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Residents and VC Defensa urge Thousand Oaks to expand support for immigrant legal aid
Summary
Speakers from VC Defensa thanked the council for a $100,000 donation to a county immigrant legal fund and urged the city to create additional emergency aid, publicize a hotline, and partner with neighborhoods and schools to protect undocumented residents.
Thousand Oaks — Two speakers representing VC Defensa told the City Council on Sept. 23 that the city’s $100,000 pledge to the Ventura County Community Foundation Neighbor Support Fund is appreciated but insufficient, and they urged local action to expand emergency supports for immigrants.
Joseph Alfano, a Newbury Park resident and VC Defensa member, thanked the council for the donation and described recent local enforcement incidents. Alfano criticized county law-enforcement leadership by name and urged the city to “work with our neighborhoods, schools, and businesses to ensure community safety.” He also offered VC Defensa’s hotline as a community resource: “If you are undocumented or you would like to have some assistance … please call (805) 296-1119,” Alfano said.
Melissa Soriano, a volunteer with VC Defensa Lab, reiterated the request for more local aid and urged the council to create emergency funds to support local organizations that provide rapid response, food assistance and immigrant resources. “We believe that everyone should feel safe in this community and that everyone should get treated with dignity and respect,” Soriano said, and she promoted the same hotline number for residents in need.
Assistant City Manager Ingrid Hardy responded on behalf of city staff, confirming the council’s $100,000 contribution to the Ventura County Community Foundation Neighbor Support Fund and saying that the city’s donation has prompted additional private contributions. Hardy also noted that the city is grateful to community organizations for immediate aid and said staff will continue to coordinate with local groups.
No formal action was taken by the council; the comments were part of the public-comment period and will be part of the public record.
