The Fresno City Council is allocating $1 million to reestablish the city’s immigrant legal defense fund.
The council voted 5-1 to approve the fund on Thursday. Councilman Nick Richardson cast the lone dissenting vote, and Councilman Tyler Maxwell was absent.
The big picture: Thursday’s vote refills funding to the fund that was initially established in 2022 in a move led by former Councilman Luis Chavez.
Funding will come from expected salary savings in the mid-year budget.
The Fresno City Attorney’s Office will run the program, which will cover legal fees for Fresno residents who might be detained by federal immigration authorities illegally.
What they’re saying: Councilman Miguel Arias, who brought the item to the council, said the city has a responsibility to stand up for its residents.
“Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Fresno,” Arias said in a statement. “They are our neighbors, coworkers, business owners, and taxpayers who contribute to our local economy, strengthen our neighborhoods, and play an essential role in our city’s continued growth and prosperity. They deserve dignity, fairness, and full Constitutional protection.”