Topline:
Los Angeles is pitching in to expand free legal help for immigrants facing deportation as part of Represent LA, a public-private program in which the city participates with L.A. County and private philanthropies. The city council voted to allow funding to be used for the program's deportation defense services.
The backstory: Represent LA is a public-private fund that helps provide legal services for immigrants. Partners in the $14-million program include Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, the California Community Foundation and the Weingart Foundation. Money from the Represent LA fund goes to local nonprofits that provide immigration legal services.
Why now: Until now, the city's contribution to Represent LA had restrictions: city money that goes to Represent LA could only be spent for "affirmative" immigration legal services, such as helping people change their immigration status.
On Wednesday, the city council voted 10-2, with two council members voting no and three absent, to allow the city's $4 million contribution to the program to be used for deportation defense for detained and non-detained immigrants, including people who've had previous criminal convictions.
Where to get help:
More information on how to access Represent LA can be found here.
Go Deeper:
LA’s Pilot Fund For Undocumented Immigrants To Get Free Legal Services Is Here To Stay
