HomeMy WebLinkAbout20A - AA IMMIGRATIONREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
JUNE 20, 2017
TITLE:
APPROVAL OF AN APPROPRIATION
ADJUSTMENT FOR AN IMMIGRATION
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
CITY-MKNj<GER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on ll" Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Approve an appropriation adjustment of $65,000 from the Clerk of the Council - Salaries Regular
account and appropriate the same amount into the City Manager's Office - Contracts Services -
Professional account for an immigration legal defense fund.
DISCUSSION
On May 16, 2017, the Santa Ana City Council, by a vote of 4-2, directed staff to further pursue five
options relating to immigration legal defense options that were presented:
• Partner with immigrant defenders or other established providers of legal services
• Establish a joint powers authority
• Establish a central location for referral of services
• Provide funding for a legal defense fund, and
• Pursue the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) support grant.
These options were developed as a result of a meeting hosted by the City Attorney on March 8,
2017 with legal service providers, private stakeholders, and City Staff, as well as subsequent
information gathering. At the same City Council meeting on May 16, 2017, the City Council directed
staff to agendize an appropriation adjustment of $65,000 of remaining voter outreach funds from the
Clerk of the Council Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget to be utilized as seed money for a legal defense
fund. Upon approval of the appropriation adjustment, the $65,000 will become available to
support a legal defense fund, or to support any of the options listed above per City Council
direction. Staff is continuing to evaluate all immigration legal defense options for consideration
by the City Council.
Regarding the Vera grant funding opportunity to join the SAFE Cities Network and provide
universal legal representation, staff worked with partners from UC Irvine School of Law Immigrant
Rights Clinic, Western State University Immigration Clinic, Resilience OC, and others, to prepare
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Approval of an Appropriation Adjustment for an Immigration Legal Defense Fund
June 20, 2017
Page 2
a proposal in response to Vera's Request for Proposals (RFP). The proposal was due and
submitted to Vera on Friday, June 9, 2017. Although the proposal has been submitted, Vera will
allow applicants to modify their proposal during the review process. Attached is the proposal
submitted to Vera (Exhibit 1).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 - Community Health, Livability,
Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #6 Focus projects and programs on improving the health
and wellness of all residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The appropriation adjustment will appropriate $65,000 from the Clerk of the Council's fiscal year
2016-17 Salaries -Regular account (no. 01107031-61000) into the City Manager's Office -
Contract Services -Professional account (no. 01105015-62300).
Robert C. Cortez
Deputy City Manager
City Manager's Office
Mafia D. Huizar
Clerk of the Council
Exhibit 1: Vera Institute of Justice proposal
APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS:
Francisco Gutierrez Li
Executive Director 'ice
Finance and Management Services Agency
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City of Santa Ana, California:
Proposal to Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network
The City of Santa Ana (the "City") is pleased to respond to the Vera Institute of Justice's
("Vera") invitation to submit a proposal for the City to be included in the SAFE (Safety and
Fairness for Everyone) Cities Network. The City previously set forth in its Letter of Interest the
need for a legal representation program for immigrants facing deportation in Santa Ana and
Orange County more generally. Given the strong community support for establishing such a
program, on May 16, 2017, the Santa Ana City Council voted to further pursue several courses
of action aimed at facilitating creation of such a program. The City Council's action included a
directive for the City to pursue participation in the SAFE Cities Network through Vera as well as
provide funding for a legal defense fund and partner with legal service providers such as the
Immigrant Defenders Law Center in Los Angeles.
The SAFE Cities Network will bring together jurisdictions across the country that are committed
to providing legal representation to immigrants in removal (deportation) proceedings while
keeping families together and communities safe. The City understands that Vera will review
proposals through a competitive, nationwide process, and the criteria for selection includes the
commitment of public dollars to support legal representation for immigrants in removal
proceedings (and that public-private partnerships will also be considered); commitment to due
process and fairness through representation of immigrants in removal proceedings, with a
priority for those who are detained, and a "universal representation" model that does not prohibit
services to any categories of immigrants in removal proceedings other than those based on
income requirements; intent and pathway to dedicate funds after the first year; the ability to
launch a program in a timely manner; the ability to ensure data collection for Vera to support
program reporting and evaluation; the assignment of a high-level member of city staff to act as
liaison to the network; the viability of local program operation plan, including partnerships with
qualified legal services providers(s); and geographic diversity across the network.
1) Jurisdiction Contact Information
Agency/Office Name: City of Santa Ana
Address: 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Primary Contact Name and Title: Robert Cortez, Deputy City Manager
Primary Contact Telephone: (714) 647-5200
Primary Contact Email: rcortezSC)santa-ana.org
2) Describe how your jurisdiction will fund immigration legal services. Be specific as to
amounts, timing and certainty, and a description of the anticipated obstacles. Please specify
whether your jurisdiction plans to use of public funds and/or public-private partnerships. For
jurisdictions that have not yet pledged public funding, include the anticipated timeline and level
of certainty of obtaining public funding this year. Describe what strategies you will employ to
sustain funding for immigration legal services beyond the first year
Immigration legal services will be funded through a public-private partnership. With respect to
public funding, the City anticipates voting on whether to appropriate $65,000 towards the effort
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at a City Council meeting on June 20, 2017. Additional monies may become available
throughout the fiscal year.
With respect to private funding, a coalition of attorneys, community organizations, law school
faculty and other supporters have been speaking with potential private funders (including bar
associations, foundations and individual donors) and are poised to begin collecting pledges for
remaining fands necessary so that the provision of legal representation can begin as soon as
possible. The process of incorporating a separate nonprofit organization to accept contributions,
called the Orange County Justice Fund ("OC Justice Fund"), has already began. The OC Justice
Fund would provide both fundraising support and a vehicle for local community voices to have
input into the implementation of a removal defense program to ensure maximum effectiveness
through an independent Board of Directors.
It is estimated that with a matching grant from Vera, private funds in the amount of $120,000 -
$220,000 will be required (for total seed money of $250,000-$350,000). To sustain funding
beyond the first year, a combined strategy of continued public funding from the City of Santa
Ana (subject to City Council approval), potential funding from other jurisdictions and private
funding will be employed.
3) Describe the type of immigration legal services that your jurisdiction will provide.
Specify the amount of program resources that will be dedicated to representation in removal
defense and whether that representation will be for detained or non -detained individuals. If you
plan to serve both detained and non -detained immigrants, provide the anticipated breakdown of
representation between the two populations. To the extent that you plan to provide services in
addition to removal defense, please specify what amount of program resources will be allocated
for these additional services, and what those services will include (e.g., affirmative applications
with USCIS, citizenship drives, Know -Your -Rights presentations, etc.).
It is anticipated that all (or virtually all) program resources will be dedicated to the representation
of immigrants in removal defense, and priority will go to those who are detained. In recognition
of the fact that detained immigrants may become eligible for release on bond, a small portion of
the services are likely to go to the representation of non -detained clients facing removal after
they are released from detention. Effort will be made to place clients who are released from
detention with another attorney or provider for continued representation. However, this policy is
intended to leave flexibility for the legal service provider to choose to continue providing
representation to formerly detained clients on a case-by-case basis if that is determined to be in
the best interests of the client.
Other institutions and providers in Orange County such as the Public Law Center, Advancing
Justice, Rep. Lou Correa's office, World Relief and Orange County Congregation Community
Organization have been able to effectively offer citizenship drives, assistance with affirmative
applications, and know -your -rights presentations, such that this program would not seek to
provide services in these areas.
1 The first year seed money amount may depend on whether physical space and other needs can
be secured on an in-kind basis.
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4) Estimate the number of clients your jurisdiction expects to provide representation for
over a one-year period. Based on your anticipated breakdown of legal services described in
Question 3 above, please specify the number of removal defense cases that you expect to provide
representation for and the expected costper case.
Assuming that private and public funds in the amount of $250,000-$350,000 are raised for the
first year of the program, the City hopes that the OC Justice Fund will contract initially with an
established legal service provider to staff a pilot universal representation program with two
junior- to mid-level attorneys and necessary paralegal support. Those attorneys (and paralegal)
would be employees of the legal service provider and dedicated to removal defense
representation. The City has been advised by the UC Irvine Immigrant Rights Clinic and
Western State College of Law Immigration Clinic that each attorney can be expected to handle
approximately 30-35 cases per year, for a one-year case impact of approximately 60-70 cases.
(This number is necessarily rough, given variables such as the experience of the attorney,
complexity of any given case, the time required to complete a case, and potential release from
detention, but it is roughly consistent with a per case cost estimate of $5,000-$6,000). The City
also welcomes input from Vera on a realistic number of clients that can be served.
5) What legal services providers ("LSPs") are expected to provide the legal services under
your program? Please speck whether you would like Vera's assistance in identifying local
LSPs to provide these services. If more than one LSP will provide services, please describe the
division of services/funding between the multiple LSPs. If you have not yet selected your LSPs,
please describe your proposed process. If you have selected your LSPs, please include a letter of
supportfrom the LSPs describing their qualifications.
The long-term vision of the program would be to develop an independent, Orange County -based
non-profit legal services provider dedicated to representation and advocacy for detained
individuals facing deportation. The OC Justice Fund would facilitate the creation of — and
potentially become — this new service provider. In the first year, services would be provided by
an organization with sufficient expertise in removal defense and a commitment to due process in
the immigration system. The City has tentatively identified the hntnigrant Defenders Law
Center based on the recommendation of the UC Irvine School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic
and Western State University Immigration Clinic as a potential provider of those services.
6) What is your anticipated start date for providing immigrant legal representation in your
jurisdiction? Please describe your program implementation timeline. Please indicate if you
have already started providing legal services.
The anticipated start date for providing legal services through the pilot program is Fall of 2017.
The City is not currently providing services to detained immigrants, and there is no non-profit
organization (or non-profit attorney) in Orange County currently dedicated to representing
detained immigrants in removal defense. Accordingly, the staff for a new program would need
to be hired or recruited to Orange County. However, several non-profit providers and law school
clinics are providing limited support to detained immigrants in Orange County (including Santa
Ana), and thus have meaningful expertise and familiarity with the detention facilities and with
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removal defense practice that can be leveraged to facilitate the establishment of the new
program.
'n For representation of immigrants in removal proceedings, describe your plan for
implementing a "universal representation model." By "universal representation" we mean
that clients are of representation without a preliminary assessment for eligibility of relief,
and that clients with criminal convictions are not excluded. Please specify any anticipated
criteria for representation (e.g., income eligibility guidelines, geographic restrictions, etc.).
a. Describe your plan for client intake. Be specific as to the population(s) that you propose
serving and how you will come into contact with clients for the first time. For example, how will
you intake detained immigrants and, where applicable, non -detained immigrants in removal
proceedings? Will you receive referrals for clients? Will you meet clients initially at the
detention facility, or at the court docket?
Consistent with Vera's vision, the program would offer representation to clients without a
preliminary assessment for eligibility for relief and would not seek to exclude clients on the basis
of having criminal history. The anticipated criteria for representation include income eligibility
(200% of federal poverty guidelines), and for those individuals who will be represented with
funds from the City of Santa Ana, residency in Santa Ana. If additional funding becomes
available from other jurisdictions or from private sources, then representation could be extended
to detained individuals who are not Santa Ana residents. The City understands that attorneys in
the program may reach capacity at some point during the first year, in which cases decisions
regarding representation and prioritization will be left to the discretion of the legal service
provider.
Client intake would take place primarily through on-site visits at the two facilities where ICE
detainees will be housed in Orange County: the James A. Musick facility in Irvine, and the Theo
Lacy facility in Orange. Currently, a Legal Orientation Program (LOP) run by the Public
Counsel Law Center takes place on a monthly basis at Musick, and it is possible that LOP may
be initiated at Theo Lacy in the upcoming year through an initiative by the non-profit
organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Assuming that LOP at either or both facilities
operate, then attorneys could perform case intake through the LOP. Given that many deportation
cases do not reach the immigration courts, intake at the detention facilities is critical and will
enable attorneys to assist clients who would be otherwise subject to summary removal (e.g.,
expedited removal, reinstatement, stipulated removals).
In addition to client intake at the detention facilities, intake may also take place in Santa Ana to
permit family members and friends of detained individuals to bring cases to the attention of the
program. The program would also receive referrals from other non-profit organizations in the
area.
8) How would a one-time catalyst grant (e.g., of $100,000) augment your plan to provide
removal defense services? How could such a grant help you build a program that will be
sustainable over time?
The one-time catalyst grant will provide a critical supplement to funding removal defense
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services in Orange County and facilitate the successful launch of the OC Justice Fund. Once
launched, the OC Justice Fund in collaboration with its pilot project partner could continue to
build momentum amongst community members, funders, and other jurisdictions.
9) Describe how you envision using Vera's in-kind support services to support your
program. Which services seem the most pertinent/needed in your jurisdiction? Please include
any additional relevant details. The menu of services includes: legal training for LSPs,
assistance with stakeholder relationships such as staff at the detention facility and court,
selection of LSPs, procurement, research and data reporting, and strategic communications
support.
The City appreciates the in-kind support services offered by Vera, and believes that collaboration
through Vera's national network will lend legitimacy and stability to the provision of deportation
defense services in Orange County. The most pertinent services appear to be assistance with
stakeholder relationships (particularly staff at the detention facilities), research and data
reporting, and strategic communications support. Vera's feedback with respect to the creation of
an infrastructure that will create the most promising conditions for long-term sustainability, the
promotion of due process and systemic reform in the immigration system will also be valuable.
10) Vera has created a secure online database and will be collecting data on the legal
services performed by the LSPs for the purposes of program management and reporting.
Please indicate your willingness and plan to ensure that the LSPs cooperate with Vera's
data collection efforts. In addition, what does your jurisdiction hope to demonstrate through
data in terms of measureable results?
The collection of data will facilitate the evaluation of the universal representation program and
provide a better picture of who is impacted by immigration enforcement and who/how they are
being helped, which can then support future efforts to secure funding for the legal representation
of detained immigrants at various levels. The City is willing to cooperate with Vera's data
collection efforts and will work with the service providers to ensure that data collection takes
place. (The budget numbers described in this proposal account for the hiring/staffing of a
paralegal, whose responsibilities can include assisting with data collection).
11) Describe the role that local government staff is expected to play in the program. Please
specify the amount of city staff time that will be committed to this program and the role that city
staff will play in supporting and promoting the program.
The City anticipates utilizing current staff and resources from the City Manager's Office, as well
as staff from other offices as needed, for the pilot program. Staff will participate in Vera's
required components of the program, including joining meetings and webinars, assisting with
data collection, and using City communications to disseminate information related to the City's
participation in the SAFE Cities network. Additionally, staff will liaise with the OC Justice Fund
partners.
5
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12) Describe your jurisdiction's willingness to participate in public communications and
media regarding the network. Please include any prior experience with similar
communications efforts related to your jurisdiction's pro -immigrant policies. Please identify any
organizations or individuals who you anticipate will be allies. Do you anticipate any backlash
over these efforts? If so, please identify any organization or individuals who you anticipate will
be vocal critics of the program.
Since the 2016 elections, the City of Santa Ana has emerged as a local, regional, even national,
leader in its efforts to embrace its diverse population and to promote the safety and security of its
local residents irrespective of immigration status.
Santa Ana's sanctuary policy—which received unanimous City Council support has been
recognized as a national model. See Lawrence Downes, A "Sanctuary City" Seizes the Moment,
and the Name, N.Y. TIMES (Mar. 3, 2017) (describing the Santa Ana, CA sanctuary ordinance as
"one of the boldest and most far-reaching sanctuary ordinances in the state."). Notably, the
Santa Ana ordinance applies to all residents, regardless of prior criminal history. See Jessica
I-wong, Santa Ana's Status as Sanctuary City Made Official, O.C. REGISTER (Jan. 19, 2017)
("Heeding pleas from residents during public comment, council members on Dec. 20 removed
the exceptions allowing the use of city resources in the cases of criminal defendants.").
On February 23, 2017, the City was notified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that the Intergovernmental Service
Agreement between the two agencies, commonly referred to as the ICE contract, was to be
terminated 90 days from receipt of the notice. This action followed prior action by the Santa
Ana City Council on December 6, 2016 to reduce the maximum capacity of ICE detainees at the
City's jail facility, which was in alignment with their plan to terminate the ICE contract by 2020.
One consequence of the termination of the ICE contract has been a significant loss of revenue for
the City. See Downes (describing cancellation of ICE contract for loss of $340,000 per month,
noting that "[t]he city accepted the bit, realizing how inappropriate it would be to call itself a
sanctuary while profiting from Mr. Trump's deportation policies"); City of Santa Ana, Press
Release, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Terminates Contract with City of
Santa Ana, Feb. 23, 2017, available at https:Hlocal.nixle.com/alert/5858499/.
A number of community-based organizations and several immigration law experts have worked
as allies with the City to design a universal representation for its residents. These allies include
Resilience Orange County; Orange County Immigrant Youth United; Asian Americans
Advancing Justice; Public Law Center; the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association; UC Irvine
School of Law Immigrants' Rights Clinic; and Western State College of Law Immigration
Clinic. These are many of the same organizations the City worked successfully with on its
sanctuary ordinance.
Some backlash related to the City's immigrant -friendly initiatives is inevitable. At the County
level, there exists a vocal movement of individuals who support the immigration enforcement
policies of the current Administration. However, the City expects that through proactive
communications and outreach efforts, it will be able to continue to build support for its more
welcoming policies.
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13) Please provide anything additional relevant information that you would like to include
in this RFP.
The need for removal defense legal services in Orange County is tremendous. Currently, there is
no non-profit organization — or even a single dedicated non-profit attorney — focusing
exclusively on the needs of the detained immigrant population in Orange County, despite the
existence of 838 ICE detention beds at two contracted facilities. Recently, the Orange County
Board of Supervisors voted to expand its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at
the Theo Lacy facility, which is expected to result in an increase of 120 detention beds in the
County (with the possibility of even higher numbers in the future).
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The following attachments are included with this proposal:
City Council Materials
1. Request for Council Action, Immigration Legal Defense Options, May 16, 2017
(recommending that City pursue inclusion in Vera Institute SAFE Cities Network) —
approved May 16, 2017 by majority Council vote
Media
2. Jessica Kwong, Santa Ana Wants to Create Legal Defense Fund for Immigration
Detainees Facing Deportation, O.C. REGISTER (May 17, 2017)
3. Erwin Chemerinsky, Create a Justice Fund for Universal Representation, O.C. REGISTER
(March 15, 2017)
Letters of Support
4. Letter of Support from Lindsay Toczylowski, Executive Director, Immigrant Defenders
Law Center
5. Letter of Support from Sameer Ashar and Annie Lai, Clinical Professors of Law and Co -
Directors, UC Irvine School of Law Immigrants' Rights Clinic
6. Letter of Support from Jennifer Lee Koh, Professor of Law & Director, Western State
College of Law Immigration Clinic
7. Letter of Support from Julie Marzouk, Assistant Clinical Professor & Co -Director, Dale
E. Fowler School of Law at Chapman University's Betty & Wylie Aitkin Family
Protection Clinic
8. Letter of Support from Norma Garcia Guillen
9. Letter of Support from Sandy Chiang, Program Manager, The California Endowment
10. Letter of Support from Jorge A. Alvarado, Director of Litigation, Training and Advocacy,
Public Law Center
11. Letter of Support from Eric Dominguez, President, Orange County Hispanic Bar
Association
12. Letter of Support from Abraham Medina, Executive Director, and Roberto Herrera,
Community Engagement Advocate, Resilience Orange County
13. Letter of Support from Faby Jacome, Program Coordinator & Deportation Defense
Organizer, Orange County Immigrant Youth United
14. Letter of Support from Sameer Ahmed, Staff Attorney, and Jennifer Rojas, Community
Engagement & Policy Advocate, American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California
15. Letter of Support from Sylvia Kim, Regional Director Asian Americans Advancing
Justice - OC
16. Letter of Support from Laura Kanter, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Youth Services,
LGBT Center OC
17. Letter of Support from Julio Perez, Executive Director, Orange County Labor Federation
20A-10
REQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
�.r
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
MAY 16, 2097
TITLE:
IMMIGRATION LEGAL DEFENSE OPTIONS
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
As Amended
Ordinance on 1" Reeding
Ordinance on 2M Reading
Implementing Resolullon
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
1. Discuss the various options identified by staff to facilitate providing legal representation to
those members of the community that are at risk for deportation and discuss whether to
further pursue any of the following alternatives:
a) Partner with Immigrant Defenders or Other Established Providers of Legal Services
b) Establish a Joint Powers Authority
c) Establish a Central Location for Referral of Services
d) Provide Funding for a Legal Defense Fund
e) Pursue Vera Institute Support Grant
2. Provide direction on a different option or
3. Decide not to take any further action.
DISCUS§ION
On February 21, 2017, a majority of the Santa Ana City Council voted to direct staff, in
consultation with the City Attorney's Office, to collaborate with state and county government, as
well as legal service providers and private stakeholders, to prepare to launch a coordinated
Initiative to provide access to legal representation to Santa Ana residents currently at risk of
removal and who cannot afford an attorney. A majority of the City Council also instructed that
staff provide an analysis of all legal, fiscal and organizational issues presented and report back to
the City Council with recommendations.
The population of Orange County Is approximately 3,169,776.' California is home to an
estimated 2.35 to 2.6 million undocumented immigrants. As of 2013, it was estimated that
i July 1, 2015 US Comes Numbers, hitps:l/wwcw.census.govlquickfactsltabl&TST045215Po6059
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Immigration Legal Defense Options
May 16, 2017
Page 2
Orange County had 247,600 undocumented immigrants? In response to the City Council's
direction of February 21, 2017, the law professors who direct the Wester State College of Law
immigration Clinic and the UCI Law School Immigrant Rights Clinic provided the City Attorney's
Office with a memo outlining Information on this subject and suggestions for follow-up. The
professors pointed to statistics which indicate that 68% of immigrants are unrepresented In
Immigration cases.3 Unrepresented detained immigrants are able to demonstrate their eligibility
for relief from deportation only 6% of the time, while those with lawyers succeed more than five
times as often.4 These statistics make It clear that there is a significant benefit to having an
attorney during immigration proceedings. Currently, the law provides for guaranteed legal
representation only In criminal cases where the defendant Is Indigent. While Immigration
proceedings are administrative In nature, the consequences can be equally serious.
In furtherance of the Council's direction, the City Attorney hosted a meeting on March 8,
2017 at the City with legal service providers, private stakeholders, and City Staff. The private
stakeholders that participated In the meeting were from Resilience OC, Orange County Immigrant
Youth United, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Orange County. The legal service
providers that participated In the meeting were from the Western State College of Law
Immigration Clinic, the UGI Lawn School Immigrant Rights Clinic, the Public Law Center, and two
lawyers from private law firms with particular knowledge of the legal services available to Indigent
Individuals subject to removal. During the meeting, a valuable exchange of ideas and a fruitful
discussion took place. As a result of the March 8P' meeting and subsequent information gathering,
the following options and recommendations regarding the potential framework for providing
access to legal representation as discussed in City Council Agenda Item 85A from February 21,
2017.
1. The City Should Take Actions That Will Reduce Fear in the Communi
Community stakeholders In conjunction with City staff noted that the residents of Santa
Ana have fear that often Inhibits them from seeking assistance for many Issues, not the least of
which are immigration related matters. Some of this fear may be a result of misinformation about
Immigration enforcement activities in the area and whether city police officers are extensions of
federal immigration officers. Community members feel strongly that addressing these fears by
way of education about an Individual's rights is important, Including the possibility of a "know your
rights" clinic of the type sponsored by groups like the ACLU. Community members and City Staff
noted that fear can have a broad effect on the community, Including lack of education for certain
youth that are kept at home by their parents due to immigration related fears. A downturn in
enrollment and/or attendance, affects the local school districts and community college districts
and results In revenue loss, which can affect services. Fear can also cause undocumented
3 Public Policy Institute of California, Just the Facts, "Undoemnented immigrants in California," March 2017,
kV,J/www.ppic.orgtmandpublicadon—shn masp?i=ll 18
5 See California Coati don for Universal Representation, Cal ornia's Due Process Crisis: Access to Legal Counsel for Detained
Immigrants (June 2016), available at vtyw Hila oon8enss/upioadd2Q(6/QGJacress to counsel Cai({oalftton
r�grt-201 b-06.odf
41d, note 3 at 7.
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Immigration Legal Defense Options
May 16, 2017
Page 3
Individuals to seek assistance from inexperienced, unlicensed, or unqualifled professionals who
often exploit them, causing additional fear and distrust. Some of these service providers, for
example, hold themselves out to be lawyers when in fact they are not licensed to practice law.
2. The City Should Take Actions That Will Build Trust with the Community
Community members also expressed that lack of trust, in conjunction with fear, prohibit
individuals from coming forward to obtain assistance that they may need. Often trust in
government is minimal due to preconceived notions brought with people from their place of birth
or misinformation about the role of local government In relation to the federal government.
Community members feel strongly that a partnership with grass roots organizations and/or
religious organizations may go a long way In building trust with the community because these
organizations have more day-to-day contact with residents than local or county government.
3.
a)
In Los Angeles, a pro bona law firm named Immigrant Defenders Law Center advocates
for universal representation in immigration matters and functions as a type of public defender
system for immigrants facing deportation. The Immigrant Defenders Law Centers is supported by
the Vera institute for Justices, Georgetown University Law Center, USC Gould School of Law,
Crittenton7, Skadden Foundations, MALDEF, California Community Foundation, and the
Episcopal Church In the Diocese of Los Angeles. Several of the legal practitioners that attended
the March 8th meeting advocated for a partnership with Immigrant Defenders Law Center and/or
supporting an expansion of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center to the Orange County area.
That option would likely require some monetary support from the City and/or non-profit entities
but has the advantage of a faster start-up.
b) Establish a Joint Powers Authority
California Government Code section 6502 allows two or more public entities, if authorized
by their governing boards or legislature, to enter into an agreement to jointly exercise any power
common to the contracting parties. The parties may also create a separate entity entitled a joint
powers authority. Government Code section 6503.5. A joint powers agreement or a joint powers
www.bnmddors
6 bttp://www.vemorw
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I haps://vnm.aksddtarollowsWps.oW
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Immigration Legal Defense Options
May 16, 2017
Page 4
authority may be one way for the City and another government agency, primarily, the County, to
join forces to provide legal representation to local residents for immigration proceedings.
However, this option would need further discussion, most notably, outreach to the County of
Orange If use of County public defenders is contemplated. One example of this type of JPA Is
the successful Tri -City Mental Health Center, a municipal Joint powers authority in Pomona to
provide mental health care services for residents of those cities.
c) Establlsh a Central Location for Referral of Services
The City of San Jose has an Office of Immigrant Affairs which is housed In the City
Manager's Office. The Officer of Immigrant Affairs provides resources and links to resources for
community members. The resources include a list of information such as links to lawyers,
refugee organizations, legal rights information, and Immigration information such as the DREAM
Act. The City of Santa Ana could establish a similar office which would compile a list of available
resources for individuals In the community and make them, available at the office and on the
Internet. This option would require the City to hire or assign a current City employee to the
position of project manager or community liaison. Funding for this position would have to be
Identified.
d) P%vide Funding for a Legal Defense Fun
The participants in the March 8g' meeting all agreed that there is a need for greater
coordination to increase the supply of qualified immigration attorneys in Orange County who are
willing and available to provide deportation defense to Indigent Individuals. They advocated for
training and leadership classes to develop a pool of competent immigration attorneys and legal
staff that can assist the community. The legal practitioners and taw school professors also
advocated for the creation of a dedicated unit with expertise and capacity for deportation defense;
provision of high-quality, holistic representation including funding for interpreters and experts;
flexibility to respond to enforcement practices; and eligibility restrictions limited to income only
and not criminal record. This vision is akin to the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and/or New
York Family immigrant Unity Project (NYFtUP) programs but would be started from the ground
floor in Orange County using those projects as a model. The legal practitioners and law school
professors envision a significant monetary contribution from the City of $1 million dollars and from
non -profits of $1 million dollars. Given the City's current budget constraints, It may not be the
most attainable option unless the funds came solely from non -profits. Furthermore, the Issue of
whether a screening process for Income and criminal background requirements would be used
and what that screening process would entail would need to be explored,
The cities of New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have all started legal
defense funds. Chicago recently approved a $1.3 million dollar legal defense fund. The money
In this fund will be split between two non-profits.s The City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles
9 hupJlbigswryap org(articleldl28do5tip6441ef8d327647843b322doides-counties-mull-imniigmut lent-fund-afteNWmps-
VM
66A-4
20A-14
Immigration Legal Defense Options
May 18, 2017
Page 5
County announced a $10 million dollar fund, with half coming from private donations and half
from public funds.10 The fund, entitled the L.A. Justice Fund, is a partnership between the City of
Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, the California Community Foundation, the Weingart
Foundation and the California Endowment."
In San Francisco, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development funds the
San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative. The Collaborative provides free, high
quality, culturally competent legal services on behalf of immigrant children and families in the San
Francisco area 12 The collaborative includes API Legal Outreach!, La Raza Community Outreach
Center, La Raza Centro Legal, Carecen SF, Pangea Legal Services, the Bar Association of San
Francisco, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Legal Services for Children, Center for Gender &
Refugee Studies, immigration Center for Women and Children, and Kids In Need of Defense
(KIND). The Collaborative also works closely with two private taw firms which provide pro bono
support.
a) Pursue Vera institute Su000rt Grant
Several participants in the March 81h meeting lead by the law professors have been
working on a Vera institute grant. The Vera institute is a non-profit organization with offices In
New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New Orleans. Their website is
www.vera.org. The Vera institute was one of the founding members of the NYFIIJP which is a
project where the Vera Institute has partnered with several groups including the City of Now York
to provide public defender services to immigrants In removal proceedings. The goal of the SAFE
Network will be to replicate the success of the New York program. The SAFE Network will
consist of 10-12 members with New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago as the
core members. The Vera Institute expects to add 8-8 members through the letter of interest
process.
The City sent Its letter of interest on April 28, 2017 and has already been contacted. If the City Is
selected to participate further It will have to submit a longer more detailed proposal. Members of
the SAFE Network will receive a one-time catalyst grant and in kind support from the Vera
Institute, The In kind support will include training for attorneys, assistance with the RFP process,
assistance negotiating contracts, information about best practices, conference calls with the
10 http; /www upr.arglsecdondthetwo-way!2016/12/201$06256417/1a4agal-defense-fund-cmated-to-aid-immaigmats facing -
deportation
St httpsJ/www.lamayor orstmayor-gmetd-armou=es4agal-fund-light-immigrout-rights
11 hupl/diildc,org/
20A-15
Immigration Legal Defense Options
May 16, 2017
Page 6
Network, progress and performance monitoring, access to date about the program that will be
collected, and participation for elected officials In media outreach and press releases. The
Catalyst Grant Fund currently has $1.5 million In total and the Institute anticipates providing
grants of varying amounts out of that money. The minimum grant per network member will be
$100,000. To receive the support the City must make a commitment of public dollars and as
written the current proposed commitment would be about $500,000 per year.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.
4101
� City Attorney
40' Sonia R. Carvalho
OF
OWILU Autt WHIRS to create regal aerense runa roc immigration detainees facing deportation... Page I of 4
ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
AM"
Santa Ana wants to create legal
immigration
defense fund for unnugration
detainees facing deportation
Gurmukh Singh's family comforts earn other during a news conference before he is
taken into custody after ICE hearing in Santa Ana, ICE's decision to take Mr. Singh
into custody Monday. May, 8, 2017, was based on a deportation order handed
down by an Immigration judge with the Department of Justice's Executive Office for
Immigration Review in 1999 Santa Ana aims to be the first city to consider a legal
defense fund for immigration detainees facing deportation, (Photo by Ken
Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)
http-llwww.ocregister.conV20171051171santa-aWAsrl-ycate-legal-defense-fund-for-im... 6/9/2017
awita rsna wants to create iegar cietense rung rot immigration detainees lacing deportation... Page 2 of 4
ByJESSICA KWONG I jkwong@scng.com I Orange 56 COMMENTS
County Register
PUBLISHED: May 17, 2017 at 5,34 pm I UPDATED: May 18, 20'17 at 8:31 am
SANTAANA — Immigration detainees facing deportation have no right to
government -appointed counsel, and Orange County lacks a nonprofit or
attorney devoted exclusively to providing legal defense for people in that
position, local law professors say.
And unlike Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago, no city in
Orange County has started an Immigration legal defense fund. On Tuesday,
May 16, Santa Ana took a leap to become the first.
The city council on a 4-2 vote, with council members Jose Solorio and Juan
Villegas dissenting and Mayor Miguel Pulido absent, directed staff to pursue
providing money for a legal defense fund, partnering with immigrant
defenders and legal service providers, establishing a central location for
referral services, establishing a joint powers authority and seeking a support
grant.
"Santa Ana would be the first city in O.C. to provide public funds for
Immigrant legal defense," said Sameer Asher, a clinical professor of law at UC
Irvine School of Law. "Santa Ana as a city has been taking steps that really no
other entity in the county has been courageous enough to take.
Orange County's second-largest city in December became the first In the
county p sanctuary p U.S. immigration
coon to adopt t a sanctua ordinance, and hese,. out its..._,._.,
and t-ustoms Enforcement contract at Santa Ana Jall to the point that the
federal agency terminated its detention agreement.
In February, the council directed staff to collaborate with legal service
providers and launch a coordinated imitative to provide access to legal
representation to Santa Ana residents at risk of removal who cannot afford an
attorney.
Pursuing a legal defense fund "is certainly a natural outgrowth of other steps
the city has taken," said Jennifer Koh, a law professor at the Western State
College of Law, which has helped Santa Ana get to this stage.
http://www,ocregister.com/2017/05/17/santa KIT8create-legal-defense-fund-for-im... 6/912017
aanta Lena wants to create legal defense tuna for immigration detainees facing deportation... Page 3 of 4
But Solorio raised concerns on how contributing to such a fund and the four
other initiatives would affect the city's general fund. In a budget work study
session earlier Tuesday, staff projected a deficit of $14.4 million for fiscal year
2017-18 and $19.5 million for fiscal year 2019.19.
"It's still very unclear how much money is being requested for this entire
endeavor,"Solorio said.
Councilman Vincent Sarmlento said his initial proposal wasn't to create
money over the long term for a legal defense fund, but to provide the catalyst
for other organizations to do so.
"This really wasn't intended for us to fund anything," he said. "Los Angeles is
doing a multimillion -dollar effort. Unfortunately, as many of you saw through
our budget situation, we are not In that position, but we can do some."
Sarmiento also made a motion, which was approved, to put about $65,000 in
the Clerk of the Council's budget that remains unused from a voter outreach
program last year toward the legal defense fund. Appropriating that money
requires another council vote.
Another option staff is pursuing Is establishing a joint powers authority with
Anaheim or other interested cities that may strengthen its eligibility for a
support grant from the Vera Institute, which has partnered with New York
City to provide public defender services to immigrants in removal
proceedings.
The Consulate of Mexico in Santa Ana signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County in March,
bolstering their capacity to provide free or low-cost counseling and legal
representation.
A solid network of pro bono attomeys exists, Koh said, but there a great need
for lawyers focused on detained immigrants,
"It is our hope that Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Orange mightjoin the effort (in
Santa Ana) and kind of say to their own residents that they have their back,"
Ashar said.
http://www,ocregister.coml20 l 7iO5l l 7fsanta-aLX&As,tbSVeate-legal-defense-fund-for-im... 6/9/2017
t;reate a Justice Lund for universal representation — Orange County Register Page 1 of S
NEWS
Create a justice fund for
universal representation
Molding signs that read "Protect Immigrants," pro -immigration demonstrators stand
on the steps of the Kenneth Hahn Halt of Administration in downtown los Angeles
on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016.
By Orange
,,. 0a
http:lfwvw.ocregister.com/2Ol7/O3/l6/created-for-universal-representation/ 6/9/2417
u:reate a,usuce tuntt for universal representation — Orange County Register Page 2 of S
Orange County desperately needs a justice Fund to ensure that all who face
possible deportation can be represented by an attorney, and it is time for
local elected officials to exercise leadership by committing public monies to
such an effort Indeed, universal representation is crucial to ensuring that
everyone who faces deportation is treated fairly and in accord with the
Constitution and federal laws.
Before we allow any person to stand trial for a criminal offense, our system
appoints counsel for anyone who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Deportation can be Just as, if not more, catastrophic for a person than
criminal incarceration. Yet there is not a right to appointed counsel for most
immigrants in removal proceedings.
Immigration law and procedures are highly complex, yet the vast majority of
individuals facing deportation must deal with them without legal assistance.
The government, on the other hand, always Is represented by an attorney,
ADVERTISING
http://www.ocregister.com/2017/03/l6/create-gloAp. a-for-universal-representationl 6/9/2017
create a justice fund for universal representation Orange County Register Page 3 of
Not surprisingly, providing counsel to indigent immigrants makes a huge
difference In ensuring fair proceedings. Detained Immigrants are among the
most vulnerable in the immigration system and the least likely to be
represented. However, when detained immigrants are able to obtain a
lawyer, they succeed in obtaining relief from deportation more than five
times as often as those who are not represented. Detained immigrants who
have legal representation are also able to succeed in securing their release
from detention at a bond hearing four times more often than those who are
unrepresented. Release permits immigrants to return home while they are
fighting their cases, allowing them to earn money and gather the evidence
they need to prove their claims.
Free legal assistance should be provided to those who face deportation so
long as they have the economic need for such help. All whose income does
not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines should be eligible
for assistance. This is similar to how criminal defendants are determined to
be eligible for an attorney at government expense.
No one should be denied help because of a prior criminal record. Everyone
facing deportation —with or without a criminal record — deserves a fair
proceeding, which requires the assistance of a trained advocate. Under the
Trump administration's approach, even very old or minor criminal charges
can render longtime residents vulnerable to deportation. Moreover, recent
studies have documented that there Is no benefit in decreasing crime by
deporting residents with criminal records. Those who are unlawfully present
and who pose a danger, of course, should be deported. But a criminal record,
especially when it is for minor or long ago offenses, does not In and of Itself
provide a basis for deeming a person dangerous.
It is particularly important that universal representation be provided in
Orange County, which is home to approximately 313,000 undocumented
immigrants and three immigration detention facilities. The Trump
administration has been emphatic in Its desire to increase immigration
enforcement and deportations. The response must be to ensure that those at
risk have legal representation.
http://www.ocregister.coml2017/03ll6lcrea2O'Aj,9d-for-universal-representation! 6/9/2017
%AMR; aJusnCC cunu for unzversai represemanon- orange a:ounty 1ceglster Nage 4 ot'S
Providing universal representation ultimately can save the government
significant money. A study in New York concluded that a publicly funded
representation system for all indigent detained New Yorkers in removal
proceedings would ultimately save money for the state. When the familys
wage earner is detained, the family may no longer be able to pay for food or
shelter or medical care. Children, including U.S. citizen children, race serious
harms when a parent is detained or deported. Eighty-nine percent of Santa
Ana children — and 59 percent of Orange County children — have at least
one Immigrant parent.
The solution is to provide universal representation, starting with detained
Immigrants. Late last month, the Santa Ana City Council directed its staff and
the City Attorney's Office to work with other stakeholders to launch a
universal representation pilot program for immigrants facing deportation.
With seed funding for an OC justice Fund from Santa Ana, proponents hope
to raise additional funds from other public entities, foundations, bar
associations, and private donors, The UC Irvine Immigrant Rights Clinic and
Western State College of Law Immigration Clinic will be available to offer
mentorship and guidance to the attorneys providing deportation defense.
Such a pilot program for universal representation then can grow into a more
permanent effort to ensure that all who face deportation have legal
representation, Cities across the country are embarking on universal
representation and Orange County should be a leader in this regard.
Some object to the government providing money to represent those who are
alleged to be undocumented. But every person -- citizen and non -citizen,
documented and undocumented — deserves fair and just proceedings when
facing something as serious as deportation. The government never should be
able to deport a person just because he or she was unable to afford a lawyer.
fiwln Chemerinskyis dean of the UClrvrne School ofLaw..
EMMUTIMM33=
n Erwin Chemerins4
Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the UC Irvine School of Law.
http:1'lwww.ocregister.com/2017/O3/l6/Create- Acai%for-universal-representation/ 6/4/2017
IMMIGRANT
DEFENDERS
Law Center
Friday, June 09, 2017
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway
12th Floor
New York, NY 10279
RE: City of Santa Ana Proposal to Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network
Dear Ms. Chen:
Immigrant Defenders Law Center is a next -generation social justice law firm that defends
our immigrant communities against systemic injustices in the legal system, principally
through providing high-quality deportation defense to the most marginalized immigrants
in Southern California. Our main office is in downtown Los Angeles, and we also have a
satellite office in the Inland Empire city of Riverside. Our organization specializes in
high-volume, universal representation programs serving immigrants in removal
proceedings. Annually, our team of experienced attorneys and support staff handle
approximately 650 deportation defense cases for clients living throughout Southern
California, including a substantial number of clients who reside in Orange County.
Immigrant Defenders strongly supports the City of Santa Ana's proposal for inclusion in
the SAFE Cities Network. Immigrant Defenders is enthusiastic about expanding our
programs to provide more substantial deportation defense services to Santa Ana residents
who are detained by federal immigration authorities. We welcome the opportunity to
help build capacity in Santa Ana, and potentially throughout Orange County, to meet the
needs of residents who are impacted by the federal government's increased immigration
enforcement.
Immigrant Defender's leadership team not only has extensive experience in deportation
defense and program management, but one of our Directing Attorneys, Meeth Soni, was
previously an Orange County based immigration attorney for 7 years. She is eager, along
with the rest of Immigrant Defenders leadership staff and Board of Directors, to work
together with partners in Orange County to help launch a sustainable program to protect
our immigrant communities.
Immigrant Defenders understands that the plan would be for us to contract with the
Orange County Justice Fund (the Fund), a non-profit entity that would consolidate
funding from various sources, including the City of Santa Ana, the Vera Institute of
Justice, and private funders. The Fund also intends to provide fundmising and other
support for deportation defense programs in Orange County through an independent
Board of Directors. A partnership with the Fund would enable Immigrant Defenders to
634 South Spring Street,10th Floor 4 Los Angeles, CA 9001.4 ♦ Tel: (213) 634-0999 4 Fax: (213) 282-3133
www.lmmDef.org
20A-24
launch a pilot project with at least 2 attorneys and a paralegal staffing an Immigrant
Defenders Orange County satellite office. These attorneys would likely spend four days
a week in the Orange County office, and one day a week in our Los Angeles office for
case review, trainings and court hearings. This is the same model we successfully use
with our Riverside office based attorney. We believe that we could launch a pilot
program with seed funding of approximately $250,000-$350,000.
We are thrilled to see this proposal moving forward and hope that the Vera Institute will
recognize the need for inclusion of traditionally underserved areas like Orange County in
the network.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me regarding the City of
Sana Ana's proposal.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lindsay Toczylowski
Executive Director
20A-25
UCIUniversity of School of Law
California, Irvine UCI Law Clinics
June 9, 2027
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network
and Universal Legal Representation for Detained immigrants
To Whom It May Concern:
The University of California, Irvine School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic (IRC) is happy
to submit this letter in support of the City of Santa Ana's proposal for membership In the
SAFE Cities Network, a Vera Institute for Justice program designed to help establish and
expand universal legal representation for detained immigrants facing deportation.
Over the past several years, IRC students, working under close faculty supervision, have
provided direct representation to immigrants on matters ranging from deportation
defense and bond representation to workers' rights and civil and constitutional rights
enforcement In addition to direct representation, the Clinic partners with community
organizations on free legal clinics, outreach and education, and policy advocacy.
Particularly through our work with our community organizational partners, IRC has
developed expertise in representing some of the most vulnerable members of the
immigrant community. We are one of the few providers in Orange County that handles
complex deportation defense cases. Some of our cases Include: youth who were referred
to ICE by the Orange County Probation Department; residents erroneously alleged to
have gang ties, Immigrants needing post -conviction relief in criminal court; and LGBT
Immigrants seeking asylum and other forms of protection. Over the past seven (7)
semesters, we have also run a bond representation project, providing critical assistance
detained immigrants in four area detention centers, many of whom were subject to
prolonged mandatory detention, and securing release for over 20.
Unfortunately, IRC is not a high-volume service provider. We rely on university funding
and, consequently, devote a great amount of attention to the pedagogical benefits of the
work that we do. We train law students to work on some of the most challenging cases in
the field. An individual deportation defense case of the type that we handle can extend
over multiple years. Bond cases can extend over multiple months.
School of Law
UCI Law Clinics
PO Box 5479
Irvine, CA 92616-5479
20A-26
(949) 824-6257 P
(949) 824-2747 F
www.law.uci.edu
There is currently no organization in Orange County dedicated to providing deportation
defense services with any degree of regularity or volume. The limited resources that we
have mobilized do not meet the magnitude of the need, heightened in an era of
aggressive interior immigration enforcement. Indeed, bed space at the Adelanto and
Theo Lacey detention facilities has been expanded to support ICE enforcement actions in
Southern California.
It is our hope that the inclusion of Santa Ana in the SAFE Cities Network will contribute
to the growing momentum in Orange County for universal representation for detained
immigrants. Key public and private sector actors have come together in support of this
proposed program. In-kind support and matching funds from Vera will push the
Initiative into existence. We have excellent service providers in the Southern California
region, such as Immigrant Defenders Law Center, who have the track record and ability
to provide these services in Orange County in the short term with additional resources.
It is our goal that the Orange County Justice Fund and a universal representation pilot
program would be established and begin serving detained immigrants within three
months.
IRC is committed to supporting the Santa Ana program in any way possible. We stand
ready to offer mentorship, expertise and guidance in the start-up phase and beyond.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact either of us at
sashar(&Iaw.uci.edu.949-824-9868, or alaI0Imv.uci.edg 949-824-9896. Thank you for
your consideration.
Yours truly, m ,,
J" -b tom'" '
Sameer M. Ashar, Clinical Professor of Law
Annie Lai, Clinical Professor of Law
20A-27
June 9, 2017
WESTERN STATE
COLLEGE OF LAW
-- At ARMY HNRPFASITY ----
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway
12th Floor
New York, NY 10279
RE: City of Santa Ana Proposal to Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network
Dear Sir or Madam:
I Bsnting
Nne,CA92618
sVn,wsulavr,edu
I write to express the Western State College of Law immigration Clinic's enthusiastic support for the proposal
submitted by the City of Santa Ana to the Vera institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network.
I am a law professor at Western State College of Law, where I am the founding director of the law school's in-house
Immigration Clinic, Together with Staff Attorney Sabrina Rivera and adjunct professor Andrew Knapp, the
Immigration Clinic provides pro bono representation to noncitizens in a range of immigration matters. Many of our
clients are long-term residents of Orange County and/or are survivors of abuse or persecution, and many of those
same clients have had prior encounters with the criminal justice system. We have developed strong internal expertise
in assisting individuals caught at the crossroads of the criminal and immigration laws, where the legal system is often
extremely harsh and unforgiving. This past year, the Clinic expanded its work to include representation of indigent
individuals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Clinic has also collaborated with various non-profit organizations and legal entities throughout Orange County
to provide community outreach and education, free legal clinics, and policy advocacy. The Clinic has addressed
issues such as expanding the capacity of the private immigration bar to better meet the immigration legal needs of
modest -means individuals in Orange County; the need for immigrant families to plan for the care of their children in
the event that deportation renders both parents unable to remain with them; and the diversion of noncitizens facing
deportation away from the immigration courts. We have aspired to provide high-quality representation to extremely
vulnerable members of our community while addressing systematic barriers to access to justice faced by immigrants.
But the representation and advocacy that we provide is merely a drop in the bucket, compared to the need.
As a law school clinic, we have two goals: first, to train law students in practical lawyering skills; and second, to
protect and promote the human rights of immigrants. In the vast majority of cases, Western State College of Law
students provide representation to our clients, under close faculty supervision. As a result, the Clinic is not equipped
to absorb a caseload that could adequately meet the demand for legal representation. This is especially true with
respect to immigrants in detention, where the needs are particularly acute,
Over the past several months, I have participated in conversations with a number of individuals and community
leaders — including Darren Aitken, Don Daucher, and Norma Garcia Guillen F- who share in the Clinic's commitment
to building a "universal representation" program in Orange County, beginning with Santa Ana. I (along with others)
20A-28
am willing to devote energy to ensuring that the private funds to complement funding from the City of Santa Ana
and Vera Institute of Justice can be raised, so that we can begin the process of bringing a modicum of due process
and fairness to the federal deportation system.
In light of the fact that there is no legal service provider in Orange County that regularly provides representation in
removal defense, especially for detained immigrants, the Clinic is committed to supporting the creation of an OC
Justice Fund. We are ready to offer mentoring, expertise and guidance in both the short- and long-term for the OC
Justice Fund.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (714) 459-1136 or jk h@wsulaw.edu should you have any questions.
Yours truly,
Jennifer Lee Koh, Esq.
Professor of Law & Director, Immigration Clinic
Western State College of Law
20A-29
t5o W Vrcnmuw Avv.
ANAWAIM, CATAFUnNIA 91805
Cn A 11MAN.F.1)1111 AW
June 6, 2017
ttcoc & Wylie Aitkcn Family Proicetion Clinic
(71 •t) 765-15'79 • Caa%: ( 714) 991-1776
PROr. WENDY M. $EDEN, CO-DwrcTOit
PRMJUL1E NIARZOUK, CO-DutccTOR
RE: Support for City of Santa Ana Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network and
Universal Legal Representation for Detained immigrants
To whom this may concern:
The Betteand Wylie Aitken Family Protection Clinic at Chapman University Fowler School of Law is
pleased to submit this letter supporting the City of Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and
inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage localities to
fund universal legal representation for detained immigrants facing deportation.
The Aitken Family Protection Clinic is an academic program of Chapman University's Fowler School of
Law, Each semester law students provide free legal advice and representation to low-income and indigent
survivors of domestic violence in immigration and protective order matters, The Clinic specializes in the
representation of individuals and families in petitions for immigration relief under the Violence Against Women
Act and Victims of Trafficking Protection Act. We provide legal representation to 150 low-income and
indigent survivors of family violence and related crimes on an annual basis. The Clinic also provides extensive
legal training, to victim advocates, social workers, and lawyers who represent immigrant victims of crime. We
routinely conduct know your rights presentations in the community and work in local collaborations to improve
local, state, and national policies that affect immigrant victims of crime.
The Aitken Family Protection Clinic and other current non-profit legal service providers in Orange
County cannot currently meet the need for immigration removal defense. We routinely receive calls from Santa
Ana residents seeking representation in removal proceedings. Our Clinic does not provide ANY representation
to detained immigrants and does not routinely engage in removal defense. Most of our clients are mothers, and
many are child victims of abuse or violence. These victims face uncertain futures and potential separation of
their families due to deportation or because their abusers withhold immigration benefits, Our clients or their
family members are routinely detained and deported and simply tack the funds to pay for counsel. Legal
representation for these clients could mean the difference between separation or deportation and family unity
and security. When an individual is detained or deported, the entire family suffers. We see families that are
separated after decades of life together in the united States„ breadwinners who are forced to leave their families
behind, and children who are traumatized without the love and support of a parent who has been detained or
deported.
The Santa Ana Universal Representation Fund would provide a critical first step in providing access to
justice for immigrants who have been detained and face deportation. Current local legal nonprofits provide
some legal representation in immigration, but do not have the capacity to provide detained removal defense.
This gap in services devastates our local communities. The Aitken Family Protection Clinic enthusiastically
20A-30
supports the creation of an OC Justice Fund that will facilitate the creation of a nonprofit entity to provide that
much-needed legal representation.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Julie Nlar/otuk
Assistant Clinical llrofc%sor
Dale P. Fender School of Lakti at Chapman Unicersiiy
Co- Director Bette & Wylie Aitken Family Protection Clinic -Immigration
marzoukcii>chapman,edu
( 714) 623-' 069
20A-31
'l.arARCIA., RAINEY
BLANK(' &)W ERBANK. LLP
June 8, 2017
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway
I2th Floor
New York, NY 10279
695'rown Center Dr., Suite 700
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Main: (714) 382.7000
roe: (714) 7$4-0031
Norma Garcia Guilldn
(714)382-7002
nguciagtiitlei)@garciarainey.com
RE: City of Santa Ana Prouosal to Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Ne work
I write to express my suppoit for the City of Santa Ana's proposal to be included
in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities Network. I am a commercial litigator and founding
partner of the law firm Garcia Rainey Blank & Bowerbank, former president of the Orange
County Hispanic Bar Association, and former chair of the Board of Directors of Vidworks, a
Santa Ana -based nonprofit organization that serves at -risk youth and their families—and a native
of Santa Ana.
Over the past several months, I have been working with a coalition of individuals,
including the directors of the immigration clinics at UC Irvine School of Law and Western State
College of Law, to create the Orange County Justice Fund. We are in the process of
incorporating the OC Justice Fund as an independent, 501(c)(3) organization that will
consolidate public and private funds for the purpose of launching the provision of legal service
for detained immigrants facing deportation. Financial seed money from the City of Santa Ana
and the Vera Institute would provide the OC Justice Fund with critical funds and national
expertise to address a deeply important due process and access to justice issue.
I am compelled to underscore that selecting a municipality in Orange County will
further promote equal access to justice in a community where resisting that movement has long
been the norm and where anti -immigrant policies are often developed. For instance, one of the
authors of Proposition 187, the anti -immigrant (and unconstitutional) measure that sought to
defend education and other critical fundamental rights for immigrants, was an Orange County
resident. The Minuteman project was also founded in Orange County. Thus, forming the Orange
County Justice Fund and having the support of the Vera Institute in these critical times is not
only long overdue in Orange County, but needed perhaps more than in any other county/city in
California,
20A-32
June 8, 2017
Vera Institute of Justice
Page 2
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (714) 382-7002, or
nR_atcia uil� lenQgarciarainev.com with any questions regarding the City of Sana Ana's proposal.
Respectfully Submitted,
Norma Garcia Guillen, Esq.
20A-33
The
California
Endowment
June 5, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of justice SAFE Cities
Network and Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whomever this may concern:
The California Endowment is pleased to submit this letter supporting the
City of Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera
1000 North Institute of justice's SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage
Alameda Street localities to fund universal legal representation for detained immigrants facing
Los Angeles deportation.
CA 00012
213 929.0012 In 2015, The California Endowment reached the halfway point of our 10-
PnM 213,928.8001 year Building Healthy Communities {BHC} strategic plan. This plan focuses on
eo3'928.8801 improving the physical conditions and changing the systems that negatively
Impact underserved communities and their ability to be healthy and thrive. A
significant portion of the plan involves place -based attention on 14 communities
across the state, of which Central Santa Ana is one site. Over the past 7 years,
through our partnerships with local immigrants' rights and advocacy
organizations, we are deeply aware of the harms caused by deportation and
detention and have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact such actions have
on an individual, family and community health.
There is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides
legal representation to detained immigrants who cannot afford attorneys. The
California Endowment is prepared to support the creation of an OC justice Fund
that will facilitate the creation of a nonprofit entity that provides this much-
needed legal representation.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
c_chiangt:la alendaw.ore or 213-926-6727. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sandy Chiang
Program Manager
20A-34
•
PUBLIC LAWC ENTER
PROVIDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR ORANGE COUNTY'S LOW INCOME RESIDENTS
June 5, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network and
Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whomever this may concern;
The Public Law Center is pleased to submit this letter supporting the City of Santa Ana's
proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities
Network, a program designed to encourage localities to fiord universal legal representation for
detained immigrants facing deportation.
Public Law Center is an organization that routinely works with immigrant communities in
Orange County, as a result we are deeply aware of the barns caused by deportation and
detention. Public Law Center's Immigration Unit was founded in 2004 to provide free legal
services to immigrant trafficking and domestic violence victims. Since then, the Immigration unit
has expanded its service to include asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, immigrants seeking
to naturalize, and undocumented immigrants who are eligible under the current DACA program.
Our organization is regularly contacted by individuals whose family and friends have been
detained or deported, and although we have provided representation where possible, we do not
have the resources to serve everyone who contacts us for assistance. Thus, we strongly support
the City of Santa Ana's effort to be included in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities
Network. We agree that in order to keep families together and communities strong, cities, such as
the CIty of Santa Ana, should be funding counsel for immigrants facing deportation who cannot
afford an attorney.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jacquelyn Santos at (714) 541-1010
extension 230.
Thank you for your consideration.
04
forgdlk Alvarado
Director of Litigation, Training and Advocacy
601 Civic Center Drive West • Santa Ana, CA 42701-4002 � 1714) 541.1010 • Fax (714)541-5157
20A-35
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HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF ORANGE COUNTY
P.O. Box 6130, Newport Beach, CA 92658
Telephone: (949)478-1024 Fax: (949) 440-6710
E-mail: infoA&1ochba.crr Web: www.ochba.orn
June 6, 2017
Vera Institute of Justice
233 Broadway
12th Floor
New York, NY 10279
RE: City of Santa Ana proposal to Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network
Dear Vera Institute Official:
The Orange County Hispanic Bar Association is dedicated to promoting excellence in
providing legal services with a social conscience; providing coordinated services to the
general and local community; and to fostering goodwill within the community. For more
than forty years, the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association has partnered with
community organizations, including a recent Memorandum of Understanding with the
Mexican Consulate, and served as a resource for the community to express its concerns
regarding the state of legal services in Orange County.
It is with this experience in hand that can attest to the drastic need for legal services to
immigrants facing deportation in Orange County. Among the factors we hope the Institute
will consider when considering the City of Santa Ana's proposal:
• A recent study by the California Coalition for Universal Representation
demonstrated, immigrants detained in California who have an attorney are five
times more likely to succeed in their cases than those who do not,
• Moreover, another study by the coalition found that thousands of children in
California are at risk of ending in the broken foster care system upon the detention
and/or deportation of a parent, causing trauma that can have long-term health
consequences.
• Nearly 70 percent of detained immigrants in California go unrepresented in their
deportation cases because they cannot afford an attorney.
• In November 2016, Homeland Security's Office of inspector General reported a
list of problems with the Theo Lacy Facility (an Orange County Detention
Center) including; spoiled lunch meat, moldy shower stalls, broken telephones,
and detainees with low-level crimes or no criminal records housed with serious
offenders.
• Even after local communities demonstrated their support for pro -immigrant
policies and the adoption of a"sanctuary city" ordinance in the City of Santa Ana,
the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to rent
120 additional detention beds to ICE.
Such policies have permanent and lasting effects on our communities that we must work
together to prevent. We understand that the City of Santa Ana has an opportunity to seek
a one-time, matching grant from the Vera Institute of Justice, to help fund a legal
representation program for immigrants in detention who are facing deportation.
As a bar association who works extensively with private practitioners and area non-profit
organizations to participate in pro bono efforts, we can personally attest to the lack of
qualified removal defense professionals with capacity to sustain the increased need for
20A-36
legal services. Further, the Orange County community entirely lacks a non-profit for
serving detained immigrants facing deportation. This environment magnifies the
tremendous value that the City Santa Ana inclusion in Vera's SAFE Cities Network would
have on the delivery of legal services to underserved immigrant populations within our
community.
The Board of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association as well a group of our past
presidents, and several member firms have committed to being among the first fiscal
sponsors to the OC Justice fund and are committed to ensuring the long-term support of
the initiative. In supporting the City's efforts, we are also furthering the Vera Institute's
goal to ensure that detained immigrants do not face deportation without legal
representation. By funding counsel for immigrants facing deportation who do not possess
the resources to retain adequate representation, we will strengthen immigrant
communities while maintaining the social and economic stability of those communities.
We stand firmly behind the efforts to create an OC Justice Fund and gladly offer our
assistance to the fund and the Vera Institute to make Orange County part of the SAFE
Cities Network.
Respectfully Submi
re!�
Eric M. I7omi ez
President
20A-37
go
June 8th, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities
Network and Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whomever this may concern:
Resilience OC is pleased to submit this letter supporting the City of
Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera
Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage
localities to fund universal legal representation for detained immigrants facing
deportation.
Resilience OC is an organization that routinely works with immigrant
communities in Orange County, we are deeply aware of the harms caused by
deportation and detention. Our organization has hosted numerous know -your -
rights and Sanctuary City presentations in Santa Ana. Our organization is
regularly contacted by Santa Ana residents whose family and/or friends have
been detained or deported, and we have provided advocacy or helped them find
representation where possible, but do not have the resources to serve every low-
income person who contacts us for assistance.
There is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides
legal representation to detained immigrants who cannot afford attorneys.
Resilience OC is prepared to support the creation of an OC Justice Fund that will
facilitate the creation of a nonprofit entity that provides this much-needed legal
representation to Santa Ana and Orange County residents and families.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Roberto
Herrera, Community Engagement Advocate, roberto@resilienceoc.org. Thank
you for your consideration.
Yours truly,
Abraham Media
Executive Director
Resilience Orange County
20A-38
Roberto Herrera
Community Engagement Advocate
Resilience Orange County
OCIYU
Orange County Immigrant Youth United
www.ociyu.org I (916) 936.2.496 11905 E. 17th St. #219 Santa Ana, CA 92705
June 06, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities
Network and Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whomever this may concern:
Orange County Immigrant Youth United is pleased to submit this letter supporting the
City of Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera Institute of
Justice's SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage localities to fund universal
legal representation for detained immigrants facing deportation.
Orange County Immigrant Youth United is undocumented immigrant youth led
organization that advocates for the rights of undocumented immigrants to live free from
exploitation and persecution by organizing undocumented youth and providing a space in which
they can grow as leaders. OCIYU has aided in deportation defense efforts for the last year by
creating its Una x Uno program. With this program, we have been able to help over a dozen
members of our community with their eases by seeking legal aid for detainees and other
resources for their families. However, we do not have the resources to provide aid to every
person that is in deportation proceedings in Orange County.
There is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides legal
representation to detained immigrants who cannot afford attorneys. Orange County Immigrant
Youth United is prepared to support the creation of an OC Justice Fund that will facilitate the
creation of a nonprofit entity that provides this much-needed legal representation. Orange
County Immigrant Youth United is prepared to support in the creation of the Orange County
Justice Fund which will facilitate the undergoing efforts to limit the collaboration between our
local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in addition to provide
much needed representation to undocumented Orange County residents detained by ICE.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Orange County Immigrant
Youth United's Program Coordinator and Deportation Defense Organizer, Faby Jacome at
faby ca ociyu.or,*
Yours truly,
Fabiola Jacome-Avila
20A-39
STAND FOR JUSTICE
June 8, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Ana Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE
Cities Network and Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whom it may concern:
The ACLU of Southern California is pleased to submit this letter supporting the City of
Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's
SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage localities to fund universal legal
representation for detained immigrants facing deportation.
The ACLU of Southern California is at the forefront of local, state and national efforts to
protect all immigrants from unlawful imprisonment, discrimination and law enforcement abuses,
and to ensure that they are afforded their due process rights to a fair hearing and access to legal
assistance in immigration proceedings. As part of those efforts, the ACLU of Southern
California has also been a leading advocate for state and local funding to provide universal legal
representation for low-income immigrants facing deportation. The ACLU of Southern California
has maintained a strong presence in Orange County, with one of its three offices based in Santa
Ana. As an organization that routinely works with immigrant communities in Orange County,
we are deeply aware of the harts caused by deportation and detention. Our organization is
regularly contacted by Santa Ana residents whose family and/or friends have been detained or
deported, and we have provided advocacy where possible, but do not have the resources to
provide representation to every low-income person who contacts us for assistance.
There is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides legal
representation to detained immigrants who cannot afford attorneys. The ACLU of Southern
California is prepared to fully support the creation of an OC Justice Fund that will facilitate the
creation of a nonprofit entity that provides this much-needed legal representation. The ACLU of
Southern California's strong commitment to the OC Justice Fund is demonstrated by its
willingness to serve on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit entity to ensure that detained
Chair Shari Leinwand 1st Vice Chair Richard Barry 2nd Vice Chair Susan Adelman
Chairs Emeriti Canny Goldberg Attan K. Jonas' Burt Lancaster` Irving Lichtenstein, MC` Jarl Mohn Laurie Ostrow' Stanley K. Sheinbaum Stephen Rohde
Executive Director Rector 0. Vittagra Chief counsel Mark D. Rosenbaum Deputy Executive Director James Glitiam
Director at Philanthropy Julia Weinstein Director of Strategic Partnersships& Marketing Vicki Fox
Legal Director & Manholes Family Attorney for First Amendment Rights Peter J. Etiasherg Deputy Legal Director Ahilan T. Arutanantham
Director of Paticy Advocacy Clarissa Woo Diractercf community Engagement Elvia Meta Executive Director Emeritus Ramona Ripston 'deceased
1313 WEST EIGHTH STREET LOS ANGELES C90X? tbt3.977.9500 f 213.977.5299 ACLUSOCAL.ORG
Page 2
immigrants in Orange County receive quality representation, and the financial resources
provided to the OC Justice Fund are well spent.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact ACLU of Southern California
staff, Sameer Ahmed or Jennifer Rojas at SAhmedd aclusocal.ore or JRoiaviu,aclusocal.ora.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours truly,
Sameer Ahmed
Staff Attorney
ACLU of Southern California
Jennifer Rojas
Community Engagement & Policy Advocate
ACLU of Southern California
0
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e*I SOVTHIR" Ca IRERN W,-NIOR
a)SbUtNERM CUIPORRlS:...._.,„�.�
STAND FOR JUSTICE
20A -41
1I
ASIAN A,'ALRiCANS
ADVANCING
� jwSTICE
ORANGE COUNTY
June 6, 2017
RED Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network and Universal
Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To whom this may concern:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice -Orange County (AAAJ-OC) is pleased to submit this letter supporting
the City of Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE
Cities Network, a program designed to encourage localities to fund universal legal representation for detained
immigrants facing deportation,
AAAJ-OC's mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build
coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Americans, Nmivc Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI).
Immigration related services has been a cornerstone of our organization since its founding in 1983. We continue to
be a leading advocate for immigrant right issues at the state level, championing bills that focus on immigrant
integration, services, and language rights.
AAAJ-OC is housed in Santa Ana, Orange County to strategically serve hard to reach AANHPI
communities. With over a half million Asian Americans, Orange County is home to the nation's third-largest Asian
American population. In Santa Ana, Asian Americans saw a population growth of 36,324 (14%) from 2000 to 2010.
The Asian American population is more immigrant than any other racial group in Orange County. Currently, there is
an estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Orange County with 15% from Asia.
The AAAJ-OC office has stopped up to meet the needs of the growing AANHPI immigrant community by
increasing internal legal capacity. Our organization is currently holding weekly immigration clinics, has held
citizenship fairs with partner organizations, has taught Know -Your -Rights presentations, as well as has spoken in
forums hosted by community groups and local elected members. Currently, AAAI -OC in partnership with
Resilience OC, is working together with Congressmember Alan Lowenthal's office to urge ICE to grant Mr.
Ourmukh Singh, a resident of Garden Grove, a stay of removal.
There is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides legal representation to detained
immigrants who cannot afford attorneys. AAAJ-OC, an expert in cultural competence for AANHPI communities,
supports die universal representation of a culturally and linguistically diverse population not only in Santa Ana but
all of California.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Katelyn Ogawa, Policy Coordinator,
kouawa@advancincjustico-oc.org. Thank you for your consideration.
Yours
truly,
c If 'Lc�
Sylvia Kim
Regional Director, AAAJ-OC
Building upon the legacy of the Asian Pacific American legal Center
1620 East 4- Street, Santa Ann, CA 92701 T 714.507.2050 mine advancingiustice-oc.org+OC
20A-42
June G, 2017
RE: Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network and
Universal Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
Dcor Mayor Pulido and Santa Ana City Council Members.
The LGST Center OC is pleased to submit this letter supporting the City of Santa Ana's
proposal for one-time matobing funds and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities
Network, a program designed to encourage localities to Rood universal legal representation for detained
immigrants facing deportation.
The LOST Center OC has been serving the Orange County lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer/questioning community for almost fifty years. Established in 1971 and incorporated in 1975, the
LOST Center OC remains the only comprehensive health and social services organization specifically
targeting Orange County's LGSTQ community and provides services to more than 11,000 individuals
annually across a broad spectrum of culture, edudeity, age, and economic backgrounds. Out robust
programs and services are conducted within the context of unconditional acceptance of sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression, and cultural diversity.
The LOST Center OC works closely with the local community to advocate for immigrant rights
and provides services including outreach and education targeting the LGSTQ immigrant community. Our
organization hosts and participates in numerous know -your -rights presentations, citizenship fairs,
education and outreach events, and workshops preparing affirmativo applications for immigration relieff.
We are an organization that routinely work, with immigrant communities and we can attest to the harm,
caused by deportation and detention, particularly for LOST immigrants. Out organization is regularly
contacted by residents of Santa Ana who have great concern of being detained or deported, and/or whose
family and friends have been detained or deported, We have provided advocacy and support wherever
possible but do not have the resources and capacity to serve every single low-income individual who
contacts us for assistance. In particular, we have been able to provide supportive services for an often
hidden and fearful population.
At this time there is a critical need in Orange County for an organization that provides legal
representation to detained immigrants who cannot afford attorneys. The LGST Center OC will continue
to provide support for Orange County's underserved and hard -to reach immigrant residents through our
expected DOJ Recognition & Accreditation in the fall of 2017. With increased resources, the LGDT
Center OC will work with the community to support the creation of an OC Justice Fund to provide this
much needed representation.
Should you have any questions, please feet free to contact Luis Gomez, Immigration Resources
Specialist at 714-953-5428. Thank you for your consideration.
Yours trul
Laura Kanter, M.S.W.
Director of Policy, Advocacy and Youth Services
The LOST Center OC
20A-43
June 8, 2017
range County LaborFederation, AFL-CIO
,Ial"
309 N. RAMPART STREET, SUITE A • ORANGE, CALIFORNIA 92968
(714)385.1531 • FAX. (714)385.1544
RE; Support for City of Santa Inclusion in Vera Institute of Justice SAFE Cities Network and Universal
Legal Representation for Detained Immigrants
To Whom It May Concern:
I am pleased to submit this letter of support to the City of Santa Ana's proposal for one-time matching funds
and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's SAFE Cities Network, a program designed to encourage
localities to fund universal legal representation for detained immigrants facing deportation.
Thousands of immigrant and mixed -status families are in desperate need of legal representation during
immigration proceedings. After this past presidential election, our immigrant and non-immigrant communities
have been feeling anxious of what the Trump regime may hold for them. As a result, as director of the Orange
County Labor Federation, l have continued my support to help immigrant families prepare and pian to protect
themselves from deportation by providing educational materials, and organizing know your rights, power of
attorney, and legal clinics.
However, despite our efforts, there is a fundamental need to address the lack of pro bono legal representation
for low-income immigrant detainees. Absent ad hoc fundraising efforts to pay for legal representation, detained
immigrants are deported and families are ripped apart. These unfortunate yet common incidents can be avoided
by providing universal legal representation. As a result, I fully support the efforts the City of Santa Ana's
proposal for one-time matching funds, and inclusion in the Vera Institute of Justice's Safe Cities Network to
facilitate legal representation to hard working immigrant families.
I am prepared to support the creation of an OC Justice Fund that will facilitate the creation of nonprofit entity
that provides this much-needed legal representation by providing logistical and financial support for this effort.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (714) 385-1534.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
1� R:_
Julio Perez
Executive Director
20A-44
,10 WCW,l6 A!{Cltl