The City of Santa Barbara announced on October 9, 2025, that it will distribute $333,000 in grants through its Immigrant Relief Fund, in partnership with the Fund for Santa Barbara.
The City Council allocated the funding in response to “increased federal immigration enforcement” in the area, the City said in a statement.
The City, in partnership with Fund for Santa Barbara, awarded $333K through the Immigrant Relief Fund to 805 UndocuFund, IMPORTA, Legal Aid Foundation, Future Leaders of America, Immigrant Hope & MICOP and $130K to the Immigrant Legal Defense Center.
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— City of Santa Barbara (@SBCity) October 9, 2025
Grant Recipients and Awards
Six applicants were recommended based on their impact, community trust, and ability to deliver responsive services.
- 805 UndocuFund – $100,000. For emergency financial aid to undocumented families on a waitlist for support.
- IMPORTA Santa Bárbara – $100,000. To cover the fees for immigration applications and medical exams for low-income undocumented individuals and mixed-status families.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County – $58,000. To support immigration legal services for survivors of partner violence and other vulnerable residents.
- Future Leaders of America – $25,000. For emergency preparedness, legal referrals, and community outreach to immigrant families.
- Immigrant Hope Santa Barbara – $25,000. To subsidize legal service fees and provide transportation and training for immigration support.
- Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project – $25,000. To expand legal aid for Indigenous migrant communities through its MILA program.
These awards are in addition to a $130,000 grant announced for the Immigrant Legal Defense Center. This will fund a full-time staff attorney who will help reduce the waitlist for persons and families in Santa Barbara.
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— City of Santa Barbara (@SBCity) October 9, 2025
Stand for Immigration Support Services
The total amount requested by applicants was $645,000. This underscores the “significant and ongoing need” for immigrant support services in the region, according to the City.
Santa Barbara has been taking a stand against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Donald Trump’s administration. In January 2025, Santa Barbara City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said the “local government does not participate in immigration enforcement.”
California’s SB 54 (the California Values Act) prohibits local law enforcement agencies from participating in immigration enforcement except in some cases, McAdoo said.
“All City departments have been directed to provide services to all of our residents, without requiring proof of immigration status, except in legally required circumstances (like obtaining employment with the City),” McAdoo added.
The Trump administration has been increasing efforts to crack down on protests against ICE. In response, the administration has been pushing to send National Guard troops into these cities. However, federal courts have been attempting to limit such actions.
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This is definitely not what an increase in sales tax should go towards.
I hope everybody voted for sales tax increased is happy.
Word salad at the end there.
But, since sales taxes are regressive, burdening the poor more than the affluent, it seems an appropriate use.
Here we go again. Unfortunately it goes with the territory around liberal SB. I’m often very relieved I don’t live within the City, but feel for my fellow citizens who do and have their taxpayer dollars being misused regularly.
Hell, we’re all subject to the orange moron’s misuse of our taxes. You just don’t seem to care.