San Jose officials have squeezed funding out of the 2025-26 budget to support education and legal services in defense of the city’s immigrant community.
The San Jose City Council on June 10 unanimously approved $1 million going to immigrant defense organizations like Amigos de Guadalupe and the Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) — out of its $5.5 billion budget. The nonprofits oversee the Rapid Response Network, a coalition of community-run organizations that protect immigrants and their families from deportation raids in Santa Clara County. Councilmembers Pamela Campos, Domingo Candelas, David Cohen and Peter Ortiz called for the city to increase its contribution of $50,000 from the previous year.
SIREN Executive Director Huy Tran said a memo from the city’s Office of Racial and Social Equity showed the nonprofit could receive up to $250,000 for legal services.
“We are expanding our team to meet the need. We have one lawyer in the works and are planning to hire a second,” he told San José Spotlight. “This is huge and affords us the opportunity to do more.”
In addition to the city’s $1 million in funding, another $500,000 could be allocated during the mid-year budget review set for early 2026. Mayor Matt Mahan said the additional funds could only be allocated if there’s enough money in the budget.
“We hope with the expanded funding from the city of San Jose can be allocated more to meet the great need right now,” Tran said.
Hundreds of residents rallied at City Hall on June 9 against the increase in immigration enforcement statewide. Immigration defense funding was one of the most discussed budget topics after the mayor’s responsibility to shelter policy.
Ortiz rallied alongside Campos ahead of the final budget discussion to demand additional dollars. He told San José Spotlight these funds are the largest investment to date the city has made toward protecting immigrants.
“As the federal government ramps up its attacks on immigrant families, San Jose is stepping up to say loud and clear: We will protect our community, not criminalize it,” he said. “This historic investment will ensure that immigrant families have the tools, support and legal resources they need to remain safe, united and empowered.”
Amigos de Guadalupe Executive Director Maritza Maldonado said she convinced Mahan to commit funds after a May 19 Spanish-language town hall covering concerns about deportations.
“We met with each councilmember, and then (dug) deep on the budgets and (looked) where there might be some money,” she told San José Spotlight.
Santa Clara County funds a majority of the Rapid Response Network’s $580,000 annual budget, and is dedicating another $5 million across similar organizations countywide.
County health officials estimate the population of undocumented immigrants to be about 134,000, with 44% being Mexican-born residents.
Funding is set to benefit not just immigrant defense and education services, but emergency housing and financial relief as well for families impacted by the deportation of a household wage earner.
“Our immigrant neighbors are the backbone of this city,” Ortiz told San José Spotlight. “This funding is about keeping families together, safeguarding due process and building long-term security for our undocumented residents. Thanks to this investment, San Jose will be better equipped to defend its values and its people.”
Contact Vicente Vera at [email protected] or follow @VicenteJVera on X.
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