Protect the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship Project

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The California Immigrant Justice Fellowship prrogram was an advocate led proposal submitted to the California legislature in 2019, and was approved as part of the budget for that year. It is designed to create the first state-sponsored legal fellowship program to expand access to counsel in the most underserved rural regions of the state: the Central Valley and the Central Coast. It was scheduled to launch in 2020.

The program will develop the removal defense capacity of nonprofit legal service providers and increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys to defend California’s residents against deportation and family separation.

In ...

The California Immigrant Justice Fellowship prrogram was an advocate led proposal submitted to the California legislature in 2019, and was approved as part of the budget for that year. It is designed to create the first state-sponsored legal fellowship program to expand access to counsel in the most underserved rural regions of the state: the Central Valley and the Central Coast. It was scheduled to launch in 2020.

The program will develop the removal defense capacity of nonprofit legal service providers and increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys to defend California’s residents against deportation and family separation.

In the May 2020 revise of the state budget, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed to eliminate funding for the program. Advocates are fighting to ensure that the fellowship is not eliminated because this program is a critical investment for the rural communities of the state, and will protect family unity and due process for all.

Tell Governor Gavin Newsom that modest funding for the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship should not be cut!

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Tell Governor Newsom to Maintain Funding for the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship

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The California Immigrant Justice Fellowship is an advocate-led proposal submitted to the California legislature in 2019, and was approved as part of the budget for that year.

The Fellowship will create the first state-sponsored legal fellowship program to expand access to counsel in the most underserved rural regions of the state. The program will develop the removal defense capacity of legal service providers and increase the number of qualified immigration attorneys to defend California’s residents against deportation and family separation.

Now in 2020, advocates are fighting to ensure that the fellowship is not eliminated due to budgetary cuts. This 4.7 million dollar program is a critical investment for the rural communities of the state, and will protect family unity and due process for all.

We are calling on California Governor, Gavin Newsom and our elected leaders in the Legislature to make sure that this critical investment at a time when our families need access to legal services and representation.

Tell Governor Gavin Newsom you support immigrant families and funding for the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship program!

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Dear Governor Newsom and Legislative Leadership:

I am writing to you as a resident of California and an advocate for the protection of all immigrants in our state.

In 2019 a coalition of organizations from the Central Valley, Central Coast and Bay Area came together to develop a unique proposal to grow immigration legal services in underserved regions. This proposal was the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship, establishing a 4.7 million dollar investment to grow removal defense resources in critical regions of our state. 
 
This program passed through the budget in 2019 and enjoyed broad support from lawmakers and community members and advocates. Unfortunately the onset of the COVID-19 delayed the launch of this essential program, and has threatened the financial commitment made to these regions.

Immigrant communities in rural regions in our state are faced with mounting challenges, including the expansion of immigrant detention facilities in the Central Valley, and the looming Supreme Court decision on DACA, along with growing economic and social insecurity.

Therefore we ask that this modest yet critical investment is not forgotten in this year’s budget!

It is essential for our state to plant the seeds of justice and grow long term legal resources and capacity in these regions to keep families together and thriving.

Please maintain the funding for the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship program! Our immigrant families need it now more than ever.

Thank you for your support!

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