28 (06)You don't often get email from npalacios@caimmigrant.org. Learn why this is important
Date:3/24/2026 3:31:02 PM
From:"Norma Palacios" npalacios@caimmigrant.org
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] CIPC Written Public Comment in Support of Agenda Item 28 – Urgent Re que st to Establish a City-
Supported Immigration Legal Defense Fund
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Dear Mayor Aitken and Members of the Anaheim City Council,
My name is Norma Palacios and I write on behalf of the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) to express our s upport on Agenda
Item 28 urging the City of Anaheim to establish a dedicated immigration legal defense fund to support residents and families impac ted by
ongoing immigration enforcement raids in the estimated range of $50,000 to $100,000.
CIPC is a statewide immigrant rights organization advocating for policies that uphold the hum anity of im migrants and refugees .
Anaheim has already demonstrated leadership through the Anaheim Contigo Fund, whic h has provided critic al assis tanc e to hundreds
of families facing economic hardships. However, the current program is limited in scope and res ources, particularly when it comes to
addressing the growing need for legal representation.
Legal defense is a lifeline for immigrants facing deportation by ensuring that their fundamental legal rights are protec ted and there is
fairness in the outcome of their case. Studies have shown that people with legal counsel in im migration detention are up to 10 times
more likely to obtain relief than those without a lawyer. Without access to legal counsel, individuals facing deportation are unable to
navigate complex immigration proceedings, which can result in unjust removals.
Today, the Orange County Board of Supervisors held the annual TRUTH Act hearing where c omm unity members raised concerns
regarding the high number of county residents- over 200 immigrants, mostly from Mexico and Vietnam - who have been trans ferred to
Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) by the sheriff department. These are community m embers who are in desperate need of
legal services to ensure they have the opportunity to make their case to remain in the U.S. where they have created a life for thems elves
and their families.
Across the county, cities are recognizing the urgency of this moment and have moved forward with es tablis hing legal servic es funds.
Most recently, the City of Irvine approved the creation of a legal aid fund to connect immigrant fam ilies with attorneys and provide
immediate representation, emphasizing the importance of due process and community s afety.
Anaheim must follow the footsteps of cities like Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Irvine that are inves ting in legal defens e infras tructure to
ensure residents are not left to face detention and deportation alone.
For these reasons, we respectfully urge the City Council to establish an immigration legal defense fund so immigrants fac ing deportation
could have access to legal representation. W e also request that the City partner with trus ted c omm unity-based organizations and legal
service providers to ensure services are delivered efficiently and in a timely manner. At a tim e when immigrant c ommunities are facing
fear and uncertainty, Anaheim has the opportunity to lead with compassion, fairness, and a com mitment to jus tice.
Thank you for the consideration of our position.
Sincerely,
Norma Palacios
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Norma Palacios
Statewide Organizing Manager
California Immigrant Policy Center
e: npalacios@caimmigrant.org
w: caimmigrant.org