LA City Councilmember Curren Price was joined today by The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) to announce a $1.25 Million Immigration Relief Fund benefiting District 9 neighbors.
Councilman Price has a long history of supporting immigration programs for mixed-status families. In 2017, he pledged $1 million in grants for immigrants’ legal services, including help for District 9 residents to gain citizenship. The latest round of grants will allow the three immigrant advocacy groups to provide legal services, universal representation, as well as outreach and education.
“With these new funds, these immigrant rights giants will expand upon the work that they’ve been carrying out for years in South LA,” said Councilmember Price, whose District includes a high proportion of foreign-born residents. “We must protect our immigrants and acknowledge that they make up the rich tapestry of our City and our nation.
“Today, we have a new federal administration but the fight for immigrant rights continues. With a federal government that continues to fall short, families in District 9 do not have the luxury of waiting for them to take action.”
The comprehensive immigration relief fund includes $500,000 for CHIRLA; $500,00 for CARECEN; and $250,000 for BAJI.
"Our communities are stronger, and families stay together, when they access these services," said Angelica Salas, Executive Director at CHIRLA. "That is why we work with city officials to ensure there are funds available to make these services accessible to all. Councilman Curren Price listens and delivers. Even as we wait for the rest of the City Council to decide how to disburse the Los Angeles Justice Fund, Councilmember Price has moved ahead and established a justice fund for the people in his District."
The latest funds will also include filing fee assistance to help pay for naturalization, lawful permanent resident, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications. The program will also include a “CD 9 Justice Fund” providing legal representation for undocumented Angelenos facing deportation.
"We thank Councilmember Price for his continued leadership and understanding of the ongoing struggle that our immigrant communities face. In 2017 during the fear and uncertainty that our communities faced with the emergence of the Trump Administration, Councilmember Price rose to the forefront and provided resources to further protect our immigrant community by funding legal services and filing fees for naturalization and TPS applicants,” said Martha Arevalo, Executive Director of CARECEN.
This initiative is part of an unprecedented $24 million Councilmember Price’s Office is spearheading to invest funds directly into the District 9 community.
“We are so grateful to Councilman Price for his continued commitment to supporting immigrants, including Black immigrants, in addressing our legal support and community outreach and education needs,” said Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director of BAJI. “The Councilman's launch of the District 9 Justice Fund and intentional inclusion of BAJI is historic for Black migrants, our families, and communities. Black migrants are a fast-growing population, visible in all areas of City life, but too often invisible in policy considerations and conversations about immigration happening in City Hall. Councilman Price asked us what Black migrant communities needed a Justice Fund to be, and he delivered!”
To contact the following orgs:
CHIRLA at (888) 624-4752 (888-6-CHIRLA)
CARECEN at (213) 814-5248
BAJI at (917) 627-0418