Just two people spoke out against the proposal during public comment, primarily arguing that an allocation of this kind is not the city\u2019s role and fiscally irresponsible.<\/p>\n
Over a dozen residents urged support, including Jesus Martinez, the executive director of the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative. He described the need for legal aid for immigrants in Fresno as urgent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have in the Central Valley and the City of Fresno immigrant populations that have been here for 10, 15, 20, 30 years,\u201d he said. \u201cThey contribute to the economy, they contribute to our culture, they contribute to our society, but what does not exist in adequate (measure) are protections to defend their rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe as a city need to respond to the needs of immigrants and consider them full residents with access to full rights,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n
Arias compares it to other emergency funds the city provides to different groups of residents, such as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Alfred Aldrete, with Fresno Resistance, applauded Arias for bringing the resolution forward, but encouraged the council to do more to help the immigrant community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should be doing our best to make sure that all residents of Fresno and the Central Valley are protected,\u201d Aldrete said. \u201cThis is a great step, but like many other people before me said, this is not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
State providing $3M to Valley orgs for immigrant aid<\/p>\n
During the council meeting, dozens rallied outside of City Hall to protest ICE\u2019s presence in Fresno and demand city officials take action to help immigrants.<\/p>\n
Protesters rally outside Fresno City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, to call on local elected officials to do more to help immigrants amid an ongoing federal enforcement surge in the Central Valley. ERIK GALICIA egalicia@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n
Speaking at the rally, California Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat whose District 27 covers Fresno, Madera and Merced counties, said she has secured $3 million in state money for various community-based organizations providing aid to immigrants in her district. She\u2019s currently running for state Senate District 14.<\/p>\n
Many of those nonprofit aid groups are stretched thin because of the increase in immigration detentions, Soria told The Bee. She added that they need attorneys to file habeas corpus petitions<\/a>, which are legal procedures that challenge unlawful detentions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have as many attorneys that we need to be able to provide the legal resources,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping that those resources will help build the capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n The state lawmaker said she tried to establish an immigration legal defense fund in Fresno in 2017, when she was a city councilmember. Though her proposal failed at the time, Soria said she is \u201cproud that this council saw the light.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese families live here, they\u2019re residents, they\u2019re paying taxes,\u201d she said of the immigrant community. \u201cIt\u2019s about time local (elected representatives) step up.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published October 22, 2026 at 3:41 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Protesters rally outside Fresno City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, to call on local elected officials to do more to help immigrants amid an ongoing federal enforcement surge in the Central Valley. ERIK GALICIA egalicia@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n
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