28 (01)Date:3/23/2026 2:45:53 PM
From:"Nguyen, Ngoc" Ngoc.Nguyen@mail.house.gov
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Cc:
"Ashleigh Aitken" AAitken@anaheim.net, "Natalie Meeks" NMeeks@anahe im.ne t, "Ryan Balius"
RBalius@anaheim.net, "Carlos A. Leon" CLeon@anaheim.net, "Natalie Rubalcava" NRubalcava@anaheim.net,
"Norma C. Kurtz" NKurtz@anaheim.net, "Kristen Maahs" KMaahs@anaheim.net, "Be re nice Ballinas"
BBallinas@anaheim.net, "Alyssa Guerrero" alguerrero@anaheim.net, "JJ Jime ne z" JJimenez@anaheim.net,
"dwetmore@carpiclay.com" dwetmore@carpiclay.com, "zcommins@carpiclay.com" zcommins@carpiclay.com
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Rep. Correa's LOS for council meeting
Attachment:Anaheim support letter CORREA 2026-03-26.pdf;
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Good afternoon,
Attached is a letter of support from Congressman Lou Correa for item 28 on tomorrow’s council m eeting agenda.
Best,
Ngoc Nguyen | Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of Congres s man J. Luis Correa (CA-46)
2082 Rayburn HOB | Tel: 202-225-2965
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
March 24, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I write in strong support of the proposed addition of an immigrant legal defense fund within the
Anaheim Contigo program. This action reflects a practical and necessary response to ongoing
federal immigration enforcement activity and its measurable effects on local economies such as
Anaheim’s.
Immigration enforcement actions carry immediate economic consequences for cities anchored by
service, tourism, and small business sectors. Anaheim is a prime example. Our workforce
includes a significant number of immigrant workers across hospitality, construction, food
service, and logistics. When enforcement activity escalates, the disruption is not limited to
individual households. It reverberates through workplaces, reduces labor availability, and
constrains business operations.
Recent conditions in Anaheim confirm this pattern. The city has documented continued
enforcement activity, including regular targeted operations affecting workers and job sites.
Employers across the city are navigating uncertainty as enforcement actions interrupt staffing
and daily operations, while families face sudden income loss and instability.
The Anaheim Contigo initiative has already established a strong foundation by providing verified
information, emergency assistance, and connections to legal and community resources. However,
the current framework relies heavily on external nonprofit capacity and does not fully meet the
scale or urgency of legal needs during active enforcement periods.
A dedicated legal defense fund addresses this gap in a targeted and economically sound manner.
Access to legal representation improves case outcomes, reduces prolonged detention, and allows
individuals to maintain employment where legally permitted. In practical terms, this stabilizes
the workforce, reduces turnover costs for employers, and helps prevent cascading financial strain
on families that would otherwise require additional public assistance.
Local testimony and recent council discussions further underscore the urgency of expanding
Anaheim’s response. Community members, including day laborers and small business
stakeholders, have identified a clear need for on-the-ground legal services and dedicated funding
to respond to repeated enforcement actions affecting workers in real time.
Establishing an immigrant legal defense fund within Anaheim Contigo would align the city with
proven models in neighboring jurisdictions while tailoring the approach to Anaheim’s economic
profile. It would strengthen the city’s ability to respond swiftly during enforcement activity,
support business continuity, and reinforce confidence among workers who are essential to
Anaheim’s economic base.
This proposal is consistent with responsible governance and recognizes that workforce stability,
business continuity, and community trust are interconnected. A legal defense component is a
necessary extension of the city’s existing efforts to mitigate disruption, maintain economic
resilience, and support of immigrant families living in Anaheim.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge approval of this agenda item.
Sincerely,
J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress