Summary
Advocates are pushing the city to fund the Justice Fund at $3 million in FY 27, up from last year's $2.2 million, as ICE enforcement intensifies. The mayor has proposed $1 million in structural funding, and Uranga's letter asks for $1 million every year going forward.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 24
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 3 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 7, 2026.
Impact analysis
Advocates want $3 million; the mayor has proposed $1 million structural, versus $2.2 million allocated last year.
Immigrant residents facing deportation who cannot afford private attorneys.
If funding falls below $2.2 million, fewer residents would receive legal services amid rising enforcement.
Mentions & discussions (10)
Equity and Human Relations Commission - Oct 7, 2026
The city's immigration legal defense fund has served 164 cases since 2019 but demand exceeds capacity, and its budget dropped to about $1 million this year. Community connectors are asking the commission to push for up to $3 million and to explore private donations.
City Council - Sep 15, 2026
Multiple speakers described local residents detained by ICE for nearly a year, including Ramiro Padrón Contreras, and demanded the Council do more than symbolic gestures to protect immigrant neighbors.
City Council - Sep 8, 2026
Dozens of speakers urged $3 million for immigration legal defense; the adopted budget includes $1 million (structural plus one-time). Advocates called anything below last year's $2.2 million a disservice.
Budget Oversight Committee - Special Meeting - Sep 1, 2026
Advocates are pushing the city to fund the Justice Fund at $3 million in FY 27, up from last year's $2.2 million, as ICE enforcement intensifies. The mayor has proposed $1 million in structural funding, and Uranga's letter asks for $1 million every year going forward.
City Council - Sep 1, 2026
Dozens of advocates asked for $3 million for the Justice Fund, $2.2 million for tenant right to counsel, and $200,000 for the Community Land Trust, citing increased ICE enforcement. The mayor has recommended $1 million; negotiations continue before budget adoption.
Budget Oversight Committee - Aug 18, 2026
A community coalition asked the city for $3 million in structural funding for the Long Beach Justice Fund, which pays for immigration legal services, ahead of the budget being finalized.
Budget Oversight Committee - Aug 17, 2026
Multiple speakers demanded $3 million in new structural funding for the Long Beach Justice Fund, which pays for legal representation for immigrants facing detention and deportation.
Budget Oversight Committee - Aug 4, 2026
Organizers asked the committee to preserve and grow the Justice Fund, which provides free legal representation to immigrants facing detention and deportation, amid increased federal immigration enforcement.
City Council Special Meeting - Aug 4, 2026
Advocates asked the council to boost the Justice Fund to $3 million to help immigrants facing ICE detention. The mayor's plan restores the Office of Equity position and adds one-time money to bring this year's fund to $1 million — short of the ask, but a lifeline.
Equity and Human Relations Commission - Mar 4, 2026
Seven recommendations headed to City Council to strengthen the Long Beach Values Act, create an interagency immigrant protection task force, fund deportation defense and rapid response, and tighten data and AI privacy rules. Commissioners flagged the city's $80 million budget deficit as a funding challenge.
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