIC NECESSITIES.

>> Reporter: THE PRIVATE COMPANY THAT RUNS THE DETENTION CENTER DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS.

I.C.E.

ISSUED A STATEMENT DENYING CLAIMS OF OVERCROWDING OR SUBPRIME CONDITIONS, CALLING THEM CATEGORICALLY FALSE.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFERS FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO PEOPLE DETAINED THERE.

THE CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER MICHAEL GARCIA SAYS THE OVERCROWDING CHAOS IS DERAILING DUE PROCESS.

>> THE PRIMARY PROBLEM IS CONFUSION.

IT'S SO OVERCROWDED THAT THERE'S CONFUSION UP AND DOWN THE SYSTEM THERE FROM THINGS LIKE SOMEONE WILL HAVE -- SOMEONE WILL BE TOLD THEY WILL HAVE THEIR INTERVIEW ON AN ASYLUM CASE AND IT NEVER HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: THIS CONFUSION IS CAUSING CLIENTS TO ABANDON THEIR CASES AND SELF-DEPORT.

>> THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A LAWYER, YOU ARE ANXIOUS AND GET SCARED, YOU CHOOSE TO VOLUNTARY DEPART AS OPPOSED TO FIGHTING A CASE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN VIABLE.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A FEATURE, NOT A BUG OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DEPORTATION MACHINE.

>> A LOT OF THE CLIENTS ARE CHOOSING TO NOT FIGHT THEIR CASE ANYMORE.

PROBABLY BY DESIGN AND EXACTLY WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS.

>> Reporter: EVERY LAWYER WHO SPOKE TO KPBS TALKED ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF THEIR WORK.

FEELING GUILTY ABOUT LEAVING THE DETENTION CENTER KNOWING THEIR CLIENTS ARE STRUGGLING INSIDE.

AGAIN, HERE IS VALERIE.

>> WE DO TAKE IT HOME.

A LOT OF ATTORNEYS THAT WORK HERE IN THE DETENTION CENTER, WE TAKE THAT HOME.

WE PROBABLY CRY A FEW TIMES, UNDERSTANDING THAT GOOD PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN HERE AND BEING MISTREATED.

I FEEL LIKE THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

I KNOW THERE IS.

I KNOW WE CAN EVENTUALLY DO SOMETHING.

IT'S HARD TO FEEL LIKE YOU AS ONE PERSON CAN DO SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: SHE PLANS TO SHOW UP UP AS LONG AS HER CLIENTS CONTINUE TO NEED HER.

>> HE TALKED MORE ABOUT THE STORY.

YOU CAN STREAM THE SHOW AT KPBS.ORG OR WHEREVER YOU GET PODCASTS.

>>> KPBS TOOK A LOOK AT SAN DIEGO'S HOUSING SUPPLY.

SOME EFFORTS ARE SHOWING RESULTS WHILE SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ARE STILL LAGGING BEHIND.

HERE IS SOME OF OUR MULTI-PART SERIES WITH REPORTERS ANDREW AND JAKE.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO BE SOMEWHERE WE COULD WALK TO COFFEE, DINNER AND JUST HAVE THINGS GOING ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: TODD HAS BEEN A SAN DIEGAN FOR TWO YEARS.

THE OHIO NATIVE WORKS A REMOTE JOB.

AFTER TRYING OUT A FEW CITIES IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD, HE AND HIS WIFE DECIDED SAN DIEGO FEELS MOST LIKE HOME.

THEY LIKE THE WEATHER, OF COURSE, AND THE PACE OF LIVING.

>> PLACES LIKE L.A. AND NEW YORK ARE MUCH MORE CAREER DRIVEN AND CAREER FOCUSED.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY DO FOR WORK.

THAT'S WHERE THEY GET THEIR IDENTITY.

I FEEL LIKE HERE PEOPLE ARE MORE DEFINED BY THEIR HOBBIES THEY DO OUTSIDE OF WORK.

WE LOVE THAT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF LOCALS WHO LIVES IN A NEW APARTMENT BUILDING IN NORTH PARK.

HIS BUILDING, THE NASH, HAS NICE AMENITIES.

THE UNITS THEMSELVES AREN'T VERY BIG.

>> WE COULD GET MORE SPACE THAN WE DO FOR OUR MONEY HERE.

THE OTHER THINGS ABOUT THE BUILDING WE LOVE.

THE FIRST FLOOR IS AN OFFICE SPACE THAT I CAN WORK IN OR MY WIFE CAN WORK IN.

THE POOL IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE NASH IS PART OF A CLUSTER OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THIS MAP.

IT SHOWS HOUSING PERMITS ISSUED BETWEEN 2018 AND 2024.

THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF NEW HOME BUILDING IS IN DOWNTOWN, BANKERS HILL, HILLCREST AND NORTH PARK.

IT SHOWS THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEW HOUSING IS COMING IN THE FORM OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS WITH FIVE OR MORE UNITS.

YET, THAT TYPE OF DENSER DEVELOPMENT IS LIMITED TO JUST A FEW AREAS.

MOST OF SAN DIEGO IS STILL ZONED FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

IN THOSE AREAS, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ARE THE ONLY TYPE OF HOUSING GETTING BUILT IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.

WHILE HIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS GROWING FAST, HE STILL SEES PLENTY OF ROOM TO KEEP GROWING.

MOST OF THE NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS ARE ON MAJOR STREETS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE SERVING A FIVE STORY NEWER APARTMENT BUILDING.

IF YOU GET WEST OF HERE INTO UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS A LITTLE BIT, IT'S STILL MOSTLY SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF DENSITY SPREAD AROUND.

IT'S CONCENTRATED IN CERTAIN AREAS.

>> I THINK IT'S ABOUT CHOICES IN HOW WE UTILIZE THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE GOT.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN CHAIRS THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL'S LAND USE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE.

HE SAYS EVEN THE DENSEST NEIGHBORHOODS AREN'T EXACTLY FULL.

>> DOWNTOWN IS BUILT OUT AS IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE, YOU DRIVE AROUND AND YOU CAN STILL FIND ALMOST EVERY OTHER BLOCK EMPTY PLOTS OF LAND.

>> Reporter: HE HEARS CONSTITUENTS OPPOSE NEW HOUSING, SAYING THEY WANT BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST.

BETTER ROADS, PARKS, LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, WE DON'T PLAN FOR THOSE THINGS BECAUSE WE DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THE AREA TO UTILIZE THEM.

PEOPLE ALWAYS GET INTO THIS ARGUMENT, WHY DON'T WE HAVE ONE FIRST BEFORE THE OTHER?

THE TRUE ANSWER IS, WE JUST -- WE NEED TO PLAN FOR BOTH.

BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: I MEET HIM AT A NEW DEVELOPMENT OF 1,800 HOMES.

HE RECALLS NEIGHBORS TALKING ABOUT THIS PROJECT AS A BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY.

HE DOESN'T SEE HOUSING AS A BURDEN BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT BRINGS IN MORE RESIDENTS WHO PAY THE TAXES AND WATER BILLS THAT FUND CITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES.

DEVELOPERS ALSO PAY FEES THAT HAVE HELPED UPGRADE THE PARKS.

>> 2005 IS WHEN THE COMMUNITY WAS TOLD, WE ARE PLANNING FOR A NEW POOL, SKATE PARK, UPDATES TO THE RECREATION FACILITIES.

THEN IS SAT FOR 18 YEARS.

THE ONE TRIGGER POINT THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THAT PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD WAS THROUGH ROOTS.

THE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES FROM ROOTS WAS WHAT WAS GOING INTO THE LOCAL FUND THAT ALLOWED FOR THAT PROJECT.

>> WE DON'T NEED A TON OF SPACE, A MASSIVE YARD.

THE THINGS WE VALUE ARE THE WALKABILITY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD, LIVELINESS.

>> Reporter: TWO YEARS INTO HIS LIFE IN SAN DIEGO, TODD IS HAPPY WITH HIS HOUSING SITUATION.

BUT AS HE AND HIS WIFE CONSIDER HAVING KIDS, THE ONLY FAMILY-SIZED HOUSING OPTIONS THEY SEE ARE OUT OF THEIR PRICE RANGE.

>> IN AN IDEAL WORLD, THERE WOULD BE LOTS OF OPTIONS AT THAT TWO TO THREE BEDROOM SIZE THAT WEREN'T JUST SINGLE FAMILY HOMES BUILT IN THE '70s THAT NEED WORK.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, THOSE FAMILY-SIZED HOUSING OPTIONS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

ESPECIALLY IN SAN DIEGO'S WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS.

MOST OF THE NEW APARTMENTS HERE ARE STUDIOS AND ONE BEDROOMS.

>>> IT SUCKS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC.

>> ASHLEY IS A TEACHER AT UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE COMMUTES UP AND DOWN THE 805 EVERY DAY.

>> IF I AM AWESOME AND I LEAVE AT 7:00 A.M., IT WILL TAKE ME 20 MINUTES.

IF I LEAVE AT 7:30 OR 7:45, IT COULD TAKE UP TO 30 TO 45 MINUTES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE EVENINGS ARE WORSE.

IT CAN TAKE AN HOUR TO GET HOME.

>> IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING.

WHAT EVENTS I PLAN TO DO AFTER WORK.

IF I CAN HAVE TIME TO HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE OR GO CATCH A HAPPY HOUR OR SOMETHING.

I MISS OUT ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS BECAUSE I WON'T GET HOME UNTIL 8:00.

>> Reporter: IT'S PROBABLY THE REGION'S WORST FREEWAY FOR COMMUTERS.

TRAFFIC BACKS UP FOR MILES EVERY MORNING.

IN THE EVENING, THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE CAN BE A NIGHTMARE.

>> WE HAVE A BIG SEPARATION BETWEEN WHERE THE JOB CENTERS ARE AND WHERE PEOPLE LIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN IS THE CEO OF CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS TOO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T LIVE CLOSE TO THEIR JOBS.

THAT MEANS SITTING IN TRAFFIC.

>> IT'S REALLY PAINFUL.

YOU HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME STRESSED OUT IN YOUR CAR.

THAT MEANS YOU HAVE LESS TIME AT HOME, LESS TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY.

THAT'S JUST A REAL DRAIN ON PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: IT MEANS LOTS OF POLLUTION.

>> YOU HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION OF LIVING CLOSE TO THE FREEWAY.

THEN THERE'S BURNING FOSSIL FUELS, ALL THE CARBON.

>> Reporter: THAT'S CHRIS ROBERTS FROM SAN DIEGO 350, A CLIMATE ADVOCACY GROUP.

TRAFFIC IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN THE REGION.

>> THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE IS CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS.

>> Reporter: WHY ARE THEY DRIVING ON THE 805?

IT'S THE LARGEST JOB CENTER IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, WITH OVER 169,000 EMPLOYEES.

THERE ARE ONLY 20,000 HOMES IN THE AREA.

WHILE THERE ARE PLACES TO LIVE, THERE AREN'T ENOUGH FOR ALL THE WORKERS.

>> HISTORICALLY, YOU WEREN'T EVEN ALLOWED TO BUILD HOUSES.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO STATEHOUSING DATA, ONLY 336 HOMES WERE PERMITTED.

OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS IN SAN DIEGO, RENTS ROSE SLOWER IN PLACES WHERE LOTS OF HOMES WERE PERMITTED.

THE CITY IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH A UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY PLAN.

IT WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR AND UPDATED ZONING TO ALLOW FOR 30,000 NEW HOMES IN THE AREA.

NOT EVERYBODY IS HAPPY.

>> THE ROADWAYS ARE THE MAIN THING.

WE DON'T HAVE THE ROADS -- WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR THE TRAFFIC THAT IT'S GOING TO GENERATE.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN LIVES IN UNIVERSITY CITY AND STARTED UC NEIGHBORS FOR RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.

>> WE NEED HOUSING FOR THE CITY.

WE ARE MERELY ASKING FOR IT TO BE DONE IN A RESPONSIBLE AND SENSIBLE MANNER.

>> Reporter: THE NEW HOMES WOENTD WON'T BE AFFORDABLE.

>> MOST IS LUXURY HOUSING.

THEY ARE ADDING.

THAT GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THE CITY SAYS IT'S TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> Reporter: WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS HOUSE AND THESE HOPES IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THEY ARE MID-MARKET SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE IS NEARLY $1 MILLION.

THE AVERAGE RENT IS OVER $3,000.

>> IT'S EXPENSIVE.

I DO HAVE SOME COLLEAGUES THAT ACTUALLY LIVE UP THERE.

IT'S ALWAYS JUST KIND OF THE JOKE THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: MORE HOUSING COULD MEAN A CHANCE TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE SHE TEACHES.

>> IF UTC GOT A LITTLE AREA THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE NORTH PARK OR THAT STYLE, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY MOVE.

IT'S NOT MY FIRST CHOICE TO DRIVE OVER AN HOUR HOME EVERY DAY.

>> THAT SERIES IS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY ESTIMATES 400,000 PEOPLE COULD LOSE FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.

>>> A NEW TEST FOR COLON CANCER.

>> THE CONVENTION CENTER IS TURNED INTO A MINI-MASTERPIECE.

>>> SAN DIEGO WILL CHARGE FOR PARKING IN BALBOA PARK.

WE WILL HEAR HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST.

>> Reporter: PAID PARKING WILL START WITH THE INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS ALONG 6th AVENUE, BALBOA DRIVE AND PARK BOULEVARD.

THEY WILL CHARGE THE CITY STANDARD RATE OF $2.50 PER HOUR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH A MAXIMUM STAY OF FOUR HOURS.

A COUNCIL MEMBER SAYS HE HOPES THE CHARGES WILL ENCOURAGE MORE VISITORS TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN TRANSIT IN RECENT YEARS, HE HAS GOTTEN BETTER AND SAFER.

WE HAVE INCREASED THE FREQUENCY OF SERVICE, ADDED SECURITY, EMPHASIZE CLEANLINESS AND KEPT FARES AFFORDABLE.

PUBLIC TRANSIT HAS HIGH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SCORES.

MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN CARS ARE CHOOSING TO TAKE TRANSIT INSTEAD.

>> Reporter: A VOTE TO CHARGE FOR THE LOTS IN BALBOA PARK IS A FEW MONTHS AWAY.

THE CITY IS PLANNING ON A TIERS STRUCTURE WITH THE MOST CENTRAL LOTS COSTING $12 PER DAY AND LOWER DEMAND COSTING $6.

RESIDENTS WOULD PAY THE CHEAPER RATE AT ALL OF THE LOTS.

EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WOULD ALSO HAVE FREE PARKING IN SOME OF THE LOTS.

PARK VISITORS AND INSTITUTIONS LARGELY OPPOSED THE PLAN ON MONDAY.

SOME RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR NEW REVENUE.

>> WE ARE PLEASED THE MONEY FROM THE PARKING FEES WILL BE SPENT IN THE PARK.

BUT WE NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT THE PARK IS DEEPLY UNDERRESOURCED.

THE PARK WILL CONTINUE TO NEED SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM THE CITY.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED A BUDGET THAT ASSUMES PAID PARKING WILL BE APPROVED.

IF THEY CAN'T AGREE ON THE SPECIFICS, IT WILL LIKELY HAVE TO CUT THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET FURTHER.

>>> MONTHS AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED, SOME ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING REMOVED FROM STREETS IN VISTA.

THE NEW BIKE SAFETY MEASURES PROVED CONTROVERSIAL.

>> Reporter: DAVID RIDES HIS BIKE THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK IN VISTA.

HE NOTICED CHANGES ON HIS USUAL BIKE ROUTE.

>> A LITTLE SURPRISED TO SEE THE EXTENT THAT THEY TOOK FOR THE PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: IN MARCH, CITY BEGAN BIKE LANE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING INSTALLING LANES.

>> I HAVE MIXED EMOTIONS.

I DO LIKE RIDING MY BIKE.

ANYTHING TO PROTECT ME FROM CARS ZIPPING ALONG AT 50 MILES AN HOUR IS APPRECIATED.

>> Reporter: SOON AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED, SOME RESIDENTS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NEW FEATURES.

>> IT COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR CARS THAT ACCIDENTALLY PULL IN THERE, GO OUT OF CONTROL MAYBE, WRECK THEIR SUSPENSION.

THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF CONTROVERSY.

>> Reporter: SOME DRIVERS COMPLAINED THEY COULDN'T SEE THEM.

THEY SAID THE SAFETY MEASURES WERE ACTUALLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS.

TAKING AWAY SPACE TO PULL OVER IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

>> I'M NOT CONVINCED THESE CURBS THAT WERE IN BETWEEN THE PLASTIC BOLLARDS MADE IT SAFER.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR HEARD FROM BOTH MOTORISTS AND CYCLISTS AGAINST THE SAFETY FEATURES.

>> CYCLISTS WEREN'T CONVINCED IT WAS SAFER.

THERE'S NO QUESTION SOME ABSOLUTELY LOVED THEM.

SOME CYCLISTS HATE THEM.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF OTHER RESIDENTS DIDN'T WANT THEM.

>> Reporter: HE PUT THE ITEM FORWARD TO HAVE THE NEWLY INSTALLED BERMS REMOVED.

THEY AGREED.

>> PEOPLE ARE BIKING.

THEY ARE WALKING.

THEY ARE USING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

THEY WANT THE CITY TO HAVE A COMMITMENT TO SAFETY.

IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE GONE BACKWARDS.

>> Reporter: SHE THINKS RATHER THAN A FULL REMOVAL, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE NEW SAFETY FEATURES.

>> DIDN'T HAVE TO REMOVE ALL THE BERMS.

WE COULD HAVE LEFT IT FOR A YEAR AND ASSESSED WHAT IS GOING ON.

ARE WE HAVING ISSUES WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY ACCESS?

ARE WE HAVING MORE ACCIDENTS?

WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE BECAUSE THAT DECISION IS IN THE PAST.

IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

>> Reporter: THE SAFETY MEASURES WERE PART OF A $1.5 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.

REMOVING THEM WILL COST THE CITY $200,000.

>> NOT ONLY WAS IT A BAD DECISION FOR SAFETY, BUT IT IS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THAT.

I HAVE A LOT OF S IN MY DIRECT THAT $200,000 OR MORE COULD HAVE ADDRESSED.

>> THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

SOMETIMES IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

OUR JOB AS THE CITY COUNCIL, MY JOB AS MAYOR IS TO DO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

>> Reporter: CREWS WILL CONCENTRATE ON REMOVAL NEAR SYCAMORE AVENUE AND MELROSE DRIVE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

>>> MORE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION TO UC SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR THAN EVER BEFORE.

THE UNIVERSITY EXPECTS RECENT FEDERAL POLICIES TO IMPACT STUDENTS' DECISIONS TO STUDY HERE.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO HAS OFFERED ADMISSION TO NEARLY 7,500 INTERNATIONAL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST NUMBER IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THE INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS HAPPENED ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEM THIS YEAR.

JIM OVERSEES ENROLLMENT AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> PART OF OUR THINKING IS THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE ADMISSION CYCLE, WHEN WE HAVE SEEN VARIOUS THINGS THE FEDERAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL ARE DOING, THAT HAVE REALLY INCREASED UNCERTAINTY AND ANY NUMBER OF OTHER EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH STUDENTS' HEADS, WE HAVE EVER REASON TO THINK THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO WILL ACCEPT OUR OFFER OF ADMISSION AND COME HERE IS GOING TO PROBABLY BE LOWER.

>> Reporter: THIS SPRING, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVOKED VISAS OF 35 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO.

IT LATER RESTORED HALF OF THEM.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO REVOKE VISAS FROM CHINESE STUDENTS.

THEY ARE THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POPULATION AT UC SAN DIEGO.

UNIVERSITY STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS PERSPECTIVE STUDENTS' QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OFFICES ON THE CAMPUS THAT ARE TRYING TO BE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

BY THE TIME THE FALL COMES, WE HOPE THEY WILL HAVE FELT LIKE THEY ARE AS INFORMED AS THEY CAN BE, EVEN IF WE CAN'T CONTROL EVERYTHING IMPACTING THEIR DECISION.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS CONSIDER THE BUDGET WHEN MAKING ADMISSION DECISIONS.

INTERNATIONAL AND OUT OF STATE STUDENTS PAY THREE TIMES AS MUCH TUITION AS CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS AT ABOUT $56,000 A YEAR.

>> THAT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT WE GIVE MORE AID TO THE IN-STATE STUDENTS.

IT'S VERY COMPLEX.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY PART OF THE PLANNING HERE.

IT HAS TO BE.

THAT'S PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE AS WE BALANCE THINGS OUT.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO ADMITTED ABOUT 6% FEWER INCOMING FRESHMEN FROM CALIFORNIA THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THE UNIVERSITY WILL KNOW THE MAKEUP OF THIS YEAR'S CLASS LATER THIS FALL.

>>> RECENTLY, KPBS REPORTER JACOB AIR PRODUCED A DIGITAL SERIES.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OUR LOCAL SOCCER CULTURE.

NOW HE HAS THIS STORY FROM CITY HEIGHTS ABOUT A YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM THAT IS SUPPORTING SAN DIEGO'S REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AT THIS PARK IN SAN DIEGO'S CITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME IS BRINGING TOGETHER YOUNG REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK.

>> THE MOMENT WE STARTED OFF HERE, IT WAS ALREADY -- SOCCER WAS TAKING OFF IN CITY HEIGHTS AND SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THESE FRIENDS CAME TO THE U.S. AS CHILDREN.

>> BEFORE THIS PROGRAM, I DIDN'T PLAY ANY SOCCER LEAGUES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THIS PROGRAM ACTUALLY TAUGHT ME HOW TO KICK A BALL.

>> HIT IT.

>> Reporter: ON THE BASKETBALL COURTS, THEY GO OVER THE FUNDAMENTALS, TRAIN AND PLAY A STREET STYLE OF SOCCER.

>> WE DO PRACTICES.

WE HAVE GAMES, TOO.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, ON SATURDAY, THERE'S A TOURNAMENT FOR THE GIRLS.

>> Reporter: THESE 18-YEAR-OLD COUSINS JOINED PROGRAM.

>> I PLAYED BEFORE I JOINED THIS PROGRAM.

I WOULD COME TO THE PARK DOWN THERE.

I WOULD JUST PLAY.

ONE DAY I SAW MISS ANNA AND HER PLAYERS JUST TRAINING.

I ASKED IF I COULD JOIN HER.

EVER SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN PLAYING WITH HER.

>> Reporter: THE NO COST SOCCER CLINICS ARE PART OF A PROGRAM PUT ON BY A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION CALLED YOUNG AND PROSPEROUS.

IT'S FUNDED BY GRANTS AND DONATIONS.

ANNA DIAZ IS DIRECTOR OF SPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

>> WE HAVE YOUTH ALL THE WAY FROM FIFTH GRADE TO SENIORS.

WE HELP THEM WITH THE BASIC FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCCER.

AS SOON AS THEY GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, THEN WE START REACHING OUT TO CLUBS THAT ARE WILLING TO SPONSOR THE YOUTH.

WE MAKE THE CONNECTIONS WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: DIAZ HELPED ORGANIZE FREE YOUTH SOCCER FOR A DECADE.

SHE SAYS THE KIDS SHARE THEIR CULTURE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND FIND WAYS TO COMMUNICATE DESPITE LANGUAGE BARRIERS.

>> BECAUSE OF SOCCER, IT WAS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE WHERE WE WERE ALL TALKING.

>> Reporter: IN THIS PART OF THE CITY, DIAZ SAYS THERE'S A LACK OF ACCESS TO ORGANIZED SOCCER BECAUSE OF COSTS.

THEY PROVIDE ALL THE EQUIPMENT THE PLAYERS NEED.

>> IF I NEEDED CLEATS, THEY HELPED ME WITH THAT.

I IF I NEEDED SHOES, THEY HELP ME WITH THAT.

THEY HELPED ME.

THEY WOULD BE LIKE HUGE PART OF MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: DIAZ SAYS THEY OFFER A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT OFF THE PITCH, TOO.

>> SOCCER IS JUST THE HOOK.

IT'S MORE MENTORING.

WE PREP THEM FOR COLLEGE.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES TUTORING AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE ON TOP OF THEIR GRADES.

PLAYING SOCCER ALSO HELPS.

>> DURING THE FALL SEASON, I WAS STRESSED OUT WITH COLLEGE AND APPLYING.

IT HELPS ME MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

IT WAS JUST A LITTLE MOMENT WHERE I COULD JUST GET AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND STUFF.

IT HELPS ME A LOT.

>> I STARTED WITH THE PROGRAM BY PLAYING SOCCER.

THEY WERE HELPING ME ACADEMICALLY.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM PLAYED A ROLE FOR SOME OF THE YOUTH TO ACHIEVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

THIS 17-YEAR-OLD HAS A FULL RIDE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP TO UC RIVERSIDE.

THE 19-YEAR-OLD CONTINUED WITH SOCCER THANKS TO A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE MASTERS UNIVERSITY.

>> HERE I AM PLAYING COLLEGE SOCCER EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T PLAY HIGH SCHOOL.

I CONTINUALLY WORKING HARD AND LISTEN TO MY COACHES.

>> Reporter: IT'S PERSONAL FOR DIAZ.

SHE REMEMBERS COMING FROM MEXICO AS A CHILD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO AFOR THE SOCCER IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I ALSO GOT SPONSORED.

I WAS HELPED A LOT BY PEOPLE TAKING ME COMING AND GOING.

WHERE I GREW UP, THERE WASN'T A LOT OF SPORTS, ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS.

IF YOU WANT TO PLAY, YOU HAVE TO PAY.

I THINK IT'S A WAY OF GIVING BACK.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE INSPIRING OTHERS.

>> MOSTLY ABOUT SOCCER.

IT TAUGHT ME DISCIPLINE PART, KEEP SHOWING UP, KEEP SHOWING UP.

I KEPT SHOWING UP.

>> Reporter: SOCCER ISN'T FOR EVERYONE.

NOW THE ORGANIZATION HAS BASKETBALL AND DANCE PROGRAMS, GIVING MORE KIDS THE SAME SHOT.

>> THE AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY THEY HAVE, ALL THESE PROGRAMS, IT REALLY HELPS PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT FROM HERE.

ACTUALLY MAKES THOSE PEOPLE FEEL AT HOME AND WELCOME.

>> Reporter: THE SUCCESS STORIES ARE BRINGING DIAZ'S STORY FULL CIRCLE.

IT'S BRINGING IMMIGRANT YOUTH TOGETHER ON A TEAM THAT FEELS LIKE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M ELIZABETH SANCHEZ.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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