Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is pleased to announce that the Fairfax Immigrant Defense Program has been awarded a two-year grant through the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool (CCFP). Thanks to this funding, the program will be able to provide full legal representation to nearly two dozen detained Fairfax residents and provide legal rights education to all residents who are detained over the next two years.
Our nation's immigration laws are complex and individuals – especially detained individuals – without immigration attorneys are unlikely to win their cases. Immigrants with attorneys fare better at every stage of their case. They are more likely to be released from detention, identify immigration relief, and apply for and receive that relief. In the Arlington Immigration Court, individuals with representation were twice as likely to win their cases compared to those without counsel.
Through CCFP funding, CAIR Coalition will provide direct representation to Fairfax County residents who are immigrants, who are in deportation proceedings, and who cannot otherwise afford counsel. Dozens of jurisdictions across the country have implemented universal representation programs. This program makes Fairfax County the first jurisdiction in Virginia with such a program.
“This program serves as a strong commitment by Fairfax County to its immigrant residents and establishes the county as a regional and national leader in providing universal representation for immigrants who are detained,” said Ashley Warmeling, Managing Attorney of the Fairfax Immigrant Defense Program.
CAIR Coalition is thrilled to be part of this pioneering effort to support residents of Fairfax County with quality legal assistance!
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Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition is the only non-profit organization in the Capital region with legal and social services programs focused primarily on immigrants who are detained. CAIR Coalition directly represents hundreds of immigrant children and adults in immigration court each year through our Detained Adult Program and Detained Children’s Program. Simultaneously, CAIR Coalition’s Immigration Impact Lab pursues cutting-edge litigation for sweeping policy change regionally and nationally.
