By KENNETH SCHRUPP | 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.
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Democrats hate the USA, and will do anything to undermine and destroy it.
It is really that simple.
There is a word for such people: “traitors”.
There is a better word for such people: EVIL
Perhaps we should just let California have it’s way and be so overrun by illegals that they go bankrupt. Then we can put a wall around this once golden state and keep those once proud Americans from infecting the rest of us like they have with Oregon and Washington. And Arizona. And Idaho…
They are already bankrupt Rollo. Idiots waving the Mexican flag . The flag of the country they escaped and burning the American flag the flag of the country they want to stay in. Wtf is wrong here .??
You can’t make this stuff up. Holy illegal alien anti-deportation State funding Batman! It can’t happen here in Alaska, can it? Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Anchorage sounds good enough for an LLC to funnel money.
I mean help the poor illegal undocumented immigrants. Heck, it worked for the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness that garnered millions from the Anchorage Assembly. We’re trying to solve the homelessness, look at our five year pie in the sky plan.
We would have to deport 8000 pa day 7 days a week for 4 years to get back to even. It’s not easily done. Apparently we are capable of 1000 a day max.
“Create a sense of fear” by enforcing federal law. Get illegals to self-deport. The PFD illustrates how a pittance of free money can influence behavior, so offer them a free one way place ticket and $1000 in cash. The added benefit is getting rich liberals to move to Canada or Europe.
Were these communist invaders? Communists do not change. They do not love the republic or the liberties within the United States that Commander Trump is duty bound to defend for we the people.
‘https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/04/23/california-is-now-the-4th-largest-economy-in-the-world/
California is the 4th largest economy in the world, as a singular state within the United States of America.
These conversations need to be global to exert power and influence.
Lost opportunity, short-sightedness, and lack of US investment in Alaska have placed the United States even further behind in a competitive edge logistically.
It is not about people; people are used to incite emotion in California.
California has a Gross Domestic Product that is a powerhouse that outperforms countries as a singular state.
That is what is going on.
And yet (as of the end of 2024):
“California’s total long-term debt, between the state and local governments, has quietly surged to over half a trillion dollars, making it the most indebted state in the nation. The state’s debt problem is largely due to rapid growth in unfunded liabilities for pension and health care retirement benefits already promised to public workers .”
I’ve seen images of fires. But all the violence I’ve seen is from police. Brutal violence. Point blank firing of non-lethal rounds at media and demonstrators as well as people simply trying to return to their homes, beatings, etc…
Am I only supposed to see the fires? Ignore the one sided nature and escalation of violence by various government personnel and over the top mobilization of military forces? You guys better think long and hard about what you are supporting because this is going to get intense. This is going beyond mere arguments about funding priorities and cultural differences. And above all, be safe.
“…….all the violence I’ve seen is from police………”
Were those police looting the stores? Stopping traffic on the 101? Hurling stones chipped from public sidewalks at federal vehicles? Do I believe you or my lying eyes, especially since I lived through LA riots in my youth.
“But all the violence I’ve seen is from police.”
Really?!!
Then you clearly need to expand your range of news venues.
Let’s not forget one thing, there should have been no riot/violence or need for national guard intervention at all. Sworn federal officers came to town with active arrest warrants for criminals. This is a lawful action.
Instead of being able to do their job and get murders, gang members and drug dealers off the street, a mob of self-righteous activists interfered with their duty in a threatening manner. Bricks were thrown and they were off to the races. There were burned cars, broken windows at the LAPD headquarters and let us not forget all the MEXICAN flags being waved. Having ICE arrest criminals should not make you loot stores, throw Molotov cocktails at police or block a major highway, yet here we are. This was decidedly NOT one-sided. It was engineered to cause chaos and misery, aided and abetted by the LA mayor and the governor.
FYI ‘https://www.chirla.org/
The purpose for ‘protecting’ the millions (10k plus?) of ‘invaders’/illegal aliens is for the intent of leftist power. The state of Oregon just added another congressional seat because with their sanctuary status they counted all the illegals in their census. This should be illegal but evidently isn’t. Next they will push for illegals to vote. Sadly most people dependent on government for their sustenance vote for more government, Democrat. Now Marxist democrats use the illegal migrancy as a tool for power and control. It has all been intentional and organized for this purpose and has nothing to do with compassion although they will use such intent to lure in more foolish support. The organized riots also as chaos and mayhem is another Marxist tool.
Are you kidding “ Coffee Black”?
I don’t think you have a clear picture of what’s going on in LA.
Pieces of concrete block put in bags and hurled at police. Police being injured, spit on and harassed
Windows of businesses being defaced or broken so the shops can be looted.
Maybe you ought to look for facts before taking sides and running your mouth.
The Federal troops are there to enforce FEDERAL LAW since LA and California in general won’t.
Funny how they have no problem accepting billions of dollars in FEDERAL Money.
Really??? So all those folks chucking broken pieces of sidewalk were cops? Good grief get a grip! The rioters are getting what they deserve. When order is gone this is what we have to do. Go back 40 years to the LA RIOTS back then! These are people without any conscience or care about ANYONE. What is wrong with you?