Seattle, King County councils approve $1.3 million in legal aid for immigrants

April 18, 2017

The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle City Council yesterday voted to create a $1 million legal-defense fund for immigrants whom the federal government attempts to deport. And the Metropolitan King County Council approved $750,000 for immigrant and refugee programs, including $300,000 for the defense of people in immigration court. The city and county will distribute the money to nonprofit organizations such as the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to do the legal work.

City and county leaders have said local immigrant families need the help because of President Donald Trump’s plan to step up deportations.

Counsel is generally not guaranteed to immigrants in removal proceedings. Some states and localities, such as New York and Los Angeles, are moving toward ensuring representation. The state of California is as well.

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