During a recent Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting, community advocates voiced urgent calls for increased funding and support for immigrant legal services and affordable housing, highlighting significant disparities in the county's budget allocations.

Sandra, coordinator of the OC Wrapper Response Network, urged the board to renew and make permanent the contracts for Padilla attorneys—immigration specialists within the public defender's office—stressing their critical role in protecting immigrant families from deportation. She noted that immigrants make up approximately one-third of Orange County's population, underscoring the need for legal representation that reflects this demographic reality.

Pat Davis, a resident of Anaheim, criticized the current budget priorities, which allocate significantly more funds to law enforcement compared to community and social services. He called for a reallocation of resources to address mental health, housing, and economic justice issues, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate approach to budgeting.

Roberto Herrera from Resilience Orange County echoed these sentiments, stating that housing insecurity is a pressing issue for many Latino voters in Costa Mesa. He urged the board to invest in affordable housing solutions beyond temporary shelters.

Several speakers, including Van Bui and Mary Nguyen, highlighted the need for greater transparency and accessibility in the budget process, particularly for marginalized communities. They called for workshops that accommodate non-English speakers and working individuals, ensuring that all residents can participate in discussions about how their tax dollars are spent.

Felicity Figueroa expressed discontent with the board's budget priorities, arguing that the current allocation reflects a moral failure to address the needs of the community, particularly in light of rising homelessness and inadequate support for essential services.

Andres Marin, an attorney with the Public Law Center, reinforced the necessity of funding for Padilla attorneys, emphasizing their role in providing crucial legal assistance to non-citizens facing deportation. He pointed out that without adequate legal representation, many immigrants are at risk of severe consequences, including family separation and potential harm upon deportation.

The meeting underscored a growing demand for a budget that prioritizes community needs over punitive measures, with advocates calling for a shift towards a more equitable and inclusive approach to governance in Orange County.