NY bill would guarantee counsel in all immigration removal cases
UPDATE FEB 24: push continues for NY immigration right to counsel
WENY covered the pending bill, which would “…establish a universal right to counsel for indigent New Yorkers who are subject to removal proceedings under federal immigration law, as well as related proceedings.” And an op-ed in Law360 urged passage of the law, noting high stakes, “byzantine” law, and studies that have found immigration representation is transformative
Advocates from the CARE for Immigrant Families are asking for $150 million for immigration legal services.
Background
A statewide bill in NY, the Access to Representation Act, would provide a right to counsel for both detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.
You can read the bill sponsor’s press-release,and a recent commentary piece in the Times-Union made the case as to why NY should pass the bill. There has also been media coverage in US News and World Report, NY Daily News, NY Law Journal, and Crains New York Business.
The NCCRC is supporting the efforts of the NY statewide coalition.
