ONE OF THE BAY AREA’S busiest federal immigration courts resides in Contra Costa County, making the area a lightning rod for not only fears of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but for protests. But it has also made the county a strong supporter of undocumented residents, earmarking funding and bolstering nonprofits that assist immigrants.
Early last month, Indivisible ReSisters Contra Costa in partnership with United Latino Voices and Concord Communities Alliance participated in a procession honoring those who’ve been detained, deported or are missing due to ICE.
“Our community refuses to be silent while families are being torn apart and people are disappeared,” said Kathryn Durham-Hammer, founder of Indivisible ReSisters Walnut Creek in a November news release. “We are standing together with others across the country to demand justice, dignity, and due process for all.”
In June, a skirmish erupted between protesters and federal agents outside the immigration court in Concord and the FBI ultimately released an image of one of the unidentified protesters who allegedly tore a badge off an agent.
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek, demanded answers from ICE after agents arrested a series of asylum seekers at their Concord court appearances over two weeks.
“I am deeply disappointed that your agency has chosen to use its resources to target individuals who are showing up to court to go through the proper judicial and legal process — exactly what proponents of immigration enforcement purport to advocate for,” DeSaulnier wrote to the acting director of ICE.
“This misguided effort will only result in others avoiding courts and law enforcement entirely. As many individuals who need to use these courts are already living in fear, we should be encouraging immigrants to attend court as instructed, not making them even more afraid to appear,” he wrote. “These kinds of underhanded enforcement actions also call into question the (Trump) Administration’s commitment to the American ideals of law and order and the right to due process.”
Rapid deportation defense grows
For immigrants going to their court dates or who need other assistance, Stand Together Contra Costa is an initiative that provides a 24-hour hotline for rapid deportation defense services, with the goal being to ensure that immigrants have access to legal due process regardless of their financial situation.
Stand Together Contra Costa has consistently been supported by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, who’ve contributed more than $3 million toward the organization in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone as a response to the increased threat of ICE.
“The issues we see in communities across the country with ICE are upsetting and unnerving, to put it mildly,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis.“The fear and uncertainty continue to be disruptive and confusing for all of us here in Contra Costa County.”
Burgis said Stand Together Contra Costa’s legal services have been valuable to immigrants across California.
“I know that numerous folks from counties across the state make their way to the federal immigration court in Concord,” Burgis said. “I hope to see more funding from other counties and our state to address the need for assistance.”
It’s not just Contra Costa County that is stepping up. In September, leaders from all across the Bay Area gathered to announce the creation of Stand Together Bay Area, a fund that pledges to raise $10 million in urgent financial assistance for immigrant families in need.
The Stand Together Bay Area fund was created by the San Francisco Foundation, a large nonprofit that provides grants to organizations across the Bay Area, including Contra Costa County. The fund is in response to ICE’s actions against immigrants under the Trump administration, according to the foundation. The fund will provide direct emergency grants to local nonprofit organizations that help immigrant families impacted by ICE pay for essential needs and living expenses.
The foundation has also directly contributed to local county organizations in the past, including Stand Together Contra Costa. The foundation pledged $575,000 to make the organization’s launch possible.
“Our foundations stand united with Contra Costa County against all attacks that threaten these values,” said the foundation.
Immigrants a vital part of Bay Area
The Stand Together Bay Area fund reflects a shared commitment to protecting and standing with immigrant communities, which make up nearly one-third of the Bay Area’s population and one-fourth of Contra Costa County’s, according to the 2024 U.S census.
“Immigrant communities are a vital part of the Bay Area’s social and economic fabric, and they are currently under attack,” said Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation.
The foundation outlined the visible damage the nationwide immigration crackdown has had on communities in the Bay Area.
“People are scared to leave their homes — fewer kids are in school, small businesses are suffering, and people are forgoing medical care,” the foundation said.
Stand Together’s $10 million will go to various nonprofits across the Bay Area that work to assist these families, such as the nonprofit Mission Asset Fund’s ALMA program (Ayuda para Las familias Migrantes en Adversidad, or Assistance for Immigrant Families in Adversity).
“Immigrant communities are a vital part of the Bay Area’s social and economic fabric, and they are currently under attack.”
Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation
The foundation plans to raise $10 million overall, $2 million of which it will contribute, and the rest coming through the help of Bay Area community leaders.
The foundation plans to raise its share of the money through a variety of sources, including corporate and individual donors.
This funding for a wider range of organizations throughout the Bay Area and Contra Costa County aligns with the San Francisco Foundation’s mission statement.
“The Stand Together Bay Area fund is our collective response to this moment,” said Blackwell.
Benjamin Barba-Zuniga is a 12th grader at California High School in San Ramon, the opinions editor for the school newspaper, The Californian, and a CCYJ reporter.
This story is part of a series reporting on the challenges nonprofit organizations in Contra Costa County face as changes in federal laws and policies go into effect. The series was made possible by support from the Lesher Foundation, its Newsmakers speaker series, and the Bay City News Foundation. Stories are produced independently by the CCYJ news team. This story originally appeared in CCSpin.