Mayor Lurie takes credit for immigrant legal funding he had little to do with

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that he had secured $3. 4 million for immigrant legal defense, a claim contested by critics who note that the funding was obtained by the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office from the Crankstart Foundation. This grant, intended to hire additional attorneys, was reported earlier by Mission Local. Critics, including former supervisors, described Lurie's legislative sponsorship as a mere formality, emphasizing that it does not equate to active support for immigrant defense. Lurie's spokesperson maintained that the mayor's involvement was critical in the legislative process.

Additionally, Lurie chose not to renew $878,000 in funding previously allocated by Mayor London Breed, which immigrant defense advocates argued was essential given the current political climate. Advocacy groups have expressed urgency in securing funding to counter increased federal enforcement and its impact on local communities. The discrepancy between Lurie's claims and the actual funding process has led to scrutiny of his administration's commitment to immigrant services. Ultimately, this situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by immigrants in San Francisco amid budget constraints.