Mayor Breed reassures immigrant communities, outlines city funding and legal supports ahead of presidential transition

Mayor London Breed appeared at the Board of Supervisors’ Nov. 19 meeting for a special policy discussion and used her time to address immigrant community concerns in the wake of the presidential election.

Breed said San Francisco is a sanctuary city and pledged the city will continue standing with immigrants. She noted past and current city investments in immigrant legal defense and services and described ongoing work with city agencies, including the city attorney’s office, to prepare responses to potential federal policy changes.

Breed cited specific funding increases: immigrant legal defense funding increased roughly 40% to nearly $7,000,000, enabling acquisition and rehabilitation of a building on Market Street for client services; the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs’ budget rose from about $2.8 million to $4.1 million; and funding for the public defender’s immigrant defense unit increased to $2.4 million. She said these investments included support for unaccompanied minors and other direct services and urged continued partnership between the mayor’s office and the board to protect immigrant residents.

“To San Franciscans who are living in fear, we will always stand with you and do everything we can to support you,” Breed said, and asked city leaders to chart a path forward in the coming weeks. She also framed the city’s immigrant history as central to San Francisco’s identity.

Breed said city agencies and the city attorney’s office are discussing ways to protect residents from potential federal actions and that leaders in the chamber and an incoming administration should “push forward and not backward.” No formal ordinance or funding action was proposed on the floor as part of her remarks; Breed described ongoing investments and interagency work already underway.