9/24/14 - The Trust to Help Pay For Legal Aid For Kids Facing Deportation

New York Times
9/23/14

Program to Give Legal Help to Young Migrants

The New York City Council and two philanthropic foundations are combining forces to provide legal representation and other services to some 1,000 unaccompanied immigrant children facing possible deportation under a new accelerated court process.

Advocates for immigrants fear that the children, often fleeing abuse or gang violence, will otherwise be denied due process. “Without a lawyer, you’re four times as likely to be sent back to your country than if you do have one,” said Eric Weingartner, a managing director at the Robin Hood Foundation, one of the two charities contributing grants.

The Council on Tuesday is to earmark $1 million, officials said; the Robin Hood Foundation is committing $550,000, and the New York Community Trust, $360,000.

“It’s a groundbreaking public-private partnership,” said Melissa Mark-Viverito, the City Council speaker. Read more>>