TESTIMONY VIA PHONE:
The League of Women Voters of San Diego supports the proposed San Diego County Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Program. Detained immigrants facing removal proceedings deserve access to legal counsel. While an immigrant has the right to counsel at their own expense and choosing, only 17 percent of detainees in San Diego are able to secure legal representation, according to the American Immigration Council. The majority are therefore left to defend themselves in an adversarial and extremely complex system against the United States Government, which is always represented by counsel.
Our society has a moral and ethical duty to provide immigrants and refugees dignity and hope through legal representation that seeks to protect their rights in the court of law. With this action, San Diego County will be able to join efforts in protecting our immigrant population. We urge the County Board of Supervisors to support:
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Investing $5 million for a pilot Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Program that will provide access to legal representation at no cost to detained individuals facing deportation or removal proceedings.
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Creating the permanent Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Program.
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Including funding in both the pilot and permanent Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Programs for translation services
The League of Women Voters of San Diego and North County San Diego, are nonpartisan political organizations with over 600 members. We encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. We support due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal, and right to humane treatment.