Advocates sue to restore federal funding for rep of immigrants w/disabilities
Back in 2013, litigation in federal district court resulted in a ruling that those with mental illness facing deportation had the right to assistance by a “qualified representative”. That same year, the Obama Administration agreed to implement the ruling (which applied only to Arizona, Washington and California) nationwide, resulting in the creation of the National Qualified Representative Program that has served 3,000 people since 2013. However, the Trump Administration eliminated funding for the program in April, and in response advocates have sued to get the funding restored. In the meantime, attorneys who had been representing NQRP detainees have been trying to raise funds to continue their representation, while detainees in Arizona, Washington and California still receive representation owing to the 2013 court rulin
