**RICHMOND — Supporting Immigrants with a $1 Million Commitment**
Months after pledging to spend $1 million to support immigrants targeted by the Trump administration, Richmond is now allocating those funds to three established organizations with decades of experience serving communities in need. The selected nonprofits are the Multicultural Institute, Catholic Charities East Bay, and East Bay Sanctuary Covenant. The funds will be divided among them to support legal aid, community education, and outreach programs.
**Funding Breakdown and Services Provided**
– **East Bay Sanctuary Covenant**, founded in 1982, received approximately $323,000. Over the next two years, this funding will assist individuals seeking affirmative legal aid such as visas, green cards, citizenship, and removal defense.
– **Catholic Charities East Bay**, an organization with roots dating back to 1934, was awarded more than $394,000. This funding will cover a year of affirmative legal aid and public awareness campaigns.
– **Multicultural Institute**, established in 1991, will utilize its $130,000 grant over the next year to provide “know-your-rights” events, public awareness campaigns, drop-in immigration clinics, and community watch efforts.
Additionally, following an October 21 City Council vote expanding the program’s scope, the funds may also be used to offer financial assistance for rent, utilities, and groceries to families struggling after a breadwinner is detained or deported. Catholic Charities East Bay has extensive experience providing this type of support.
**City Council’s Commitment**
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, co-sponsor of the $1 million measure alongside Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Doria Robinson, emphasized the importance of the funding. She expressed pride that the funds are now being distributed to protect one of Richmond’s most vulnerable communities, one she personally identifies with as an immigrant.
“Investing in these kinds of things sends a message to the community that the city supports those who need it most in these hard times,” Jimenez said. “It’s important to reassure the community, especially immigrants, that the city is here to protect them and do whatever we can to make them feel safe.”
**Richmond’s Immigrant Population and Regional Context**
Richmond has approximately 115,300 residents, with about 34.5% being foreign-born, according to U.S. Census data. Comparable or higher immigrant percentages are seen in other Bay Area counties, including 35.7% in Alameda County, 42.7% in Santa Clara County, and 36% in San Mateo County, as reported in the 2023 American Community Survey.
Across the Bay Area, millions of dollars have been directed to support immigrant communities:
– $8 million from Santa Clara County
– $3.6 million from Alameda County
– More than $1.7 million from San Mateo County
– $1 million from San Jose (with an additional $500,000 possibly forthcoming)
– $500,000 from Contra Costa County
– $200,000 from Berkeley
**Voices from the Nonprofits**
Mirna Cervantes, Executive Director of the Multicultural Institute, and Lisa Hoffman, Co-Executive Director of East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, stressed the critical need for these funds.
“It’s essential to make funding available for these services because our immigrant neighbors need resources, access to services, and advocacy now more than ever,” Cervantes stated.
Hoffman highlighted that organizations like theirs have been “stretched beyond capacity” due to skyrocketing demand since the Trump administration began aggressively pursuing mass deportations of undocumented residents.
**The Climate of Fear in Immigrant Communities**
Immigrants throughout the Bay Area have been detained at immigration courts, routine check-ins, in their homes, or other community locations. Threats from President Donald Trump to deploy 100 federal agents to the region to conduct deportation operations in October only intensified fear and confusion.
“There is a level of fear and grief in immigrant communities I haven’t felt before to this degree,” Hoffman said. “This funding is important not just to provide desperately needed legal services but also to show our immigrant community members, colleagues, classmates, and neighbors that we are all standing together at this time.”
**Community Advocates Call for Swift Action**
Andrew Melendez, organizer with Reimagine Richmond—an organization focused on public safety reform—has advocated for the city to release the promised funds quickly since March. While applauding ongoing support provided at the City Council’s October 21 meeting, he noted that more resources are needed to meet high and diverse demands.
Though Reimagine Richmond is not a direct recipient of the city’s relief funds, Jimenez recognized the group’s vital role in community education and safety through hosting “know-your-rights” events and running a rapid response hotline to verify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings.
“It’s been amazing to see the community step up through fundraisers and GoFundMe campaigns,” Melendez said. “But with the city’s help, we can do much more to provide crucial support to those in need. As ICE activity escalates, cities like Richmond are truly at the forefront of protecting immigrant communities.”
**Looking Ahead**
Councilmember Jimenez acknowledged that, while welcome, the current $1 million allocation is insufficient.
“A million dollars is not what’s needed,” she said. “But at least we’re starting.”
She also mentioned concerns from Latino business owners about customers avoiding shops, possibly due to ICE-related fears, underscoring the need for creative and expanded support strategies in the future.
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Richmond’s commitment to funding immigrant support organizations represents a vital step in safeguarding a significant portion of its population through legal aid, public outreach, and emergency assistance as the community navigates ongoing challenges.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/09/immigrant-relief-funding-richmond-bay-area/
