The county Board of Supervisors approved a $500,000 private grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation on Tuesday supporting a county program that provides free legal representation to detained immigrants.
The Immigrant Legal Defense Program, which the board recently expanded to include unaccompanied immigrant minors, operates with an annual budget of $5 million.
The program was created to help ensure that immigrants facing deportation have access to an attorney in court.
Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, the board’s chair, who introduced the motion, wrote in a board letter that, “given the scale of current federal enforcement raids, demand on this program is rising and the need for new partnerships is stronger than ever.”
While immigrants have the right to an attorney during immigration proceedings, the federal government is generally not required to provide one.
Since its establishment in 2022, the program has provided representation for 2,100 people from more than 60 countries — more than half of whom received counsel during fiscal 2025.
“Everyone deserves a fair day in court, and thanks to this program, thousands of our neighbors have not been left to navigate the legal system without an attorney,” Lawson-Remer said in a statement. “This partnership shows how we are building a community movement to defend constitutional rights and help families stay together.”
Supervisor Jim Desmond voiced opposition and reiterated that he does not support the county program. “I do not think this is the county’s role or a priority for San Diego County taxpayers,” he said.
Earlier this month, he voted in favor of widening the scope of the program, but said at the time that he only did so because the expansion concerned children.
“Frankly, I would rather see all the money going to only legal defense for minors if that’s the case,” he said Tuesday. “But I don’t agree that our budget should include paying for illegal immigrant legal defense funding.”
Of the 2,108 cases taken on by the program since its launch, 848 remain open. Officials reported that most of the 1,260 closed cases ended with relief granted, dismissal or release from custody. There were 406 other cases that were closed for reasons such as a change of venue, attorney withdrawal or at the client’s request. Another 296 cases ended with departures, including removal orders, self-deportation and voluntary exits.
“Access to legal representation is a cornerstone of American justice and a reflection of our shared humanity,” Grant Oliphant, CEO and president of the San Diego-based Prebys Foundation, said in a statement.
“We are honored to stand with the County of San Diego in supporting this nationally recognized program, which helps ensure fairness, dignity, and compassion remain at the heart of how our community treats immigrants and their families.”