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

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced on August 5 that he secured $3. 4 million in funding for immigrant legal defense, but his involvement was limited to sponsoring legislation to accept a grant from the Crankstart Foundation. The grant, awarded to the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, was in place months before Lurie's announcement. Critics, including former supervisors, deem Lurie's claim as misleading and emphasize that he has effectively reduced funding for immigrant legal defense by not renewing previous allocations. In 2024, his predecessor, Mayor London Breed, provided one-time funds of $878,000 to local immigrant legal services—funding Lurie opted not to continue.

The Public Defender’s Office was surprised by Lurie's press release, indicating a lack of communication and transparency regarding the grant process. Charles Lutvak, Lurie's spokesman, asserted that the mayor's action was a necessary legislative step, yet did not clarify if Lurie contributed additional support. This situation raises concerns about Lurie's commitment to the immigrant community, particularly in light of the ongoing budget deficit. As immigrant defense groups stress the urgency of funding, Lurie's approach may undermine trust in his administration's dedication to their cause.