SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 21, unanimously directed the City Manager to continue the Ayuda Sin Fronteras program with at least an additional $100,000 in funding to support residents who have been impacted by recent immigration enforcement operations.
The City Council created the Ayuda Sin Fronteras (Help Without Borders) program in July following the unprecedented presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and U.S. military in the city. The program provides emergency financial assistance to help with rent, utilities or both to individuals or families with members who have been detained, deported, or financially impacted by immigration enforcement. Ayuda Sin Fronteras has helped 232 individuals within 109 households as of Oct. 21.
“The Santa Ana City Council will continue to support our immigrant communities and advocate for their civil rights. Every person, regardless of their immigration status, has a right to be treated with fairness and dignity under the law,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “Santa Ana’s strength is rooted in its diversity, resilience and the contributions of our immigrant communities. We are proud to stand with our immigrant neighbors.”
GET HELP
- Ayuda Sin Fronteras: (714) 565-2655
- Legal Defense: (213) 634-0999
The City Council has taken several actions to address the impact of recent immigration enforcement operations on the Santa Ana community.
In July, the City Council voted to join a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent federal immigration authorities from conducting unlawful and unconstitutional stops based on factors such as race and ethnicity. In August, the City Council approved a $250,000 agreement with Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) to provide immigration legal services to Santa Ana residents facing deportation.
The City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Police Department do not and will not assist federal immigration enforcement actions, in compliance with the California Values Act and City ordinance. The City remains committed to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of every resident during this difficult time.