(The Center Square) – Government transparency group Open The Books reported the state of California provided anti-deportation groups with $73.6 million in 2023 and 2024, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which received $35 million.
California Republican lawmakers responded by demanding an audit into the extent by which state funding is subsidizing CHIRLA’s protest and activism-related activities.
“I’m formally requesting the Legislature audit the extent by which LA’s riots are being bankrolled by a taxpayer subsidized nonprofit,” said Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, R-Trabuco Canyon, on X. “There is zero excuse for our tax dollars to go towards these riots.”
OTB’s report highlights CHIRLA’s “Wise Up!” program, which it says teaches high schoolers how to become activists, and the organization’s policy platform.
According to CHIRLA’s website, the program seeks to “organize high school students — both undocumented and allies — around immigrant rights, and full access to educational opportunities,” and “activates students” by “engaging them civically to fight in the legislative arena and the public square for measures that ease their access to education and citizenship.”
CHIRLA’s website also outlines its policy advocacy pillars, which includes “challenge anti-immigrant legislation,” “reduce immigration enforcement,” and “invest in immigrant communities.”
Sanchez’s letter requesting the state audit detailed other CHIRLA activities, including some connected to the Los Angeles deportation riots — including its “Removal Defense Team” providing deportation defense, and allegations that CHIRLA “materially and financially supported the coordinated protests and riots that have wrecked havoc on portions of Los Angeles.”
CHIRLA’s social media presence on Bluesky includes recent posts on hotline to report sightings of federal immigration agents, and to get immigration-related help.
On Tuesday, CHIRLA leaders spoke on stage at an anti-deportation protest in front of Los Angeles City Hall and were shortly followed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“I need your prayer to be fierce,” said CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas at the event. “I need your prayer to stop the raids. Provide our people due process.”
“Set us free as immigrants in this country,” continued Salas.
“Stop the raids. That has to end. We cannot create a sense of fear,” said Bass. “We will fight for all Angelenos regardless of when they came here, where they are from, or how they got here.”
The Center Square has previously reported on the state of California’s funding for deportation defense, which included $24 million last year solely for deportation defense and another $37 million for a wide range of other immigration-related legal services for legal and undocumented immigrants.
In February, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill authorizing another $25 million for legal aid for residents, the majority of which appears likely to go toward deportation defense for illegal immigrants.
