September 6, 2022
Mayor Robert Garcia and the Long Beach City Council
411 W. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
RE: Long Beach Justice Fund
Dear Mayor Garcia and Members of the Long Beach City Council,
As the State Senator representing California's 33rd District, I am writing to request your support for an allocation of $1 million in the City’s FY23 budget, to fund the Long Beach Justice Fund and expand its services to cover Ninth Circuit appeals and affirmative applications for relief.
Lack of access to legal counsel remains the biggest barrier to our constituents obtaining status or defending against deportation. Immigration is a community issue. Therefore, I was thrilled when we as a City achieved the establishment of the Justice Fund and I am proud to have played a role in its passage. Unfortunately, I frequently hear from constituents that are seeking legal assistance that they have been turned away from the Justice Fund because they require help with Ninth Circuit appeals, U Visas, and other services the Justice Fund does not currently provide.
The City of Long Beach is consistently a bold leader in serving our vibrant immigrant communities, which make the City the dynamic place we all choose to serve and call home. We should remain at the forefront of protecting and supporting our immigrant constituents and expand the Justice Fund to meet the demand for these critical services. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to invest at the minimum—$1 million into this critical resource for a stronger and more resilient Long Beach. Should you have any questions regard ing my support on this matter please do not hesitate to contact my office at (562) 256-7921.
Sincerely,
Lena Gonzalez
Senator, Senate District 33