Anaheim families struggling to navigate the immigration system after a loved one gets detained by federal agents could soon have an easier time getting connected with an immigration attorney.
City officials are looking to partner with a nonprofit immigration law center that could see a hotline and a rapid referral program to help get people connected to a lawyer within 24 hours after someone gets detained by ICE agents – a timeframe that’s considered critical.
“Those first 24 to 72 hours can be everything. That’s when the decisions get made that shape everything that happens after that,” Councilman Carlos Leon said during Tuesday’s meeting.
Leon, who spearheaded the proposal, recounted a story of a local family.
“It’s early morning, a father leaves for work – a person that’s holding everything together for their family. And they don’t come home,” Leon said. “Now this family’s trying to figure out what to do next. The kids still need to eat, the bills are still due.”
“That family is real – I know because I took that call,” he added. “I also knew that in that moment I wasn’t going to be able to refer her to someone with the legal expertise … that’s a gap that I hope we’re able to close tonight.”
The city manager is expected to enter into an agreement with a local nonprofit immigration law clinic for up to $100,000 — eventually coming back to the city council to give a public update.
It comes eight months after ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents began widespread deportation sweeps throughout Southern California, which led to a series of protests throughout Orange County and its neighbors.
The deportation sweeps also spurred cities like Anaheim, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana to create relief funds for families impacted by the ICE raids.
While Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have legal assistance as part of their programs, Anaheim doesn’t – yet.
Struggling to Navigate Immigration Law
At Tuesday’s meeting, Anaheim city spokesman Mike Lyster said a legal aid fund and referral program is a critical addition to the city’s existing efforts.
“We have gone out and worked directly with families and provided them with the best guidance we can provide,” Lyster told city council members. “Most families we approach, they have a shell-shocked look. They have no idea what to do.”
Lyster and his communications team post daily updates on the city’s immigration resources website – Anaheim Contigo – which details where ICE raids have happened, along with information about people’s rights and the city’s response to the deportation sweeps.
Like Councilman Leon, he said locating a detained loved one and getting them legal resources is key within the first 24 to 48 hours of detention.
“Those are critical hours where families are frankly struggling to figure out what has happened, where their loved one is and what to do next,” Lyster said.
Acting City Manager Greg Garcia said officials recognized that a legal aid program was sorely needed.
“It’s providing immediate access to legal consultation,” Garcia said. “Making sure that we allow an opportunity for those who are detained to connect with a staff attorney.”
Despite her college degree, Councilwoman Norma Campos Kurtz said she wouldn’t know what to do if she or a loved one got caught up in a deportation sweep.
“I wouldn’t know where to go. I can only imagine what our residents are feeling – the fear they have of not knowing what to do,” Kurtz said.
City council members voted unanimously to begin the process of creating a legal aid program for residents.
Avoiding Scams
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said contracting with a professional will help families impacted by the ICE raids.
“Having somebody under contract that we can direct people to to get the truth .. is really important.”
Councilwoman Natalie Meeks said the program can help residents avoid getting scammed by people preying on families trying to navigate the immigration system.
“I’m happy to help people to find that path and avoid those things … being exploited by people who are trying to profit from this situation,” Meeks said. “We can refer them to the right people to help them with their legal process longterm.”
Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava said an education component can also help people avoid getting scammed.
“I think educating them on who to trust, what a scam looks like – would be essential,” Rubalcava said, adding that she’s seen some people become notaries looking to make money off the legal process, despite not knowing the immigration system.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the agreement would need to come back to the city council for approval. The city manager was given the authority to enter in the agreement. We regret the error.
Editor’s note: Anaheim MayorAshleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.
