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 County 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 revise 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 Agenda Item No. 16 Page 8 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025
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 legal 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
Agenda Item No. 16 Page 9 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025
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. citizens1, 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 States2. 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 county. 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 Agenda Item No. 16
https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/report/economic
-impact-of-mass-deportation-in-california/
CC Agenda 09-02-2025
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 County4. 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 nationwide5. 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 women6.
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 representation7. 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-oncentral-coast/ 5 https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/report/economic-impact-of-mass-deportation-in-california/ 6 https://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-ofimmigrants/advancing-universal-representation-initiative/immigration-court-legal-representation-dashboard 8 Agenda Item No. 16
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 resources to community organizations, and promotes strategies like Know-Your-Rights education, community paralegals and legal navigators, and prose legal clinics to allow for self-representation10.
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 Agenda Item No. 16
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 postconviction 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 secretary12.
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 associations13.
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 merits14. 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- Agenda Item No. 16
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/migranteducation-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
Agenda Item No. 16 Page 14 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025
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:
Agenda Item No. 16 Page 15 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025
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 Agenda Item No. 16 Page 16 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025
September 2, 2025
Ventura County Community Foundation
4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite A
Camarillo, CA 93012
Re: Letter of Support for the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund (VCNSF) Dear Ventura County Community Foundation,
On behalf of the City of Port Hueneme, we express our strong support for the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund (VCNSF). Our community is experiencing economic and humanitarian challenges that strain access to food, transportation, housing, education, and reliable information. VCNSF provides a trusted, coordinated way to resource vetted nonprofits delivering immediate, essential support to affected residents throughout Ventura County.
This support reflects the City’s commitment to family stability, educational continuity, and access to essential services through trusted local partners.
VCNSF is a collaborative fund launched by VCCF in partnership with the County of Ventura, the Ventura County Office of Education, the Economic Development Collaborative, and a broad coalition of education, business, philanthropic, and financial institutions. It offers one coordinated way for residents and partners to help, with rapid support delivered through trusted community-based organizations.
We value that VCNSF coordinates assistance through trusted partners, reducing confusion and duplication while ensuring timely, culturally competent help. The fund is guided by a committee of community leaders, and 100 percent of contributions go directly to relief such as food, transportation, emergency shelter and rental assistance, and other urgent needs.
For these reasons, the City of Port Hueneme supports the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund. If you have any questions, please contact City Manager James Vega at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Martha McQueen-Legohn
Mayor
City of Port Hueneme
Attachment C
Agenda Item No. 16 Page 17 of 17 CC Agenda 09-02-2025