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REPORTS <br />65A. IMMIGRATION LEGAL DEFENSE FUND OPTIONS (UNIVERSAL <br />REPRESENTATION) {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5, 1} - City Attorney's Office <br />The following spoke on the matter: <br />1. Alexis Nava Teodoro, spoke in support of providing funding for a Legal <br />Defense Fund and to pursue Vera Institute grant; City to be an example for <br />other communities to follow by providing universal representation. <br />2. Jennifer Koh, Director of Immigration Clinic at Western State College of Law <br />and also a Law Professor, supports options d and e, and possibly a; <br />understand City is facing budget crisis, but services are critical. <br />3. Sabrina Rivera, attorney with Immigration Clinic, co -joined support for <br />funding immigration defense program. <br />Council discussion ensued. <br />Councilmember Tinajero, thanked staff and speakers; motion to approve as <br />recommended by staff, seconded by Councilmember Sarmiento. <br />City Attorney Carvalho, indicated that many options presented for City Council <br />consideration, but will need to select one or more and direct staff to follow up on <br />selection. <br />Councilmember Villegas, noted that cost to provide services through Vera <br />Institute is estimated to be between $500,00041,000,000 on an annual <br />reoccurring basis. <br />Councilmember Solorio, asked if Department of Justice is mandated to provide <br />legal representation; asked if proposal would represent only Santa Ana <br />residents; concerned with providing representation when side -switching occurs. <br />Sameer Ashar, representing UCI Immigration Center, conveyed that Department <br />of Justice is not mandated nor do they provide legal services although they post <br />a referral services flier; Orange County does not have any free deportation <br />defense services; noted that Public Counsel has provided services to Santa Ana <br />jail inmates but were orientation services only; any seed funds provided would <br />only be used for Santa Ana residents. <br />City Attorney Carvalho, commented on the estimated cost for some of the <br />options presented; need allocation of funds and staff in order to recommend a <br />program that will be successful. <br />Councilmember Sarmiento, thanked staff for options; noted that initial matter <br />was presented with idea that this program would be a catalyst for other funding <br />sources such as UCI, MALDEF, etc.; City to consider joint powers authority with <br />other jurisdictions such as City of Anaheim, who have expressed interest in <br />providing same services; City may be hub for information and referral services; <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 13 MAY 16, 2017 <br />10A-13 <br />