The Trump administration has officially ended the National Qualified Representative Program, which provided legal assistance to immigrants deemed mentally incompetent. Legal advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., claiming that approximately 200 vulnerable individuals, including those with mental health issues and cognitive disabilities, will be adversely affected by this termination. Advocates argue that without legal counsel, these immigrants face heightened risks of torture and death if deported, as many come from countries where mental illness is severely stigmatized. The program’s closure impacts all states except Arizona, California, and Washington, where it was originally established as part of a legal settlement in a 2013 lawsuit involving José Antonio Franco-Gonzalez, an immigrant with cognitive disabilities.
Supporters of the program highlighted its importance in aiding not only legal representation but also in facilitating necessary medical and psychological evaluations for impacted individuals. The end of this program aligns with the Trump administration’s broader agenda to curtail immigrant legal support and expedite deportation processes. Other recent actions include cutting funding for attorneys representing unaccompanied minors and terminating orientation programs that informed detainees of their rights.
Legal experts assert that having counsel simplifies the immigration process, benefiting both judges and vulnerable immigrants. The lawsuit cites discriminatory practices against individuals with disabilities and warns that the termination could lead to tragic consequences for many. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit represent several immigrant advocacy groups, each highlighting that the legal assistance provided was crucial for those navigating complex immigration proceedings, ensuring that their rights and well-being were upheld.
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