In the face of fear and xenophobia, D.C. agencies and nonprofits reach out to homeless immigrants

"Even as crackdowns and harsh rhetoric at the federal level spread fear, D.C. nonprofits and government agencies are expanding services offered to immigrants. “The mayor’s line is ‘Our values didn’t change on Election Day,’” said Carter Hewgley, a senior advisor at the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The District boasts relatively generous government programs aimed at reducing the blight of homelessness in D.C., but the immigrant community continues to face particular barriers to benefits, representation in domestic violence cases, and employment. In this context, DHS is preparing for hypothermia season and encounters with Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE), while the Legal Aid Society of D.C., is expanding its immigration practice and moving to hire a full-time immigration attorney, thanks to a grant from the Venable Foundation..."

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