MoCo Council proposes taxpayer-funded lawyers for illegal immigrants facing deportation

Illegal immigrants

convicted of murder,

rape would be eligible

for taxpayer-funded

lawyers if they have 

a "potentially 

meritorious" case

The Montgomery County Council has introduced a "special appropriation" of $373,957 to fund free lawyers for illegal immigrants facing deportation. County Councilmember Nancy Navarro said she was proud that the Council would use taxpayer funds to defend illegal immigrants from deportation, adding that Tuesday's proposal "doubled down on our commitment to protect our immigrant community."

While the Council resolution claims in one section that illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes such as murder and rape would not be eligible for the taxpayer-funded legal assistance, that claim is negated by later wording.

On Page 3 of the resolution, the text notes that illegal immigrants convicted of murder, rape, sexual offenses, armed carjacking, kidnapping, child kidnapping, sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, gang participation, human trafficking and "abducting a child under 16 for prostitution" would be eligible for taxpayer-funded legal counsel if "the individual has a potentially meritorious claim for immigration relief from removal in the form of a claim to United States citizenship, protection under the Convention Against Torture, U/T Visa, or Refugee Adjustment."

A public hearing on the appropriation will be held on May 1 at the County Council Building, located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The County is currently facing a budget shortfall of $208,000,000.

CASA DE MARYLAND

TO HOLD

PRESS CONFERENCE

REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION

OF

SECURE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

IN

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Immigrant Advocacy Group Opposes

"Failed" Federal Program

This morning at 11:00, immigrant advocacy group Casa de Maryland will hold a press conference at the Montgomery County Executive Office building in Rockville. Group representatives will be joined by unnamed elected officials, and religious and community leaders to speak against Montgomery County's involuntary participation in the federal Secure Communities program.

The program, which mandates reporting of data on those arrested to federal agencies, is described as a "failure" by Casa's Susana Flores.

Montgomery's current policy is to only report those charged in violent crimes, implemented several years ago by Police Chief Thomas Manger.

Critics have feared the program will snare primarily those arrested on minor offenses. Supporters have pointed to the fact that other jurisdictions like Fairfax County - Montgomery's biggest rival - already participate.

One speaker at the press conference will be Maria Bolanos, who was caught by the program, Casa says, after reporting a domestic violence incident in which she was the victim.

As an advocate for victims of domestic violence, this has always been a primary concern of mine when any immigration program is discussed. Whatever program is utilized, a woman should never have to fear seeking help if she is a victim of domestic violence.

With no immigration reform on the horizon in Congress, expect such programs to remain controversial, with so many competing interests to be balanced.