Fillmore council directs staff to organize hybrid immigration resources workshop; council sets speaker guidelines

The Fillmore City Council on Aug. 12 directed staff to organize a hybrid (in‑person and online) immigration resources workshop for residents, with a focus on legal resources, health‑care access and community service navigation. Council members emphasized that presenters should not provide advice about evading federal immigration enforcement and asked staff to prioritize accessibility and community trust.

Staff proposal and recommended presenters: Staff recommended a panel that would include a presentation from the city attorney on the limits of local authority, a representative from the police or sheriff’s office describing local public‑safety roles, an immigration attorney experienced in the region, a 2‑1‑1 or social‑services representative and community organizations that work with indigenous or Spanish‑speaking migrants (MiCOP and similar groups). Staff noted they had contacted potential presenters and budgeted about $820 to cover translation services for the event.

Public and council input: A public speaker representing Autism Society of Ventura County asked that the workshop include disability accommodations, plain‑language materials, and outreach to organizations serving people with disabilities. Several council members reiterated that the event should present resources (legal clinics, emergency assistance funds, transportation and healthcare access) and not provide instruction on how to evade federal law enforcement. One council member expressed concern about a specific nonprofit, 805 UndocuFund, citing social‑media content he found objectionable, and asked staff to clarify the fund’s role before including it on the program.

Format and timing: Staff recommended a structured meeting with brief presentations (approximately 15–20 minutes each) followed by a timed public Q&A period; council members suggested written question cards and online question submission to allow attendees and remote viewers to ask questions without exposing themselves. Council members asked staff to schedule the forum in late September, subject to speaker availability. Staff said they will publish translated materials and host the event both in person and on the city’s online channels.

Next steps: The council approved the hybrid workshop plan and asked staff to invite the recommended presenters while ensuring accessibility, plain‑language materials and an explicit prohibition on presenters advising attendees about how to avoid federal immigration enforcement. Staff will return with a finalized date, confirmed panelists and outreach plans.

Ending: No funding appropriation beyond $820 for translation was required at the time of direction; staff will coordinate with county and nonprofit partners and report back to council with confirmed logistics.