August 12, 2025
County of Ventura Board of Supervisors
800 S. Victoria
Ventura CA 93009
Subject: Receive and File a Presentation on the Community Impact of Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions in Ventura County; Establish a Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund and Approve $250,000 for the Purpose of the Fund; Adopt a Resolution to Create Seven Fixed-Term Positions in the Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Unit and Approve an Annual Cost of Approximately $1,294,612; Authorize and Direct the County Executive Officer to Enter Into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ventura County Office of Education to Support a Migrant Education Program in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,900,000 over a Three -Year Term; Direct the County Executive Officer to Establish Policies, Protocols and Training for Staff Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement Activities; Approve Amendments to the County’s 2025-2026 State and Federal Legislative Agenda and Platform Regarding Immigration and Related Community Matters; and Approve Reallocation of Supervisor Lopez’ Recent Salary Increase to the Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund. (Recommendations 2, 3, & 4 Require 4/5ths Vote)
Recommendations:
Given the recent federal immigration enforcement activities in our community, I request that our Board take the following actions:
1. Receive and file a presentation from the following community-based organizations, the Ventura County Office of Education, and County agencies on the community impact of recent federal immigration enforcement activities in Ventura County, including the federal operation in the unincorporated area near Camarillo on July 10, 2025:
• Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) • 805 UndocuFund
• Economic Development Collaborative
• Ventura County Office of Education
• Ventura County Public Defender
• Ventura County Human Services Agency
• Ventura County Health Care Agency
JANICE S. PARVIN, CHAIR
MATT LAVERE
JEFF GORELL
KELLY LONG
VIANEY LOPEZ
SUPERVISOR
VIANEY LOPEZ
Fifth District
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
2. Establish a Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund (“Fund”) to support community-based organizations in providing a broad range of legal, educational, and outreach services to community members who are affected or potentially affected by federal immigration enforcement activities ; approve appropriations in the amount of $250,000 for use of the Fund’s purpose; delegate authority to the County Executive Officer or designee, in consultation with the Public Defender’s Office, to manage and distribute the Fund, including establishing the Fund grant eligibility criteria and grant application process, and selecting Fund award recipients based on said criteria; authorize the County Executive Officer to enter into grant award agreements and other agreements related to the administration of the Fund subject to approval as to form by County Counsel; authorize the Auditor-Controller to process the accounting transactions necessary to revise appropriations and adjust fund balance as follows (requires 4/5 vote):
Increase Div 1050 Contributions and Grants to Non
Governmental Agencies (2196)
$250,000
Decrease Fund G001 Fund Balance – Assigned to Program
Mitigation (5818)
$250,000
3. Adopt a resolution (Exhibit 1) establishing seven (7) fixed- term positions in the Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Unit, effective August 17, 2025, through June 30, 2028, at an annual cost of approximately $1,294,612 for this fiscal year.
Authorize the Auditor-Controller to process the accounting transactions necessary to revise appropriations and adjust fund balance as follows (requires 4/5 vote):
Increase Div 2200 Salaries and Benefits $1,294,612
Decrease Fund G001 Fund Balance – Assigned to Program
Mitigation (5818)
$1,294,612
4. Authorize the C ounty Executive Officer or designee to develop and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) to provide up to $1,900,000 over a three- year term to support VCOE’s Migrant Education Program (MEP) services in Ventura County should federal funds to VCOE for the MEP be significantly reduced or eliminated. Said MOU subject to approval as to form by County Counsel. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to process the accounting transactions necessary to revi se appropriations and adjust fund balance as follows (requires 4/5 vote):
Increase Div 1050 Other Charges $1,900,000
Decrease Fund G001 Fund Balance – Assigned to Program
Mitigation (5818)
$1,900,000
5. Direct the County Executive Office, in consultation with County Counsel, to prepare policies and protocols for County staff regarding access to and use of County County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
facilities by federal officials engaging in immigration enforcement activities and provide training to County staff regarding the policies and protocols.
6. Amend the County of Ventura 2025-26 State and Federal Legislative Agenda and Platform by inserting the following new policies or policy language:
• NEW POLICY 1.10 Legislation and funding to protect people and communities by ensuring actions by federal officials are transparent and safe, and affected communities have access to information, legal counsel, and due process, including administrative and judicial appeal rights.
• NEW POLICY 1.11 Federal only – Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform that builds clear pathways to citizenship, invests in capacity for a safe, orderly, humane process (including access to medical care, legal counsel, and communication with family), and facilitates and expands leg al immigration to bolster our economy.
• NEW POLICY LANGUAGE IN UNDERLINE 2.2 [Efforts to provide equitable funding and access to indigent defense services, ensuring fairness and integrity in the criminal legal system,] including for immigration-related proceedings.
7. Approve a contribution from the General Fund of an amount equal to the variance of base salary adjustment given Supervisor Vianey Lopez’ decline of the recent pay base salary increase on an annual basis to fund a Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund.
Fiscal Impact:
Immigration Legal Defense Fund
CEO Division 1050 Special Accounts and Contributions
FY 2025-26
Revenues $0
Cost $250,000
Net County Cost $250,000
Fixed Term Positions
PDO Division 2200 Public Defender’s Office
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28
Revenues $0 $0 $0
Cost $1,294,612 $1,340,000 $1,387,000
Net County Cost $1,294,612 $1,340,000 $1,387,000
Ventura County Office of Education
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
CEO Division 1050 Special Accounts and Contributions
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28
Revenues $0 $0 $0
Cost $650,000 $650,000 $600,000
Net County Cost $650,000 $650,000 $600,000
Executive Summary:
As recent federal immigration enforcement activities have taken place in Ventura County, I request our Board take several actions to support our immigrant communities and continue providing for the health and safety of our county.
Background
Ventura County Population
According to data from the 2023 American Community Survey, 22.9 percent, or about 190,000 people, of Ventura County’s population is foreign- born. About 128,000 people were born in Latin America, and nearly 45,000 people in Asia. Of the foreign- born population, approximately 54 percent are naturalized U.S. citizens, while approximately 46 percent are not U.S. citizens 1, representing a mix of statuses . These would include lawful permanent status (green- card holders), refugee and asylee, legal visas such as student visa, work visa or other temporary visa, and people who reside without legal status. In Ventura County, about 3 in 7 children have at least one immigrant parent, and the majority of children in Ventura County with at least one immigrant parent, almost 91 percent, were born in the United States
2. Estimates by the Bay Area Council Economic
Institute and UC Merced suggest that on the Central Coast (Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties), 4.9 percent of the population do not have legal status3.
Recent Immigration Actions
Over the last several months, Ventura County residents have observed an increase in immigration enforcement activities by federal officials across the c ounty. These actions have had a chilling effect on our community by creating a culture of fear, concern, and intimidation across our community regardless of immigration status or where a person was born.
Federal officials have been observed in many of our cities, including Camarillo, Oxnard, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura, and in unincorporated areas of the County. Since early June, federal officials have been observed across Southern California detaining people at worksites and in public areas while wearing masks that obscure their faces and without producing judicial warrants for specific individuals. On July 10, 2025, federal officials carried out a significant enforcement action at Glasshouse Farms accompanied by armed military personnel in unincorporated
1 https://data.census.gov/profile/Ventura_County,_California?g=050XX00US06111 and https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP1Y2023.DP02?g=050XX00US06111 2 https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2023.C05009?g=050XX00US06111 3 https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/report/economic-impact-of-mass-deportation-in-california/ County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
Camarillo and Carpinteria, detaining a reported 361 people from both locations. As of July 23, 2025, 805Undocufund estimated that as many as 620 people have been detained from the region since mid- January, 493 of them from Ventura County
4. It has also been
reported that people are being detained and removed (deported) without seeing a judge or getting a hearing; people are also being moved quickly out of the state where they reside, a system that makes it difficult for them to access legal representation. People are also being removed to countries where they have no personal connections.
Health, Safety, and Educational Impacts
Local service providers, schools, and health care providers have expressed concern as people are staying home instead of attending work, going to medical appointments, or sending children to school.
Economic and Fiscal Impacts
Effects from immigration enforcement actions have reverberated across our local economy, impacting businesses and industries. The Farm Bureau of Ventura County released a statement on June 10, 2025, noting the county’s $2 billion agricultural industry and the economy is threatened by recent actions: “When our workforce is afraid, fields go unharvested, packinghouses fall behind, and market supply chains, from local grocery stores to national retailers, are affected.” A June report released by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and UC Merced noted large- scale enforcement actions could trigger widespread labor disruptions with ripple effects across the state and nationwide
5. Further
analysis from UC Merced showed that during the escalated immigration enforcement during the week of June 8, 2025, private sector work decreased by about 3.1 percent across California; these rates of decline were higher in noncitizens and women
6. Legal Representation and Due Process
The Vera Institute of Justice reports that through the end of June 2025 approximately 375,934 people in the state of California were facing removal ; of the 3,379 people detained, about 40 percent do not have legal representation 7. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, of 34,200 pending cases in Ventura County about 13,000 are unrepresented (38 percent) and about 43 percent of detained pending cases in Ventura County are unrepresented8.
Litigation
Legal actions have been filed regarding federal immigration actions. Several Southern California cities, the County of Los Angeles, and California’s Attorney General have elected to participate in a class action lawsuit for the protection of due process, access to
4 https://www.independent.com/2025/07/24/more-than-620-arrests-reported-in-immigration-operations-on- central-coast/
5 https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/report/economic-impact-of-mass-deportation-in-california/ 6https://clc.ucmerced.edu/sites/g/files/ufvvjh626/f/page/documents/effects_of_federal_immigration_enforce ment_4.pdf
7 https://www.vera.org/ending-mass-incarceration/reducing-incarceration/detention-of- immigrants/advancing-universal-representation-initiative/immigration-court-legal-representation-dashboard 8 https://www.justice.gov/eoir/foia-library-0
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
counsel for people in immigration detention and end unlawful and indiscriminate stops and arrests.9 I have requested County Counsel review this and other related litigation.
Discussion:
Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund
I request our Board support the establishment of a Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund (Fund) and approve a $250,000 contribution to the Fund to bolster access to a broad scope of accessible legal , educational, and outreach resources to ensure access to due process, legal resources, and legal rights education. This Fund is intended for community-based organizations to increase awareness and education throughout Ventura County. It is not intended to provide individual financial assistance. This Fund would be established and administered through the County Executive Office, where staff will develop eligibility criteria and guidelines for community-based organizations regarding expertise and experience, manage a grantee process, accept donations, and distribute funds to qualified community-based organizations. This Fund will complement existing community services focused on connecting our neighbors with resources. The Fund’s focus on legal education, outreach and resources will allow our community organizations to educate and empower people throughout Ventura County to understand their rights and navigate within the immigration legal system.
Similar funds are established in other counties:
Orange County Immigrant & Refugee Liberty Fund
The Orange County Liberty Fund is a collaboration between philanthropic partners, legal experts, community organizations, and an Orange County Supervisor. The fund is administered by OC Grantmakers and Charitable Ventures of OC. The fund distributes resour ces to community organizations, and promotes strategies like Know-Your-Rights education, community paralegals and legal navigators, and pro- se legal clinics to allow for self-representation
10. San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) San Francisco’s OCEIA provides grant opportunities to eligible nonprofits to support immigrants, language access, and civic engagement . OCEIA has grant openings throughout the year . For example, in 2025 OCEIA accepted proposals for Community Engagement and Support Grants , available to nonprofits and community-based organizations based in San Francisco11.
9 Pedro Vasquez Perdomo et al. v. Kristi Noem et al., United States District Court, Central District of California, Case No. 2:25-cv-05605-MEMF-SP
10 https://ocgrantmakers.org/oc-immigrant-and-refugee-liberty-fund/ 11 https://www.sf.gov/information--oceia-grant-opportunities County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
Public Defender Immigrant Defense Unit
I request that our Board adopt a resolution to establish seven fixed-term positions, for a period of three years, for an Immigrant Defense Unit in the Public Defender’s office and approve $1,294,612 annual budget allocation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, see Exhibit 1.
On March 22, 2022, our Board approved a grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections for the Public Defense Pilot Program, which included post - conviction services and some immigration related legal services in the Public Defender’s office. As the term of the grant closed March 2025, the Public Defender’s office has proposed a scope of work, see Exhibit 2, for an Immigrant Defense Unit to continue providing and expand such post-conviction services and some immigration related legal services to our community . The Public Defender Immigrant Defense Unit will serve individuals that have some need for post-conviction legal relief under Penal Code section 1473.6. The Public Defender Immigrant Defense Unit is not intended to represent individuals that do not need post-conviction legal relief but, in such situations, may serve as a legal resource given the lack of trusted legal resources in this area of law in our county.
Immigration services are established in other counties, including:
Alameda County Public Defender Immigration Representation Unit The Immigration Representation Unit in the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office provides deportation defense and legal representation to immigrant clients facing or likely to face imminent removal. The office was created in 2014 and today has six immigration attorneys and a legal secretary
12. Contra Costa Public Defenders Immigration Specialty Area The Contra Costa Public Defenders Office employs a full -time Deputy Public Defender Immigration Attorney . The attorney specializes in the intersection between immigration law and criminal law. He also regularly provides expert assistance as well as continuing legal education trainings for public defender offices, community-based organizations, clinics, and bar associations
13. San Diego Public Defender Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Program (IRLDP) The San Diego County Board of Supervisors created the IRLDP to offer legal representation to detained immigrants facing removal proceedings or deportation, IRLDP has been in operation since April 2022. IRDLP collaborates with contracted nonprofit organizations and panel attorneys to provide merits-blind representation, meaning it offers representation to indigent, detained and unpresented immigrants who otherwise would not have access to an attorney, without first screening for whether a case is likely to succeed or fail on its merits
14. 12 https://publicdefender.acgov.org/Immigration.page? 13 https://www.cocopublicdefenders.org/immigration
14 https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oac/docs/FY%2023- 24%20IRLDP%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%20FINAL.pdf
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
Proposed Immigrant Defense Unit Positions
Migrant Education Program - Ventura County Office of Education
I request our Board approve up to $1,900,000 total over three years for the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) to provide support to VCOE’s Migrant Education Programs (MEP) and services, should federal dollars to VCOE for the MEP be significantly reduced or eliminated. The funding is not intended to expand the MEP and services, only replace what has been reduced or eliminated.
Federally-funded MEP programs were established in the 1960s and today help ensure “children reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a high school equivalency diploma) that prepares them for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment.” 15 Recent federal actions have
indicated that MEP may not continue receiving federal funds in future budget years.
In Ventura County, the Ventura County Office of Education serves students in 13 school districts at about 100 schools through its MEP. Students are eligible if a parent or guardian is a migratory worker in the agricultural, dairy, lumber, or fishing industries and whose family has moved during the past three years. MEP results in maintaining stability to our local economy of families that are active and vital contributors to our local economy.
County Policies and Trainings
I request our Board direct the County Executive Office, in consultation with County Counsel, to develop protocols and policies for County staff regarding access to and use of County facilities by federal officials engaging in immigration enforcement activities. And develop training to support County staff working in public settings regarding such protocols and policies. Priority should be given to staff working within Health Care Agency, Human Services Agency, in agricultural settings, along with staff in the General Services
15 https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/formula-grants/formula-grants-special-populations/migrant- education-program-title-i-part-c-state-grants
Budget
Unit
Class
Code
Classification
FTE ATH Annual Salary Range
2202 01568 Senior Attorney 1.0 1 $155,986.02 - $223,254.47
2202 00219 Attorney III 3.0 3 $161,370.09 - $196,156.29
2202
00406 Community Services
Coordinator
1.0 1 $65,520.00 - $88,704.30
2202 01323 Legal Processing
Assistant III
1.0 1 $48,990.41-$68,547.05
2202 00529 Management
Assistant III-Legal
1.0 1 $62,358.88- $87,302.43
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
Agency and Public Works. Policies and training opportunities will ensure staff can continue excellent service to our community to ensure health, safety, and wellbeing.
2025-26 Ventura County State and Federal Legislative Agenda and Platform
I request our Board amend the 2025-2026 Ventura County State and Federal Legislative Agenda and Platform to guide the County’s advocacy in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. and ensure the County is engaging in relevant policies related to federal immigration enforcement actions, by adding new policies or amended policy language as follows:
New Policy - 1.10 Legislation and funding to protect people and communities by ensuring actions by federal officials are transparent and safe, and affected communities have access to information, legal counsel, and due process, including administrative and judicial appeal rights.
New Policy - 1.11 Federal only – Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform that builds clear pathways to citizenship, invests in capacity for a safe, orderly, humane process (including access to medical care, legal counsel, and communication with family), and facilitates and expands legal immigration to bolster our economy.
New Policy language in underline – Policy 2.2 - [Efforts to provide equitable funding and access to indigent defense services, ensuring fairness and integrity in the criminal legal system,] including for immigration-related proceedings.
On January 28, 2025, our Board approved the 2025-26 Ventura County State and Federal Legislative Agenda and Platform to effectively communicate our Board’s priorities to state and federal representatives. Since that time, significant policy and funding changes have come before state and federal elected officials for consideration, including some policies and funding proposals that could have a significant impact on our County.
Waive Salary Increase for Supervisor Vianey Lopez
I request our Board approve a contribution from the General Fund of the amount equal to the variance of my base salary adjustment on an annual basis to fund the Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund if such fund is established by our Board.
On June 24, 2025 our Board approved a compensation increase for Board members from seventy percent to eighty percent of the annual base salary prescribed for Judges of the California Superior Court, an annual increase of approximately $24,472.70 for base salary. Our Board was advised that we may refuse the increase by submitting a waiver.
FY 25-26 $20,852.08
FY 26-27 $24.472.70
Strategic Plan:
These actions directly support several County of Ventura strategic goals:
County of Ventura
Board of Supervisors
August 12, 2025
• Healthy, Safe, and Resilient Communities: Provide equitable and timely access to quality healthcare, mental health, and public health services. • Healthy, Safe, and Resilient Communities: Promote community resilience and strengthen our ability to withstand and recover from disaster or adversity. • Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Vitality: Foster a thriving business ecosystem to create jobs, increase wages, and strengthen the local economy. • Address Homelessness and Lift Up the Most Vulnerable: Meet/sustain basic needs and be a reliable safety net for our vulnerable populations. • Diverse and Innovative Workforce Dedicated to Service Excellence: Leverage innovation and continuous improvement to provide efficient and effective services.
This letter has been reviewed by the County Executive Office, County Counsel, CEO Human Resources and the Auditor -Controller. If you have any questions regarding this item, please contact me at [email protected] or by calling my office at (805) 654-2613.
Sincerely,
Vianey Lopez
Supervisor, Fifth District
Attachments:
Exhibit 1: Resolution
Exhibit 2: Public Defender’s Office Immigrant Defense Unit Scope of Work
Hall of Administration – 4th Floor
800 South Victoria Avenue L#1860 • Ventura, CA 93009• TEL (805) 654-2613 • FAX (805) 658 -4515 Resolution No. _______
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF VENTURA
CONCERNING CLASSIFICATIONS AND SALARY RANGES
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 903 AND 2701 OF THE COUNTY
PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, Section 903 of the Ventura County Personnel Rules and Regulations requires that the number and initial classification of authorized positions within agencies/departments shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors; and WHEREAS, Section 2701 of the County of Ventura Personnel Rules and Regulations provides that the number of positions and the classification of such positions within a department/agency shall be established from time to time by resolution of the Board;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED AND ADOPTED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In accordance with Sections 903 and 2701 of the Ventura County Personnel Rules and Regulations, the following seven (7) fixed term position allocations are added in the Public Defenders Office (PDO), effective August 17, 2025 through June 30, 2028:
Job
Code Description Business
Unit
Dept.
(Unit) FTE Compensation
Frequency Salary Range
1568 Senior Attorney PDO 2202 1.0 Salaried $155,986.02 - $223,254.47
219 Attorney III PDO 2202 3.0 Salaried $161,370.09 -
$196,156.29
406 Community Services
Coordinator PDO 2202 1.0 Salaried $65,520.00 -
$88,704.30
1323 Legal Processing Assistant
III PDO 2202 1.0 Hourly $23.553083 -
$32.955312
529 Management Assistant III-
Legal PDO 2202 1.0 Hourly $29.980230 -
$41.972320
Upon motion of Supervisor , seconded by Supervisor , the foregoing resolution was adopted this 12th day of August 2025.
By: _______________________
Chair, Board of Supervisors
County of Ventura
ATTEST: DR. SEVET JOHNSON
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors,
County of Ventura, State of California
By:
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Scope of Work
for Immigrant
Defense Unit
(IDU)
IMMIGRANT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
SCOPE OF WORK: Attorneys will represent Ventura County Public Defender’s Office clients and will:
• Provide representation in removal (deportation) proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (“Immigration Court.”) Hearings include, but are not limited to, Bond, Master, and Individual hearings for clients, both detained and non-detained. Defenses raised include Motions to Terminate, Prosecutorial Discretion requests, Cancellation of Removal, Withholding of Removal, asylum and Convention Against Torture and assisting clients in obtaining affirmative immigration relief; • Litigate appellate issues before the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) and 9
th Circuit Court of Appeals as needed;
• File habeas and other litigation as needed in the Central District of California and other federal courts;
• Assist clients in exclusion proceedings with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and/or Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”); • Litigate Motions to Reopen for Post Conviction Relief (PCR)/vacaturs clients with existing removal orders;
• Evaluate cases and defendants for proper post-conviction relief litigation; • Prepare and file vacatur motions under Penal Code §1473.7, §1016.5, and §1018, as well as non-statutory remedies (such as Fosselman motions and Penal Code §1385 invitations) and extraordinary writs including habeas corpus;
• Assist in the mitigation of criminal consequences by preparing and litigating Motions for Early Termination of Probation and Motions to Reduce Felony to Misdemeanor charges;
• Research, prepare, and engage in litigation for unlawful constitutional violations;
• Provide exceptional, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services to clients and their families at all times taking care to ensure open and consistent communication;
• Prepare applications for naturalization, adjustment of status, family-based immigration, and waivers with United States Customs and Immigration Services (“USCIS”);
• Assist juveniles with obtaining predicate orders from delinquency, family law and probate courts and prepare and submit applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status with USCIS;
• Prepare applications for U, T, and VAWA petitions and obtain necessary certifications;
• Research and file affirmative asylum applications for clients with bona fide claims;
• Mitigate the effects of Ventura County criminal convictions on the ability to obtain visas and residency abroad;
• Prepare clients for Credible/Reasonable Fear Interviews; • Attend interviews and hearings with clients to ensure clients are holistically represented;
• Travel when necessary to attend hearings and meet with detained clients; • Collaborate with other attorneys and organizations on a coordinated strategy of defense;
• Work closely with our office’s Fresh Start and paralegal units to coordinate office wide post-conviction activities;
• Engage with local immigration stakeholders including rapid response networks, attorney networks, and elected officials/government agencies; and
• Participate, organize, and coordinate Know Your Rights and other community informational events.
COMMUNITY SERVICES COORDINATOR
SCOPE OF WORK: Position is responsible for assisting Ventura County Public Defender’s Office clients, staff, attorneys and will:
• Participate, organize, and coordinate Public Defender’s Office Immigrant Defense Unit services;
• Acting community liaison with all stakeholders at public events; • Conduct intakes of potential clients and refer them to the proper attorney; • Prepare declarations from clients and other witnesses in anticipation of litigation;
• Develop and maintain a current list of social services and governmental benefits available to non-citizen clients and working with attorneys in the Mental Health Unit, as well as Sentencing Specialists, to connect clients with services including housing, drug/mental health treatment, health care, identification, child and family benefits, etc;
• Work with interpreters and community liaisons from indigenous communities; • Provide exceptional, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services to clients and their families at all times taking care to ensure open and consistent lines of communication, and engagement;
• Engage with local immigration stakeholders including rapid response networks, attorney networks, and elected officials/government agencies; and • Participate, organize, and coordinate Know Your Rights and other community informational events with attorneys and stakeholders.
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT III – LEGAL
SCOPE OF WORK: Position is responsible for assisting Ventura County Public Defender’s Office clients, staff, attorneys and will:
• Work with Immigrant Defense Unit attorneys to prepare and draft motions, applications, briefs and other legal documents;
• Work with the Immigrant Defense Unit attorneys to obtain client immigration files through FOIA and ROP requests;
• Order and retrieve client files from the Ventura County Superior Court; • Prepare and draft declarations from clients and other witnesses in anticipation of litigation;
• Maintain a master database of all Immigration Defense Unit clients with case information including filing deadlines, hearing dates, and client contact information;
• Assist with legal research including case law, country conditions, reports and other materials;
• Work with interpreters and community liaisons from indigenous communities; • Provide exceptional, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services to clients and their families at all times taking care to ensure open and consistent lines of communication;
• Engage with local immigration stakeholders including rapid response networks, attorney networks, and elected officials/government agencies.
LEGAL PROCESSING ASSISTANT
SCOPE OF WORK: Position is responsible for assisting Ventura County Public Defender’s Office clients, staff, attorneys and will:
• Work with Immigrant Defense Unit Attorneys to prepare and file motions and other litigation materials;
• Assist with immigration intakes;
• Retrieve documents from the Ventura County Superior Court; • Mail disposition documents and other materials to clients; • Assist with the preparation of declarations from clients and other witnesses in anticipation of litigation;
• Work with interpreters and community liaisons from indigenous communities; • Provide exceptional, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services to clients and their families at all times taking care to ensure open and consistent lines of communication;
• Engage with local immigration stakeholders including rapid response networks, attorney networks, and elected official/government agencies; and • Assist with the coordination of Know Your Rights and other community informational events with attorneys and stakeholders.