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Date:3/24/2026 2:52:15 PM
From:"Villegas, Robert" robert.villegas@bos2.oc.gov
To:"City Clerk" cityclerk@anaheim.net, "Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Cc:"Santana, Richard" richard.santana@bos2.oc.gov
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Supervisor Sarmiento's letter in Support of the Anaheim Contigo Program and de ve lopment of legal
defense component
Attachment:Letter in support of the Contigo Anahem legal assistance component.pdf;
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Please find attached a letter from Supervisor Sarmiento in support of the Anaheim Conti go program and the legal defense
component item on tonight's Council agenda.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Robert L. Villegas
714-673-4575
Communications Advisor
Office of Vicente Sarmiento
Second District Supervisor
County of Orange
VICENTE SARMIENTO
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH BUILDING
400 W. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE. SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701
PHONE (714) 834-3220
March 24, 2026
Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the Anaheim City Council,
I write to express my strong support for continued funding of the Anaheim Contigo Program and
the establishment of an immigration legal defense component.
Anaheim Contigo has proven to be an essential lifeline for residents—helping families stay
housed, keep the lights on, and meet basic needs during times of hardship. As your agenda report
highlights, the program has already served hundreds of residents and continues to meet a
growing demand in the community.
Expanding this effort through the “Stay Housed Anaheim Program” and additional utility
assistance is a critical step forward. At the same time, establishing a legal defense component is
both timely and necessary. Having legal representation or assistance to navigate the legal process
involved in immigration law is one of the most difficult hurdles that our families face in trying to
ensure their rights are respected.
Last year, in collaboration with philanthropic entities, we funded the creation of the OC Liberty
Fund to support county non-profits in the community legal empowerment work they do every
day. The need is so acute, and for many families, the additional assistance you can provide could
make all the difference. These investments are essential to protecting vulnerable residents and
strengthening the overall stability of the community.
Your action on this item will not only assist in ensuring we protect the rights of our immigrant
neighbors, who continue to be targets, but also send an important message to our immigrant
communities that they are part of the city and that you support them at those most difficult
moments for so many families.
I strongly urge the City Council to move forward with both the continuation of Anaheim Contigo
and the implementation of this legal defense component.
Thank you for your leadership and continued commitment to Anaheim families.
Sincerely,
Vicente Sarmiento
Supervisor, Second District
Orange County Board of Supervisors