Overview
- The Governor’s office released $35 million set aside by the Legislature to 33 philanthropic partners to connect families with removal-defense attorneys, food assistance, and other essentials.
- The rollout answers President Trump’s broadened deportation agenda supported by $170 billion in federal enforcement funding over four years.
- State rules bar using these funds to defend people with serious or violent felony convictions from deportation.
- Some funding may train immigration attorneys to file federal habeas petitions as judges across the country have found unlawful detentions and federal courts provide the path to release.
- The allocation proceeds despite a projected $2.9 billion state deficit and recent limits on immigrant health coverage, drawing GOP criticism from Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and support from Democratic leaders including State Sen. Lena Gonzalez.