Denver Mayor Creates Legal Aid Fund for Dreamers and Other Undocumented Immigrants

"Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has set up a city legal fund for undocumented immigrants considered "dreamers," saying that all people should have access to a legal defense.

Flanked by about 50 supporters, Hancock announced the creation of the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund Monday on the steps of City Hall under a large "Denver loves immigrants" banner.

The fund was created by the Denver City Council, which set aside $200,000 in the city budget to provide legal services to people who are entered into removal proceedings, including young people who previously qualified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Removal proceedings are administrative proceedings to determine an individual’s removability under United States immigration law.

Hancock said Monday that an additional $100,000 was gifted to the fund from the New York City-based Vera Institute SAFE Cities Network, an research and policy organization that works with government and the justice systems to ensure fairness and promote safety. All told, the Denver fund now has $385,000 and the money will be awarded as grants to established nonprofit organizations that provide direct legal representation to undocumented immigrants and to nonprofit organizations that organize the pro bono efforts by local attorneys. The fund will be managed by The Denver Foundation..."

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