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Council asks staff to study green-card assistance options for local workers
Summary
Council directed staff to explore models for helping local workers navigate immigration pathways, including legal-counsel partnerships, education and possible fee-loan programs, and to return with options and cost estimates; council emphasized a facilitator role rather than the city providing full legal services.
City staff reviewed options for a Green Card Assistance Program and described models used elsewhere, ranging from referral and educational services to formal legal counseling delivered through a nonprofit partner and loan programs to cover USCIS filing fees. Staff noted typical attorney fees for immigration work can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more and that most successful programs partner with established nonprofit legal-services providers.
Public commenters and legal experts urged caution, noting employment-based green cards are often not viable for many service-sector workers, that the local market lacks nonprofit capacity and that filings can expose applicants to removal risk in the current federal enforcement climate. Councilmembers said the city should adopt a facilitation/clearing-house approach at first: create a trusted portal and referral network, host informational clinics and seek partnerships with regional nonprofits and law-school clinics. Council voted to direct staff to evaluate options and provide cost estimates for possible program structures.
