Legal Fund For Undocumented Immigrants Proposed In Fairfax Co.

FAIRFAX, VA—The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a pilot program creating a legal fund for immigrants facing deportation cases.

Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) and Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) proposed the $200,000 fund, according to the Washington Post. The program would benefit both legal and undocumented immigrants.

Federal law does not provide public defenders for civil immigration cases, unlike in criminal cases. Data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University data shows there are over 12,000 pending immigration cases in Fairfax County. That's the most in the state, followed by Prince William County, Loudoun County and the City of Alexandria.

Immigration advocates say Fairfax County's program would help lawful permanent residents, DACA recipients, and TPS holders facing deportation and who cannot afford lawyers. Advocates provided testimony in support of the proposal at a Wednesday Board of Supervisors hearing.

"Mass deportations and the separation of immigrants from their families spreads fear and makes immigrants less likely to report crimes or act as witnesses. Our community is safest when all our neighbors trust and know they will be treated justly and with dignity," said Luis Aguilar, director of CASA Virginia, one of the groups pushing for the fund.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) spoke out against the proposal, citing other funding needs in the county.

According to the Post, Prince George’s County, Md. has an annual $200,000 legal fund for immigrants, while Arlington County's $100,000 fund is not solely for deportation cases.

A vote on the proposal could potentially happen by the end of April.