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Managing director: $450,000 added for immigrant legal services; placement under Defender's Association under discussion
Summary
The administration said FY26 includes a $450,000 increase for immigration-related legal services; officials said where that funding will be housed is under negotiation and may be placed with the Defender Association pending a new OIA director's arrival.
Council members asked the managing director's office about proposed FY26 funding for immigrant legal services and whether the administration would increase the allocation or place it under the Defender Association, which some advocates prefer.
Deputy Managing Director Adam Teal said the budget includes a $450,000 increase for legal services to assist with temporary protected status, asylum and workplace rights work. He told council the appropriation is still under negotiation and that placement of the allocation — for example with Community Legal Services (CLS) or with the Defender Association — could be decided when the new Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) director is in place.
Teal said the OIA director search had produced many candidates and that interviews were underway. He said the new directors "first order of business" would be to decide where to connect the funds so the work continues.
Council members pressed whether the city would consider boosting the $450,000 sum to $1.3 million as some advocates requested. Teal said the administration proposes to continue the suite of services the city has historically funded while the new OIA director reviews implementation options.
Why it matters: Funding and program administration affect legal representation and services available to immigrant Philadelphians, and council members stressed timeliness given recent federal developments.
What’s next: The administration said it would provide additional details about how the funds will be allocated and whether the Defender Association will administer the funds once the new OIA director is hired.
