Residents urge Contra Costa to fund immigrant “WISH” hub as county staff says federal assistance remains available

Scores of Contra Costa residents and community groups used public comment time at the supervisors’ retreat to press the board to establish and fund a “Welcoming Immigrant Support Hub” (WISH Center) and to seek immediate assurance that county services will continue despite federal actions announced this week.

Lede: Community advocates, nonprofit leaders and residents said a county‑based, linguistically and culturally accessible place for legal and public‑service navigation is urgently needed amid national immigration enforcement announcements. "I urge you to fully fund the Wish Center so it could serve as a beacon," said Debbie Clifford, a Richmond resident who identified herself during public comment.

Nut graf: Commenters said a WISH Center would centralize immigration legal help, language‑appropriate resource navigation, and referrals to health and housing supports at a time when many residents report fear of seeking services. Many speakers also asked the county to make a public, on‑the‑record commitment to protect access to essential services, and to coordinate rapid‑response supports to neighborhoods where community members fear enforcement activity.

County response and funding context: County Health Director Anna Roth and Employment and Human Services Director Marla Stewart addressed the board on federal developments. Roth told the board that, as of the retreat, neither Medicaid nor core county health programs were being cut: “The Medicaid program is stable and safe,” she said. Stewart added: “We are open for business,” and said Head Start, CalFresh and Medi‑Cal enrollment were continuing. Both officials said county staff are monitoring rapidly changing federal guidance and coordinating with legal counsel and state partners.

What residents asked the board to do: Multiple commenters asked supervisors to a) publicly affirm that county services remain available, b) commit bridge funding or quick‑start support so community groups can scale “one‑stop” events for legal help, and c) place a WISH Center proposal on an upcoming agenda so the board can consider formal funding options. Commenters cited experience from other counties and urged the board to coordinate with Stand Together Contra Costa, United Latino Voices and other local partners that have run large legal‑help events in recent weeks.

Board consideration: Supervisors acknowledged the urgency and told the public they will work with community partners; several said that while stand‑up of a permanent county center takes planning and funds, the county can and should immediately collaborate with nonprofits to expand rapid‑response clinics and outreach. Chair Candace Anderson asked staff and community partners to return with a practical implementation plan and to bring it to the board for discussion at a future meeting.

Ending: County officials emphasized that they will post factual updates on the county website and continue coordinating with community organizations, while staff also noted the legal and fiscal complexity of creating a new county program and requested time to return with firm recommendations.