Montebello council approves $100,000 humanitarian fund for residents affected by ICE operations
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Summary
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-59 to appropriate $100,000 for emergency humanitarian services to Montebello residents and families impacted by recent immigration enforcement operations; the program will be administered by city staff and limited to Montebello residents.
The Montebello City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 25-59, approving a $100,000 city-funded humanitarian services program to assist Montebello residents negatively affected by recent immigration enforcement operations.
City Manager Raul Alvarez presented the proposal in open session, describing repeated and targeted enforcement operations by ICE in Montebello neighborhoods that city officials said have “destabilized families, neighborhoods and our local economy.” He told the council the program would be available only to Montebello residents, administered by the city’s case managers and staff, and intended to meet immediate needs such as groceries, utility payments and housing assistance. The manager said the staff-run program would verify need through casework, protect applicant confidentiality and follow applicable privacy laws including HIPAA.
The staff recommendation requested appropriation of $100,000 to be used for direct assistance — the presentation listed groceries, utilities and housing costs as examples — and stressed that information submitted for the program would be kept confidential and not shared with outside agencies. City staff said they would implement verification procedures and that the program could partner with community nonprofits for legal education, mental health services and case management.
The item drew public comment before the council vote. Two speakers asked how the funds would be distributed and questioned use of city money while the city faces budget shortfalls. Other public commenters urged a broader response including "know your rights" workshops, mental health supports and community safety planning. Councilmembers who spoke in discussion described the past days as especially difficult for the community, praised city staff and police for on-the-ground work at hotels and protests, and emphasized the program was an immediate, limited tool to provide relief while the city pursues longer-term legal and advocacy measures.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve the resolution and funding with language to include partnerships for legal, educational and mental-health services and staff training; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously on roll call. Council members asked staff to coordinate with nonprofits and to deploy case managers and outreach to assist affected families. The city manager said the program will be confidential and run through existing city social services staff with the option to partner externally for workshops and legal clinics.
The resolution allocates $100,000 from city funds to the humanitarian program; at the meeting staff did not present a line-by-line distribution schedule, but described eligibility criteria (Montebello residency, demonstrable income loss or inability to work due to enforcement actions) and program uses. Staff said they would follow state and federal privacy rules in processing applications and that funds would be distributed on an as-needed basis to cover essential living expenses.
The council vote was recorded as unanimous.
