Tag: Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Fund

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association opposes County of Ventura Item 43 (Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Fund)

On Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, Supervisor Vianey Lopez will ask the Board of Supervisors to establish various programs to assist immigration-related proceedings at a cost of $6.3 million of taxpayer funds. The Supervisor is asking taxpayers to pay for an Immigration Legal Defense Fund for a team of lawyers in the Public Defender’s Immigrant Defense Unit and provide financial support for a “Migrant Education Program”.

The Ventura County Taxpayers Association opposes the proposed measures as misguided, fiscally irresponsible, and potentially exposing the County to significant legal and financial risks.