Since 2018, Long Beach has funded some removal defense for people whom ICE has detained during their court proceedings through the Long Beach Justice Fund (LBJF). The intention behind focusing the funding on people who are detained and fighting against deportation was to address the most acute need first. People who are not detained may still face deportation and sometimes permanent exile from their homes and families, but the process usually takes longer and they may have greater ability to find a lawyer.

Over the past seven years, the LBJF has had many successes. Forty Long Beach residents have received legal help through the LBJF; assistance that has meant more time together for Long Beach families. Additionally, the program has given community members a greater sense of safety, increased public education about the immigration system, and helped to shift local narratives surrounding immigration enforcement. However, community advocates who make referrals to the program have also identified several growth areas for the program, both in terms of the types of cases residents require legal assistance with and in terms of how the program liaises with clients, their families, and other advocates.