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Undocumented immigrants facing threats of deportation by the forthcoming Trump administration may soon have more legal help in Santa Clara County, according to county officials.

At the Dec. 6 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Board President Dave Cortese and Supervisor Cindy Chavez will promote a plan to expand legal services for undocumented residents needing representation for hearings or help preparing documents.

The plan would also ensure that immigrants in the county are informed about changes in federal immigration policies that may affect them, according to Chavez and Cortese.

“We will do everything we can to make sure our residents know

their rights and have access to legal services to protect them from unjust deportation,” Cortese said in a statement.

“The county has long strived to be a place where immigrants can live without fear of being uprooted from their homes. That doesn’t go away with a new administration in Washington,” Cortese said.

More than 37 percent of Santa Clara County residents were born outside of the U.S., according to U.S. Census data.

The plan would involve a partnership between nonprofits, the county’s Office of Immigrant Relations and San Jose’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, according to Chavez and Cortese.

The meeting will convene at 9 a.m. in the Board Chambers of the County Government Center, at 70 West Hedding St. in San Jose. The meeting’s agenda will be posted on the county website on Nov. 30.

“We must ensure that families are not broken apart without due process – and that means making sure that they have legal representation,” Chavez said in a statement.

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1 Comment

  1. A country without borders is not a country at all. Establish better borders and then work on deporting criminal aliens (after prison for serious offenses).

  2. When I travel outside the US it’s expected I have my visa and passport. Our southern border has become a revolving door. Now Mountain View wants to expand more service to those that entered illegally. Is Mountain View a sanctuary city?

  3. We spend a lot of money on people who are here because they breake the law. This is money that could be otherwise spend on assisting legal immigrants get a foothold in our country.
    When someone breaks into my house, I don’t feel the need to buy them lunch: “Well, you’re here now, might as well get some pizza for us. My treat”.

    With money so tight I would prefer we spend the scant few funds we have on helping the immigrants who are here legally and my need help getting started.

  4. We are a nation of immigrants and many of us can trace our lineage to several different countries. I recently discovered that one of my great, great grandfathers used his twin’s mandatory armed service record to obtain the necessary paperwork in Germany to be allowed to travel here. I would believe many people, with a little research, would also discover an ancestor or two whose citizenship was obtained with some alteration of fact. My point is that the issues of immigration and deportation are not always clear. Families and children will be affected. I am thankful that our Board of Supervisors will ensure that others in my community are treated as individuals who deserve to, at least, understand their rights in what will be a complicated process.

  5. Why do law abiding citizens have to pay for the legal services for undocumented residents? I’m immigrant too, but I entered this country legally and my employer payed for all the legal expenses. It wouldn’t even occur to me to enter another country without the proper documents. If Board of Supervisors feels differently they are welcome to spend their own money to support illegals. Do not use taxpayers money!

  6. I hope people remember this the next time they’re asked to approve a sales tax increase. The county will always find ways to spend our money and come back asking for more claiming infrastructure needs.

  7. Where do the Supervisors have the authority to spend tax dollars on illegal immigrants while there are so many legal immigrants that could use assistance. Shenanigans like this are why voters disrupted the status quo by electing Trump. Next election, these Supervisors will not be re-elected. Tax paying citizens are fed up with this type of allocation of tax dollars when so many legitimate needs exist through the county.

  9. I say deport them!
    If they want to be legal then be legal and pay taxes.
    This town just voted to take away rights of landlords who are here legally, pay their taxes and offer a service to this community. ARE YOU KIDDING !!!!
    Your a bunch of sick xxxxxxxxxxxx for doing what you did to landlords and have the audacity to question Residency in our city. What a bunch of liberal punks you all are!
    ANSWER THAT???

  11. It is pleasing to see the backlash against this waste of tax dollars.I agree with MVresident2003 that everyone concerned should take the time to remind the county supervisors that illegal = criminal (their crime is illegal entry or overstay.) It is an insult to all the hard working immigrants here in the valley who arrived legally and many waited years to do so.

  12. Trump will cleans this city from the fed to the state down.
    All of these people that stand for America will learn what America is about under the Trump administration.
    You want to be American, start with the people that came here legally and cut your crap about the illegal people. You house them, feed them, give them medical and give them jobs if you want them.
    But not mine or my medical or my housing. You can feed them on your dollar!!
    The day of illegal immigration is over and I back my newly appointed president to enforce deportation of these parasites that have stolen our jobs and oppertunities
    Not only that, I want these people to pay back what they have taken from our people.

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