Senate GOP Blocks Funding Lawyers To Protect Children From Deportation

Source: Talking Points Memo

Senate GOP Blocks Funding Lawyers To Protect Children From Deportation
By ANDREW TAYLORPublished
June 10, 2015, 3:17 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A GOP-controlled Senate panel on Wednesday blocked President Barack Obama's request for $50 million to pay for legal help for unaccompanied immigrant children coming to the United States after fleeing violence in Central America.

Responsible for the move was Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, chief author of a spending bill funding the Justice Department's budget. The measure won initial approval on Wednesday but has a long way to go before becoming law.

The flow of children fleeing gangs and other dangers in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador and finding their way to the U.S. is down significantly from last year, when an influx created a humanitarian crisis, in states along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Without lawyers, children are much more likely to be sent back to their home countries. Under federal law, immigrant children have two options to seek legal status, including requesting asylum for fear of returning home to face gang violence.


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