FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022 

Media Contact: media@theyoungcenter.org  

Washington D.C.— Today, the SA Stands Coalition and members of the San Antonio community, including the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights San Antonio office's managing attorney Veronica Rodriguez, urged the Bexar County Commissioners Court to create a $2 million Immigrant Legal Defense Fund (ILDF) to provide legal representation to children and adults facing removal proceedings in the San Antonio area. Following their testimonies, the court voted 4-1 in favor of investing $1 million to the ILDF.  

Veronica Rodriguez, Managing Attorney for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights San Antonio office, said: 

"Working with children every day, I see firsthand the harm caused by a lack of legal representation. When children are released from detention, the majority appear in immigration court without an attorney to represent them, leaving them at greater risk of family separation and deportation. Studies have found that having an attorney was the single most important factor affecting an unaccompanied child’s case outcome. Without question, the investment of $1 million into the Bexar County Immigrant Legal Defense Fund will save lives and have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of those seeking safety in the U.S., but we must ensure this investment grows exponentially. 

With tens of thousands of children in the San Antonio area having at least one immigrant parent, providing access to legal services to all immigrants is inherently about keeping families together and ensuring children are not separated from a parent who may be at risk of deportation. Nationwide, immigrants in detention are up to 10.5 times more likely to achieve a positive outcome in their immigration case if they have a lawyer. We must continue to expand the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund to ensure legal representation is a right afforded to all, regardless of immigration status.” 

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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first. For press inquiries, please contact Anabel Mendoza at media@theyoungcenter.org