Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigrant Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council sets aside up to $250,000 from Represent L.A. allocation for deported veterans after amendment
Summary
Councilmembers amended funding language for Represent L.A. to allow up to $250,000 to assist veterans denied immigration status, approving the change by unanimous recorded vote (14 AYES). The change also instructs CAO/CLA follow-up reporting; members debated whether a larger allocation should be considered.
The City Council approved an amendment to an item related to Represent L.A. funding that sets aside up to $250,000 to support veterans who have been denied immigration status or face deportation.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez called Item 43 special to press for an increase in support for Represent L.A., saying the organization helps families affected by immigration enforcement. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez (transcript: M. Rodriguez) proposed a motion designating $250,000 of the allocation to assist veterans who have been deported or denied status. Rodriguez said the request grew from prior allocations and ongoing need: "We’re continuing to see veterans getting deported," she told colleagues as she urged city action.
Budget staff and the CLA confirmed the amendment could be adopted with no immediate fiscal impact to the city’s general fund as written; the council voted to approve the amended language with a recorded clerks’ tally of 14 ayes.
Councilmembers discussed whether the full amount should be set now or whether the CAO should bring the proposal to committee for recommendation on an exact figure, and some suggested a report-back to examine caseloads and needs before allocating the full amount. The final motion approved an 'up to $250,000' designation and instructed staff to implement the direction and report per council rules.
