Whittier City Council reviews immigration-related donations to two local groups – Whittier Daily News

Whittier City Council reviews immigration-related donations to two local groups  Whittier Daily News

City Council members review a $130,000 donation to two groups helping ICE-impacted Whittier residents. Who gets a separate $50,000 earmarked by the Whittier City Council for legal aid will be decided at a later date. A review of how $130,000 in donations from the city of Whittier to two local nonprofits opened both up to criticism on Oct. 27, with critics demanding the money, earmarked to help residents impacted by federal immigration enforcement, be returned. But at least one city councilmember defended the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) and Interfaith Food Center (IFC) as trusted local aid groups that should be given a chance to do better. At the Oct. 27 City Council meeting, lawmakers were set to receive and file a report on the relief funding the city donated in 2025 to HOT and IFC, specifically to help residents caught up in the Trump administration’s continuing immigration enforcement.

The fact that the city gave the funds as a donation meant both groups could decide how to spend it, with IFC reporting it spent $26,880 on fuel for its trucks, rent and utilities, and facilities maintenance and repair. “While that supports their mission and I appreciate that they gave food to families, it definitely was not the intent,” Councilmember Vicky Santana said, adding she appreciates how careful HOT officials have been