The Santa Ana City Council reaffirmed its commitment to the immigrant community by approving an agreement that will allow Santa Ana residents facing deportation or removal proceedings to continue to access free immigration legal services.
On Tuesday, August 19, the City Council approved a $250,000 agreement with Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), the largest deportation defense nonprofit organization in Southern California. The agreement provides funding through August 18, 2026, with up to two optional one-year extensions at the same funding level. Santa Ana has maintained a longstanding partnership with ImmDef since 2017.
“The City of Santa Ana believes in the right to security, equality and due process for all people in our community,” said Mayor Valerie Amezcua. “We are proud to continue our partnership with ImmDef to ensure that our residents have access to the legal services they need, regardless of their immigration status, income or other circumstances.”
ImmDef delivers comprehensive removal defense before immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Homeland Security, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. ImmDef attorneys represent clients in both detained and non-detained proceedings, with expertise in asylum, withholding of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), T and U visas, and motions to reopen. ImmDef’s universal representation model and structured intake process prioritize equitable access by focusing on income, residency, and lack of counsel.
This investment builds on Santa Ana’s broader immigrant support strategy. In July, the Santa Ana City Council also approved $100,000 in funding for the Santa Ana Ayuda Sin Fronteras (Help Without Borders) program to provide residents who have been financially impacted by immigration enforcement with up to one month’s worth of housing expenses to help with past-due rent and utility bills. Learn more about the Ayuda Sin Fronteras program and how you may be eligible to receive assistance.
For more information and to seek assistance from ImmDef, please visit the City’s Immigration Legal Defense website.
Editor’s Note – reviews of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Reviews for the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) are mixed, with employees generally praising its mission and impact but citing concerns about compensation and management structure, while watchdog groups like Charity Navigator give it high marks for accountability and finance. Employees on sites like Glassdoor report a positive work environment with supportive staff and smart colleagues, though some mention frustration with administrative processes and a developing top-down hierarchy as the organization grows.
Employee Reviews (from Glassdoor and Indeed)
- Positives:
- Mission-Driven Work: Employees value working for a cause they believe in, with many expressing excitement about supporting clients and changing individual lives.
- Collegial Environment: Many reviewers highlight a supportive and collegial atmosphere, with intelligent and delightful colleagues.
- Learning Opportunities: Staff often report significant learning and professional development during their time at ImmDef.
- Concerns:
- Compensation: Several employees note that pay is low, even for a nonprofit, especially for support staff.
- Management & Structure: Some reviewers describe frustration with organizational structure and decision-making, feeling that the organization is becoming more top-down and less receptive to staff input as it grows.
- Work-Life Balance: One review indicates a lower rating for work-life balance, although overall satisfaction is rated relatively high.