California bill would fund deportation defense for all immigrants, including those with felonies
By WENDY FRY | wendy@calmatters.org | CalMatters
PUBLISHED: March 16, 2023 at 8:37 a.m. | UPDATED: March 16, 2023 at 8:49 a.m.
In California, when the federal government tries to deport someone the funds for that person’s legal defense may come from an unlikely source: the state budget.
Each year the state sets aside about $45 million for grants to nonprofits that provide defense and other legal services to low-income immigrants and their families. So far, the program called One California has paid for legal representation for more than 1,000 Californians facing detention, deportation or family separation, state officials say.
The money also provides outreach, education services and “affirmative immigration relief,” which is when an immigrant applies for asylum directly to immigration authorities while not involved in deportation proceedings.
Not everyone can access these legal reserves. Immigrants who have been convicted of serious or violent felonies are excluded from accessing state funds for legal representation during removal proceedings.
https://www.times-standard.com/2023/03/16/california-bill-would-fund-deportation-defense-for-all-immigrants-including-those-with-felonies/
