Budget Includes One-Time $175 Million Investment
(Sacramento, Calif.) — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, June 29, signed into law a final budget that includes a one-time $100 million increase for a total of $175 million for essential immigrant legal services in California’s FY 2026-27 State Budget, reaffirming the state’s commitment to due process protections for all.
The 150 nonprofit organizations across California providing these critical services thank Gov. Newsom and the Legislature for prioritizing the support immigrant families need during a time of punitive federal policies are driving a mass deportation campaign. In Washington, the Republican-controlled Congress voted to give ICE a staggering $70 billion more in funds — on top of the $170 billion already earmarked for immigration enforcement — choosing to do Trump's bidding.
Studies show that people with legal counsel in immigration detention are up to 10 times more likely to obtain relief they are eligible for than those without a lawyer. Currently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is detaining more than 5,800 Californians in for-profit, private detention facilities across our state, with 35% of Californians in detention facing immigration court proceedings without legal counsel to protect their rights or help them navigate a complex legal system.
The state budget’s continued investment in California’s Immigration Legal Services Programs ensure tens of thousands of Californians can access quality legal representation to safeguard their constitutional protections, keeping families together, and allowing them to continue working, and contributing to the state’s economy.
Here are quotes from immigrant legal service providers:
“This increase is needed given the billions earmarked by Congress for federal immigration enforcement–more than $200 billion,” said Abraham Bedoy, California Policy and Government Affairs Manager for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). “This increase will allow organizations across California providing critical legal services to immigrant families to expand their capacity during this tumultuous political moment.”
“California shows once again that when it comes to fighting the mass deportation agenda, we stand at the forefront of justice,” said Huy Tran, Executive Director at SIREN. “Congress just allocated another $70 billion to separating families and terrorizing our communities. The ridiculous amount of funding being given to an agency that murders US citizens and mistreats immigrants must be met with an investment by our state where over a quarter of our residents are immigrants.”
Alexandra Morales, advocacy and external relations director of Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) shared, "At a time when federal immigration enforcement is expanding and families are living with heightened fear and uncertainty across the country, California is stepping up to lead. ImmDef applauds the Governor and Legislature for making a significant commitment to immigration legal services and recognizing the urgent need for representation. This funding will help ensure that more Californians facing detention and deportation are not forced to navigate the system alone. As the state's largest deportation defense provider, we are committed to working alongside state leaders and legal service partners to maximize the impact of this investment and expand access to representation for impacted Californians. This commitment reflects the state's recognition that access to legal representation is essential to upholding due process and protecting constitutional rights."
“Every day, Californians — including families and children — face deportation proceedings in immigration court without a lawyer, up against a government prosecutor and a rogue, lawless administration,” said Bruno Huizar, supervising policy manager with the California Immigrant Policy Center. “We commend the California Legislature and Governor for increasing state funding for vital legal services that defend the safety and rights of Californians detained by ICE and facing deportation.”
“We applaud Governor Newsom and the California legislature for making a bold investment in California’s immigration legal services programs, reaffirming the state’s leadership in protecting due process and ensuring that Californians facing deportation have access to effective legal counsel. California is demonstrating what it means to defend fairness, justice, and the rule of law,” said Arisel Garcia, senior program associate for the Advancing Universal Representation initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice. “As cruel and unlawful attacks from the federal government continue to target our immigrant neighbors, California is showing that investing in legal representation is essential to protecting families, strengthening communities, and upholding due process.”
“California's decision to increase funding for immigration legal services sends a powerful message that due process and access to justice remain priorities in our state,” said Martha Arévalo, CARECEN-LA Executive Director. “At a time when immigrant communities are confronting unprecedented attacks and growing legal needs under the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, this investment will help ensure more families have access to trusted legal counsel, stability, and the opportunity to defend their rights. We thank Governor Newsom and the Legislature for continuing to lead with courage and compassion by investing in the communities that contribute so much to California’s social, cultural, and economic fabric.”