County officials agreed Tuesday in a 4-1 vote to support the California Community Foundation with $3 million, over the strong objection of 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The deal grants several million dollars to the organization, which plans to use the money “to provide legal defense for illegal immigrants facing deportation,” according to Barger’s office, which issued a strongly worded statement in opposition.

One of the bigger concerns, per Barger spokesman Tony Bell, is the misuse of Los Angeles County taxpayers’ dollars, which should not be used to pay for a broken federal system, in this case, immigration.

“The federal government has failed time and time again to fix the problem, to provide a viable solution or to assist counties and cities in dealing with the issue,” he said, adding Barger planned to continue to be “watchdog” for taxpayer funds.

Barger’s statement reiterated the stance she took back in December, When Supervisor Hilda Solis first introduced the item.

“Our federal immigration system is broken. It is the federal government’s responsibility to support states and counties in their efforts to address the costs of illegal immigration,” she said.  “Consistent with my position on this issue on December 20, 2016, county taxpayers should not be forced to bear the cost to provide free legal representation for those facing deportation.”

The California Community Foundation is “dedicated to fulfilling the promise of a greater Los Angeles for all of its residents. We are committed to creating positive systemic change that strengthens and empowers communities to determine their own destiny. As a leading L.A. advocate, grantmaker and partner, we support these efforts with everything we have,” according to its website.

The organization is run by a Board of Directors that includes Gloria Molina, the former 1st District Supervisor whom Solis replaced.

The item was first introduced Dec. 20, 2016, by a motion to create the Los Angeles Justice Fund, which passed on a 4-1 vote.

This motion directed the County CEO to identify and set aside $1 million in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and up to $2 million in Fiscal Year 2017-18 with the purpose of providing legal representation to illegal immigrants at risk of deportation.

This funding would be in addition to a $2 million contribution from the City of Los Angeles, and a $5 million contribution from the philanthropic community. The totality of these contributions would bring the Los Angeles Justice fund to a total of $10 million.