National City could launch a program that would offer legal aid to people facing potential deportation in immigration court.
The City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to have the city explore how such a service would work, its costs, who could use it and potential legal liabilities.
Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, whose office will spearhead the research, proposed the city take on the effort.
“There’s a lot of fear in our community and I, personally, feel it’s our job as a city to look after every one of our residents in our community,” he said.
Defendants in the criminal legal system are provided attorneys free of cost if they cannot afford them. People facing deportation have the right to a lawyer, but representation is not guaranteed if they cannot afford one. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, a national research and policy nonprofit, most go unrepresented.
Rodriguez said some ideas include replicating the county’s legal defense program, which has provided attorneys at no cost to immigrants in the region since April 2022.
In its first 15 months, nearly 800 people facing deportation were provided with legal representation. More than 30 faced deportation due to an alleged or proven criminal act and about 470 clients were released from custody pending the outcome of their cases, according to a report by the San Diego County Public Defender Office of Assigned Counsel and Public Safety Group. The report said the program costs totaled over $4.1 million.
The Vera Institute of Justice says there are more than 55 jurisdictions nationwide funding similar deportation defense programs.
National City could also try tapping into a $25 million state fund for local efforts providing immigration legal defense services, Rodriguez said. The city could also open up underutilized public spaces where services could be offered.
“It could be one of those or a combination of things,” he added. “We will be having community gatherings and will come up with a recommendation for the council.”
During public comment, one person raised concerns about the potential for spending city funds on immigration aid while others argued that such a program offers free legal help to people who are still part of the community.
Rodriguez said he will bring a recommendation before the council in the coming months.
