(San Francisco)—California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature announced a budget agreement over the weekend that leaves intact funding for critical immigrant legal services. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is thankful that state officials see the immense value in these programs and the importance of protecting the communities these services impact.
“The ILRC and our partners worked tirelessly advocating and educating state lawmakers on the importance of these programs, and we are thankful to see them recognize their impact,” said ILRC Policy & Community Specialist Abraham Bedoy. “We look forward to seeing these programs continue to help even more Californians.”
Critical funding to support on-campus immigration legal services on California State University campuses and Temporary Protected Status immigration services were threatened with cuts under previous versions of the budget. The Public Defender Pilot Program was also restored.
While the ILRC and our partners celebrate this victory, we continue pushing for other important priorities left unprotected and unfunded in this budget agreement like the Children’s Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP), a program aimed at providing unaccompanied minors with holistic legal representation.
We will continue tracking budget negotiations closely and urge Governor Newsom, his administration, and the Legislature to prioritize immigrant Californians through proactive policymaking that provides sustainability, dignity, and protection for all.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC