Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias is proposing a $1 million immigration legal defense fund to help city residents facing deportation proceedings, following increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the Central Valley.
The proposal is scheduled for consideration at the Fresno City Council’s Thursday, Oct. 22, meeting. According to city records, the resolution would reestablish the Immigration Legal Defense Fund and direct the city to identify funding for legal services.
The measure, listed as Agenda Item 2-BB, would direct the city manager’s administration to prioritize identifying $1 million for the program through the fiscal year 2027 midyear budget process. The resolution is subject to a mayoral veto.
The proposal calls for the City Attorney’s Office to administer the program, with qualified outside legal service providers representing eligible Fresno residents in immigration-related proceedings.
Arias announced the proposal Monday, Oct. 19, citing recent enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he said have disrupted daily life for immigrant families.
“Over the last two weeks, we have seen ICE terrorize our community, leaving families afraid to go to work, take their children to school, or shop for groceries,” Arias said in a statement.
“Residents across the Valley have called on leaders to take action. This action would provide immigrant residents with legal support to protect their constitutional rights and defend them against ICE’s unconstitutional actions,” he added.
The proposed fund would cover immigration-related legal defense services for Fresno residents, according to Arias’ announcement.
However, approval of the resolution would not necessarily make the full $1 million immediately available. The proposal directs city officials to identify available funding, with any allocation subject to the city’s budget process.
The proposal does not identify a specific funding source.
Details about eligibility requirements, the number of residents who could receive assistance and the selection of legal service providers have not been fully established.
Arias scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon at Fresno City Hall to discuss the proposal.
The Fresno City Council is scheduled to meet Thursday at 9 a.m.
