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County officials outline legal and operational response to federal immigration actions; staff report multiple lawsuits and expanded rapid‑response work
Summary
County equity and legal staff told supervisors the county is pursuing litigation (11 active suits) and expanding immigrant‑protection efforts, including contracts with community partners, rapid‑response hotlines and regional coordination for a proposed detention center in Gilroy.
County equity and legal officials updated the Board of Supervisors committee on the county’s legal and operational response to recent federal immigration actions, describing litigation strategies and expanded support for immigrant communities.
Nalilia Garcia, director of the Division of Equity and Social Justice, introduced the item and said the county has pursued planning since late 2024. Deputy county counsel Hannah Godby summarized the county’s legal work, saying lawsuits fall into two buckets: litigation to protect residents (examples given: birthright citizenship, sanctuary policy defense, census-related litigation and a new Clean Air Act action) and suits to protect county operations (defending federal funding, workforce protections and public‑service programs). Godby said a lawsuit related to a proposed detention center near Gilroy had been filed that day. She added that the county now has 11 active lawsuits against the federal administration.
Office of Immigrant Relations managers described operational activity: Kimberly Alvarenga said the office partners with 24 community‑based organizations through 25 contracts totaling just over $6.6 million, and that from July 2025 through March 2026 community partners delivered legal help, hotline responses and preparedness packets to thousands of residents. Staff described regional coordination with Bay Area counties and a Concord safe‑center model to assist families when regional immigration court activity occurs.
Supervisors raised questions about contract flexibility and ramping up removal‑defense legal capacity. Erica Rivera, working with the Office of Immigrant Relations on contract renewals, said the county is negotiating contract language that allows partners to change deliverables so they can pivot between affirmative legal services and removal defense. The board discussed volunteer pro‑bono strategies and regional coordination for a new immigration court in Concord.
Why it matters: the county’s litigation and operations aim to protect immigrant residents’ access to services and to preserve county funding streams and workforce. Supervisors said cross‑jurisdictional coordination is essential as new court or detention‑center developments create regional demand for services.
Board action: committee received the presentation and voted to receive the report; supervisors asked staff to continue negotiating flexible contracts and to coordinate regionally for family navigation and safe‑center supports.
Quotes: "We now have 11 active lawsuits against the Trump administration," Deputy County Counsel Hannah Godby said. Kimberly Alvarenga said OIR partners "represent a total investment of just over $6,600,000."
