Immigrants in Chicago have seen a dramatic increase in legal representation since earlier this year, thanks in part to a fund established by the city, according to an independent study released this week by researchers at Syracuse University.
News Story (Illinois)
Vikki Ortiz Healy
Chicago Tribune
November 4, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Immigration Process
Organizations mentioned/involved: National Immigrant Justice Center
News Story (Illinois)
Vikki Ortiz Healy
Chicago Tribune
November 4, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Immigration Process
Organizations mentioned/involved: National Immigrant Justice Center
DETAILS
According to the report, the percentage of immigrants in Chicago who were represented in deportation hearings spiked from 30 percent in May to 57 percent in August.
“The more representation we have in court, the more we have a balanced system,” said Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center, a Chicago-based immigrant advocacy group that partnered with the city to help give legal counsel and services to thousands of immigrants threatened with deportation.
The Legal Defense Fund, approved by the Chicago City Council in January, uses $1.3 million in city funds to pay for immigrants’ legal services or to help them navigate other options to try to avoid deportation.