Councilmembers Criticize How Two Nonprofits Used Immigration Relief Money
One nonprofit reports spending less than 10% of its share. The other spent all of its share, mostly on rent, staff and gas.
Since August, Whittier councilmembers have been asking one question: what happened to the immigration money? On Oct. 27, they finally got written reports and several did not like what they read.
In August 2025, the Council set aside $180,000 to help families hurt by immigration enforcement. Two nonprofits, the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) and Interfaith Food Center (IFC), got $65,000 each. The other $50,000 was set aside for immigration legal help.
More than 14 months after receiving its first City money, HOT reports it has spent $6,388.63 through Oct. 20. Its reports do not say how many people that helped.
Councilmember Vicky Santana said she met twice with HOT's board and pushed it to widen who qualifies for its "micro-grant" program, which started at a maximum of $250 and was limited to families with children in K-12 schools. HOT has since raised the maximum to $1,000 per household and expanded what the money can cover.
"While I appreciate what the HOT board has done since," Santana said, "I'm extremely disappointed personally that the number is $6,388 has been sent. Not even 10% of the donation that was given to them."
IFC says it spent all $65,000, mostly on rent, staff, utilities and gas. It says it served 1,300 Whittier residents, but its report does not say how many of them were affected by immigration enforcement.
"I am frustrated that IFC, that their report was what it was, and that it wasn't more specific to families," said Councilmember Cathy Warner.
The $50,000 for legal help was never paid out and the City still holds it. The Council told staff to find a new legal aid group for that money.
