Federal Program to Provide Representation for Indigent Immigrants Would Pay for Itself
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of immigrants involved in removal proceeedings in immigration court do not have representation.
The unrepresented include children who entered the U.S. without an adult and who are facing deportation alone, as well as immigrants who have a good legal argument to remain in the U.S. but do not know it.
Current law does not require that indigent immigrants be appointed a lawyer in immigration court. However, many groups are pushing for change in this area. A recent study by NERA Economic Consulting (NERA), a global firm that applies economic, finance, and quantitative principles to overcome complex challenges,
shows that the federal government would recover nearly all costs if representation were provided. NERA estimates that reduced spending on detention, transportation, and other enforcement-related costs would make up for the roughly $208 million required to provide representation for all immigrants in removal proceedings. When provided with representation, immigrants are released from detention sooner, take up less space on the federal court dockets, and more willingly agree to voluntary removal if recommended by their lawyer.
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Over One Million Green Cards Issued in 2012
The Department of Homeland Security's Annual Flow Report reported that 1,031,631 green cards were issued in 2012. Nearly 66% of those green cards were based on family ties to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Immigrants came mostly from Mexico (14%), China (8%) and India (6%). Refugees and asylees accounted for 14.6% of new green card holders. Most new permanent residents live in California (19%).
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Voulez-Vous Immigrer aux États-Unis?
As part of our commitment to empowering people through information and connecting with our clients on a cultural level, HuWe Law, in conjunction with the Comité Officiel, held a free one-hour presentation at the Alliance Française in San Francisco last Thursday evening.
Partner Isabelle Hurtubise and paralegal Zelinda Caudel led the presentation, conducted in French, to a diverse group of French immigrants. We covered a wide range of topics, including the family-based green card, H-1B visa for temporary workers, asylum, and E treaty and investor visas. Our audience posed excellent questions including some involving F-1 student visas, the J-1 exchange visitor visa, and the O-1 visa for persons with extraordinary abilities or talents. We really enjoyed meeting new and interesting people in the process!
If you know of any groups in San Francisco, the South Bay, or San Jose that may be interested in a free presentation from HuWe Law, please contact us at 415-496-9040 or 650-691-8370 for more information.
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Child Immigrants Under CSPA
