ICNV Staff - Irvine Community News and Views

Free Tax Filing Help

Now through April 7th, the City of Irvine is partnering with Orange County United Way to offer...

I-CARE Team Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary

Last year, the City established a new resource, the Irvine Community Alternative Response and Engagement (I-CARE) Team.

The team was assembled to assist the Irvine Police Department by handling mental health crisis intervention, homeless outreach and resource connection, nonviolent dispute resolution, home welfare visits, and other community-based needs that may not require a law enforcement response.

Since its launch last year, I-CARE team members have responded to over 4,300 calls involving mental health support, welfare checks, outreach, and nonviolent disputes where compassion and resources make the greatest difference. The team has provided these resources about 79% of the time on their own without needing police intervention or assistance.

Irvine to Establish an Immigration Assistance Program

Over the past several months, members of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency have carried out operations throughout Southern California, including here in Irvine.

According to City staff, ICE agents operating in Irvine have not targeted specific individuals with criminal records. Instead, they have made stops and detentions based on generalized criteria — including apparent race or ethnicity; speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent; presence at a particular location; and the type of work one does.

On February 24th, the City Council voted to establish a program to ensure that people working or living in Irvine have access to legal representation if they are detained by ICE.