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LA City Council Approves Legal Defense Funds For Immigrants Facing Deportation
Los Angeles City Hall
(
Frazer Harrison
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Los Angeles is pitching in to expand free legal help for immigrants facing deportation as part of Represent LA, a public-private program in which the city participates with L.A. County and private philanthropies. The city council voted to allow funding to be used for the program's deportation defense services.
The backstory: Represent LA is a public-private fund that helps provide legal services for immigrants. Partners in the $14-million program include Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, the California Community Foundation and the Weingart Foundation. Money from the Represent LA fund goes to local nonprofits that provide immigration legal services.
Why now: Until now, the city's contribution to Represent LA had restrictions: city money that goes to Represent LA could only be spent for "affirmative" immigration legal services, such as helping people change their immigration status.
Sponsored message
On Wednesday, the city council voted 10-2, with two council members voting no and three absent, to allow the city's $4 million contribution to the program to be used for deportation defense for detained and non-detained immigrants, including people who've had previous criminal convictions.
Where to get help:
More information on how to access Represent LA
can be found here
.
Go Deeper:
LA’s Pilot Fund For Undocumented Immigrants To Get Free Legal Services Is Here To Stay
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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