— On a 3- to-2 vote, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors today approved a partnership with the Mexican Consulate to expand options for immigrant legal defense services and increase access to critical “Know Your Rights” information.

The agreement — which comes at no additional cost to County taxpayers — comes as federal immigration enforcement intensifies, drawing more San Diego families into detention and removal proceedings without legal representation. 

Individuals facing deportation may not be able to afford an attorney, leaving many without the support needed to navigate complex legal processes.

“Due process should not depend on whether someone can afford a lawyer,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Chair of the Board. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to ensuring families have both the information and legal support they need to defend their rights and stay together. It’s about making sure San Diego County residents are afforded a fair day in court.” 

The partnership leverages the Consulate’s trusted role in the community to deliver timely information, and builds on longstanding collaboration between the County and the Consulate to better serve communities and close gaps in access to services. The Mexican Consulate already provides key services including legal orientation, documentation support, and emergency assistance. 

“Families should not be torn apart because they lack access to basic legal support,” said Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, Chair Pro Tem of the Board. “By partnering with the Mexican Consulate, we’re meeting people where they are with trusted information, real legal help, and a pathway to stability during moments of crisis.”

Since its launch in 2022, the County’s Immigrant Legal Defense Program (ILDP) has delivered measurable results. The program has been very effective: nearly two-thirds of ILDP clients whose cases reached a decision were granted relief, compared to just 5% of individuals without legal representation. The program, administered by the Office of the Public Defender, also provides services at a fraction of the cost of private legal counsel.

The partnership with the Mexican Consulate comes in the form of two Memoranda of Agreement, which each cover a key component: 

• Expanded “Know Your Rights” Resources: The County will work with the Consulate to distribute multilingual, culturally competent materials across trusted public spaces such as libraries, health clinics, and social service offices. These resources will help families understand their rights, prepare for potential enforcement actions, and plan for the care of their children in emergencies.
• Increased Legal Defense Capacity: The agreement authorizes the County to negotiate resources from the Mexican Consulate to support legal services for Mexican nationals facing removal proceedings. This includes critical post-detention interventions such as bond assistance, habeas corpus petitions, and vacatur motions — tools that can prevent prolonged detention and ensure fair legal outcomes. Mexican nationals represent approximately 24% of individuals in the ILDP's existing client database, making this partnership directly relevant to the program's current caseload. 

The Mexican Consulate will fund the production and distribution of materials, as well as contribute resources to support legal services.

County officials emphasized that expanding access to legal representation and accurate information not only protects individual rights, but also strengthens community stability — reducing the likelihood of family separation, housing disruption, and increased reliance on emergency services.