TITLE:
title
UPDATE ON OPTIONS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENTS AND POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING ROAMING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PATROLS
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DEPARTMENT: CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
PRESENTED BY: KIMBERLY HALL BARLOW, CITY ATTORNEY
CONTACT INFORMATION: KIMBERLY HALL BARLOW, CITY ATTORNEY 714-754-5399
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Receive and file this update on options to provide legal defense funding to assist residents in connection with federal immigration enforcement and direct staff accordingly.
2. Consider whether and how to participate in Perdomo, et al. v. Noem, et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:25-cv-05605-MEMF-SP.
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BACKGROUND:
At the August 5, 2025 City Council Meeting, City Council provided direction to identify options available to the City to provide legal defense funding to provide legal assistance to residents in connection with federal immigration enforcement. Several specific potential partners were identified to which the City could provide funding, including the Public Law Center and Legal Aid. The City Attorney was also asked to identify any limitations on providing funding for such services.
ANALYSIS:
Legal Defense Funding
The City may elect to provide funding for legal assistance to residents who are detained or targeted for immigration enforcement. The only legal restrictions on such expenditures are that the City may not expend federal funds for such assistance, or grant or restricted funds. There are no limitations on the City's use of its General Fund for this purpose, however, due to the possible General Fund revenue stagnation, it is recommended that funding be allocated from available General Fund reserves.
The City could elect to create its own program for such legal assistance, however, the costs of creating and staffing such an endeavor are likely to be far more than providing funding to existing groups ...
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