TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Councilmember Ortiz
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: June 6, 2025
Approved: Date: June 6, 2025
SUBJECT: JUNE BUDGET MESSAGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Mayor’s June Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and:
1. Allocate $1,000,000 from the Budget Stabilization Reserve for immigration services and emergency support for undocumented residents; OR
2. Should additional funding become available later in the fiscal year, direct the City Manager to bring forward recommendations for City Council consideration as part of the 2024-2025 Annual Report, the 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget, or other appropriate time, to increase by $1,000,000 for immigration services and emergency support for undocumented residents.
DISCUSSION
I want to express my appreciation to Mayor Mahan for including $500,000 in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget to support immigration services. This allocation reflects a meaningful recognition of the critical role undocumented residents play in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of San José. I commend the mayor for demonstrating leadership and a commitment on behalf of all residents of our city.
Recent developments, however, have highlighted the need for an expanded response. Over the past week, local community-based organizations and residents have reported an uptick in immigration enforcement activity, including detentions and increased federal presence. It has been confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has established a new office in South San José. Nationally, the federal administration is scaling up its enforcement infrastructure through new Department of Homeland Security initiatives, including the issuance of requests for proposals and new partnerships aimed at expanding operations.
These developments have created heightened fear and instability within our undocumented community. In light of this, I respectfully request that the City Council go beyond the initial allocation and either:
• allocate $1,000,000 from the Budget Stabilization Reserve for immigration services and emergency support for undocumented residents; OR
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/10/2025
FILE: 25-648
ITEM: 3.8
• should additional funding become available later in the fiscal year, direct the City Manager to bring forward recommendations for City Council consideration for the additional $1,000,000 as part of the 2024-2025 Annual Report, the 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget, or other appropriate time.
San José has consistently affirmed its values as an inclusive and welcoming city. To uphold those values, we must match our principles with action and resources. This enhanced funding commitment would demonstrate our unwavering support for residents who are disproportionately vulnerable to federal enforcement actions.
I respectfully urge my colleagues to support this proposal and reaffirm San José’s leadership in protecting and uplifting our immigrant communities.