28 (02)Date:3/24/2026 1:04:34 PM
From:"Bulmaro Vicente" boomer@chispaoc.org
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Public Comment Item 28 - Anaheim Legal Defense Fund
Attachment:3.24.26 - Item 28 Anaheim Legal Defense Fund, Chispa Letter to CC.pdf;
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Hi,
Please find Chispa's letter of support for Item 28.
I n Solidar it y ,
Boomer
Policy and Political Dir ector | Chispa
e: boomer @chispaoc.org c: 71 4.747.4271
1 5 05 E 1 7th Str eet Suit e 1 1 7 Sant a Ana, CA 92705
Chispa is building a polit ical home for y oung Latinx s in Or ange County ! Please consider making a donat ion to help us build our
casita. Chispa is a project of T ides Adv ocacy , a 501 c4 non-profit organization.
March 24th, 2026
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and Members of City Council
City of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
RE: Item 28 – Urgent Request to Establish a City-Supported Immigration Legal Defense Fund
Dear Mayor Aitken and Members of the Anaheim City Council,
On behalf of Chispa, we urge the City of Anaheim to establish a dedicated immigration legal defense
fund to support residents and families impacted by ongoing immigration enforcement raids in the amount
of $100,000.
Anaheim has already demonstrated leadership through the Anaheim Contigo Fund, which has provided
critical assistance to hundreds of families facing hardship. However, as city staff have acknowledged, the
current program is limited in scope and resources, particularly when it comes to addressing the growing
need for legal representation.
Legal defense is a matter of due process and fundamental fairness. Without access to legal counsel,
individuals facing deportation are significantly less likely to be able to navigate complex immigration
proceedings, even when they may have valid claims to remain in the country.
At the same time, Anaheim has been deeply impacted by immigration enforcement activity. Across
Orange County, cities are recognizing the urgency of this moment and stepping up to protect their
communities. Most recently, the City of Irvine approved the creation of a legal aid fund to connect
immigrant families with attorneys and provide immediate representation, emphasizing the importance of
due process and community safety.
If Anaheim acts now, it would join a growing list of cities including Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Irvine
that are investing in legal defense infrastructure to ensure residents are not left to face detention and
deportation alone.
We respectfully urge the City Council to establish a immigration legal defense fund in the amount of
$100,000, ensuring it provides timely access to legal representation, including intake, screenings, and
direct legal services. The City should partner with trusted community-based organizations and legal
service providers to ensure services are delivered efficiently and in a timely manner.
At a time when fear and uncertainty are rising, Anaheim has the opportunity to lead with compassion,
fairness, and a commitment to justice.
Sincerely,
Bulmaro Vicente
Policy and Political Director
Chispa