Denial of due process for immigrant kids
Government records indicate more than 40 percent of the children - many under 14 years of age and with little understanding of English - are processed through…
Amid severe criticism, House Republicans have again denied funding for the Justice Department to help immigrant children obtain legal counsel when called before immigration courts to face deportation.
According to Politico.com, government records indicate more than 40 percent of the children - many under 14 years of age and with little understanding of English - are processed through the system now without counsel.
On Aug. 1 Republicans removed all money intended for attorneys from their supplemental spending bill to address the border crisis. However they have been willing to spend in video-conferencing equipment for the courts.
DOJ had asked for $13.2 million in funds to distribute in the following order: $6.7 million for video-conferencing, $2.5 million for legal orientation programs and $4 million to hire attorneys.
Instead Rep. Frank Wolf approved $13.2 million, designating $9.1 million for video-conferencing and $4.1 million for immigration judges to expedite the deportations hearings.
No money for legal orientation or counsel for the children is provided.
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