CHICAGO (AP) — A study shows immigrants in Chicago facing deportation have seen a spike in legal representation due in part to a $1.3 million legal fund set up by Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune reports that researchers at Syracuse University study found the percentage of immigrants in the city represented by lawyers in deportation hearings jumped from 30 percent in May to 57 percent in August.
The increase follows Chicago’s decision to approve the fund late last year – one of several efforts nationwide to help immigrants fight deportation and avoid fraudulent lawyers in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump and his aggressive enforcement promises.
In Chicago, the fund has been used to hire attorneys through the Chicago-based National Immigrant Justice Center and issue grants to community organizations.