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Immigration Legal Defense Services <br />August 19, 2025 <br />Page 2 <br />5 <br />2 <br />5 <br />8 <br />Under this proposed agreement, ImmDef agrees to initiate representation with a <br />minimum of 12 new clients during the initial year, while maintaining any Santa Ana <br />active case where representation was initiated prior to this new agreement. ImmDef <br />agrees to take on 12 new cases each year that the contract is extended, with a <br />maximum cap of 70 active cases, for a maximum of two (2) full-time attorney caseloads <br />(max caseload of 35 cases per attorney). To reduce the possibility of legal services <br />being halted due to the 70 case cap, ImmDef will provide an explanation for any case <br />that has no activity reported for two consecutive quarters. <br />ImmDef is uniquely qualified to meet all service areas outlined in the RFP for the City of <br />Santa Ana, including removal defense, affirmative applications, and appellate <br />representation. As the largest deportation defense nonprofit in Southern California, <br />ImmDef has provided full-scope removal defense since 2015, with representation before <br />immigration courts, USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, the Board of <br />Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, ImmDef has <br />offices in Santa Ana that provide ease of access to Santa Ana clients. <br />ImmDef attorneys regularly represent clients in both detained and non-detained <br />proceedings, with legal expertise spanning asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, <br />212(c), 42A/B cancellation, SIJS, VAWA, T and U visas, and motions to reopen. <br />ImmDef brings deep experience in post-conviction relief referrals and appellate <br />litigation, ensuring continuity of representation across complex, multi-forum cases, <br />operating under a universal representation model and uses a structured intake process <br />that prioritizes income, residency, and lack of counsel to ensure equitable access to <br />services. Their infrastructure supports consistent, high-quality legal services through <br />strong supervision, weekly case reviews, and systems that manage caseloads, track <br />referrals, maintain confidentiality, and ensure reliable communication. <br />Awarding this agreement maintains our long-standing relationship with ImmDef and <br />ensures uninterrupted, high-quality immigration legal defense services for Santa Ana <br />residents facing deportation. This agreement provides stability, maximizes service <br />continuity, and reaffirms the City’s commitment to protecting the rights and due process <br />of its immigrant community. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />There is no environmental impact associated with the action. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />Funding is available in the current FY 2025-26 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal <br />years will be included in the proposed budget for City Council consideration. <br />Fiscal Year Accounting <br />Unit <br />Fund <br />Name <br />Accounting Unit <br />Description <br />Amount <br />Contract ( 1-Year Term) <br />FY 2025-2026 01105015- <br />62300 <br />General <br />Fund <br />Contract Services - <br />Professional <br />$250,000