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After packed public comment, Humboldt supervisors form working group to explore a county 'universal representation' legal fund
Summary
Community members and Centro Del Pueblo asked supervisors April 14 to create a county 'universal representation' fund to expand local immigration‑related legal services. The board directed staff to convene a working group (supervisors, nonprofit and county officials, public defender and sheriff) to study options and return with recommendations.
A broad coalition of McKinleyville residents, Centro Del Pueblo staff and other community volunteers urged the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on April 14 to establish a "universal representation" legal fund to expand immigration‑related legal services in the county.
Lisa Dugan and other residents said several California counties already operate similar funds or partner with nonprofits to provide rapid response legal support. Centro Del Pueblo staff described a one‑year legal resource pilot supported by UC Davis labor‑law attorneys and said local capacity remains thin: Centro’s small staff has been fielding steady calls from residents seeking legal counsel or assistance and the organization needs sustainable funding to expand services.
Speakers stressed that legal representation in immigration matters is not only for undocumented residents but can assist lawful permanent residents, asylum seekers and mixed‑status families with applications, hearings and pathways to legal status. Community members urged the county to consider donated seed funding or partnerships with local philanthropic institutions (several commenters suggested the Humboldt Area Foundation) rather than creating a new county bureaucracy.
Board members asked for more detail on administration, Brown Act and oversight implications, contracting options, and whether the county should seed a fund or instead contract with or grant to an existing nonprofit. The Public Defender noted his office represents defendants in criminal cases that can have immigration consequences but that many immigration matters are civil and typically fall to immigration attorneys; he said outside immigration counsel is sometimes needed for complex collateral matters.
Supervisor Bushnell moved and the board approved formation of a working group to study options, including representatives from supervisors, Centro Del Pueblo (or other local nonprofit), the Public Defender, Sheriff’s Office, human‑services and the Humboldt Area Foundation; the board asked staff to return with a proposal and costs. Vote: 4–0 (Chair Wilson absent).
What’s next: The working group will explore whether to house a fund with a county fiscal agent, partner nonprofit, or to use donated seed funding; it will evaluate administrative requirements, contracting and grant pathways and return recommendations to the board for action.
