Donald Trump dismantles a program that helps impoverished immigrants get affordable legal representation

The Trump Administration has dismantled a long-standing Justice Department program that helps low-income or indigent immigrants to have competent and affordable legal representation in immigration issues, as reported by CBS News.

However, several sources assure CBS News that the attorneys assigned to this program They were transferred last week to the Immigration courts, leaving only two support people who do not have the authority to grant accreditations.

“This program saves lives”

Under this initiative, which is part of the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), some 2,600 advocates from community organizations, such as Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. y Jewish Family Serviceshave been accredited to provide advice to low-income foreigners who have pending procedures with the immigration authorities.

In fact, most of these people are accredited to help immigrants obtain representation before the Department of Homeland Security when they apply for immigration benefits, such as residency cards, naturalization or legal status for humanitarian reasons.

Anna Gallagher, executive director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., has confirmed the dismissal of his lawyers by the Trump Administration.

“It’s alarming. This program saves lives and also helps alleviate the backlog of cases in the immigration system. “The lawyers cannot cope and any attempt to slow down the program will only hinder an already overloaded and collapsed system,” he assured.

CBS has contacted a Trump Administration official, who has denied that this program has been dismantled.

The Trump Administration has already adopted several measures that make it difficult or even more restrictive for immigrants to advance through the legal immigration system.

Last year, the Justice Department removed the director of the Office of Legal Access Programs and dismantled most of its legal guidance services, that helped prepare vulnerable immigrants, such as unaccompanied minors and families, to navigate the legal system. Besides, fired or removed more than 100 immigration judges.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department imposed new rules that make it much more difficult for immigrants to appeal of adverse rulings, a move that lawyers predict will soon will overwhelm the federal appeals courts.