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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />JANUARY 21, 2020 <br />TITLE <br />APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH <br />IMMIGRANT DEFENDERS LAW CENTER <br />FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL DEFENSE <br />SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO <br />EXCEED $180,000 TO BE FUNDED BY THE <br />GENERALFUND <br />/s/Kristine Ridge <br />CITY MANAGER <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />❑ <br />As Recommended <br />❑ <br />As Amended <br />❑ <br />Ordinance on V Reading <br />❑ <br />Ordinance on 2i1 Reading <br />❑ <br />Implementing Resolution <br />❑ <br />Set Public Hearing For_ <br />X61►II110%11I101111107 <br />FILE NUMBER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Immigrant Defenders Law Center to provide <br />immigration legal defense services to Santa Ana residents, for a term beginning February 1, 2020 <br />and ending October 31, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $180,000, subject to non -substantive <br />changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The foreign -born population in Santa Ana represents an important and diverse share of our <br />community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2016 American Community Survey, <br />approximately 153,900 immigrants reside in Santa Ana-46 percent of the total population. Of those, <br />102,000 are non-U.S. citizens. Furthermore, four out of five children in Santa Ana have at least one <br />immigrant parent —and the vast majority of those children are U.S. citizens.). In response to concerns <br />expressed by City residents, in addition to advocacy efforts by community organizers, the City has <br />played an active role in supporting immigrants in Santa Ana. <br />On October 17, 2017, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vera <br />Institute of Justice to join their SAFE (Safety and Fairness for Everyone) Network to be eligible for <br />one-time funding to support immigration legal defense services, along with on -going technical <br />assistance and training, data collection, and research support. At this same meeting, the City Council <br />also approved an agreement with Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) to serve as the City's <br />legal service provider (LSP) to provide immigration legal defense services. These services are <br />provided under the universal representation model, which is publicly funded deportation defense for <br />all. <br />Under the universal representation model, ImmDef provided full -scope removal defense assistance <br />to individuals, regardless of the immigration relief available. Whereas traditional legal service <br />programs may identify eligibility for representation through screening for viable immigration relief, the <br />universal representation model ensures each client, regardless of potential relief, is given an <br />opportunity to be heard. ImmDef works closely with community -based organizations, such as Building <br />Healthy Communities, legal service providers, and other immigration advocates to ensure that their <br />services are accessible to the Santa Ana community. <br />251-1 <br />