Senators push for $ 500 million to help children and other immigrants.
Dozens of Democratic senators are lobbying two Senate panels to allocate $ 500 million to the legal aid of migrant children and adult non-citizens without legal representation, including those detained at the border.
In letters addressed to the Subcommittees on Appropriations for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (HELP), it is requested to allocate $ 200 million dollars so that unaccompanied children have an assigned lawyer, and $ 300 million in funds for victims of violence for migrants detained at the border and without legal representation.
Senator Kirsten Gilliabrand (New York), who has advocated for migrant families, leads the signing of both petitions - according to letters provided to this newspaper - where it is justified that different studies highlight the importance of legal advice before courts, This not only benefits the person before a judge, but also depressurizes the courts, which currently have 1.3 million cases behind .
"Justice and due process should not be available only to those who can afford the resources necessary to navigate a vast and complex immigration system," said Senator Gillibrand. "I am proud to lead these important requests for appropriation funds because guaranteed access to an attorney will bring us closer to reinventing and rebuilding an immigration court system that recognizes the dignity of children and vulnerable individuals."
That letter is signed by 21 senators, including Dianne Feinstein (California), chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Legality.
"As unaccompanied children continue to seek potentially vital protection in the United States, it has never been more important that they have attorneys who respect due process and ensure efficiency in their immigration procedures," it says.
The petition is to Democratic Sen. Patty Murray (Washington), chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations and Education subcommittee, and Republican Roy Blunt (Missouri), a high-ranking member of that panel.
"We respectfully request that you provide no less than $ 300 million in funding for legal services for unaccompanied children through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)," the letter states.
As well as the resources for legal support for migrant children, the senators point out that it is the best time to consider another $ 200 million dollars in the budget of the Department of Justice, on which the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) depends, same that controls the immigration courts .
Senators push for $ 500 million to help children and other immigrants
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand leads effort by a couple dozen congressmen calling for funding for legal representation
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pushes the allocation of funds to help migrants legally.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By: Jesús García May 06, 2021
Dozens of Democratic senators are lobbying two Senate panels to allocate $ 500 million to the legal aid of migrant children and adult non-citizens without legal representation, including those detained at the border.
In letters addressed to the Subcommittees on Appropriations for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (HELP), it is requested to allocate $ 200 million dollars so that unaccompanied children have an assigned lawyer, and $ 300 million in funds for victims of violence for migrants detained at the border and without legal representation.
Senator Kirsten Gilliabrand (New York), who has advocated for migrant families, leads the signing of both petitions - according to letters provided to this newspaper - where it is justified that different studies highlight the importance of legal advice before courts, This not only benefits the person before a judge, but also depressurizes the courts, which currently have 1.3 million cases behind .
"Justice and due process should not be available only to those who can afford the resources necessary to navigate a vast and complex immigration system," said Senator Gillibrand. "I am proud to lead these important requests for appropriation funds because guaranteed access to an attorney will bring us closer to reinventing and rebuilding an immigration court system that recognizes the dignity of children and vulnerable individuals."
That letter is signed by 21 senators, including Dianne Feinstein (California), chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Legality.
"As unaccompanied children continue to seek potentially vital protection in the United States, it has never been more important that they have attorneys who respect due process and ensure efficiency in their immigration procedures," it says.
The petition is to Democratic Sen. Patty Murray (Washington), chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations and Education subcommittee, and Republican Roy Blunt (Missouri), a high-ranking member of that panel.
"We respectfully request that you provide no less than $ 300 million in funding for legal services for unaccompanied children through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)," the letter states.
As well as the resources for legal support for migrant children, the senators point out that it is the best time to consider another $ 200 million dollars in the budget of the Department of Justice, on which the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) depends, same that controls the immigration courts .
“We respectfully request that you provide no less than $ 200 million for legal services… to provide legal representation to vulnerable populations, including victims of abuse, torture or violence, or a person whose income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. ” Says the petition . "The funding would also be used to ensure access to an attorney for non-citizens who are or have been detained in immigration detention centers and border facilities."
That letter is addressed to Democrat Jeanne Shaeen (New Hampshire), chair of the Trade, Justice and Science Appropriations subcommittee, and Republican Jerry Moran (Kansas), a senior member of the same panel.
The petitioning senators, who also include Alex Padilla (California), Bernie Sanders (Vermont), Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Ed Markey (Massachusetts), insist that access to an attorney is essential in immigration proceedings.
"People who appear in immigration court must pay for an attorney or go unrepresented, often in a language they do not understand while navigating complex rules and regulations , " they warn.
They add that in recent years only 30 percent of immigrants who attend an appointment in immigration court have legal representation.
The delay in immigration courts tripled during the administration of President Donald Trump and currently exceeds 1.3 million files.
The senators' petition is in addition to the $ 75 million that a group of Democratic representatives requested a few days ago.
Lawyers urge help
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) celebrated the effort of the senators led by Gillibrand.
"AILA applauds these senators, led by Senator Gillibrand, who are tackling one of the great parodies of the American justice system that still does not guarantee legal representation to asylum seekers, families and other vulnerable individuals , " said Greg Chen, Chief Director. of Government Relations of that association.
He added that all immigrants need a lawyer to understand their cases and have fair representation in court .
"Without a lawyer, it is almost impossible for someone who does not speak English and does not have legal training to apply for protection such as asylum, but this is just what the immigration courts in the United States force thousands of people to do each year," exposed. "Legal advice not only guarantees fairer court procedures, it also reduces delays."
Among the benefits for the courts themselves is that they will not have to deal with archived files, because immigrants do not appear, since 96% of people who have a lawyer attend their appointment.
The organization KIND also highlighted support for unaccompanied children, the most vulnerable immigrants.
"Providing legal services for vulnerable children in immigration proceedings not only ensures that those children have a fair opportunity to seek humanitarian protection, but also creates vital efficiencies in court," said Wendy Young, president of that group.
He added that this will allow explaining their cases to children and looking for the best legal options for their protection in the United States.
"Congress should allocate solid funds for legal services for unaccompanied children, because it is the right and smart thing to do for these children and the nation," he said.