ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--MORE SUPPORT SURROUNDS LEGISLATION IN ALBANY TO guarantee IMMIGRANTS FACING DEPORTATION THE RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNSEL.  

THE ‘ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION ACT’ RECENTLY GAINED SUPPORT FROM THE ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL—WHO VOTED ON A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE legislation.  

SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THIS LEGISLATION WILL GO A LONG WAY TO COMBAT THE MIGRANT CRISIS AND HELP ASYLUM SEEKERS AT A TIME WHEN CONGRESS CONTINUES TO BE PARALYZED IN DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.  

“Having that access to legal representation is so important not just for the asylum seeker, so that the courts can decide whether they have a legal right to remain in the country. First and foremost, if they can get temporary status, they would be allowed to work,” said Assembly Member Patricia Fahy (D-Assembly District 109). 

WHILE MANY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO push back ON SPENDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE MIGRANT CRISIS, FAHY ARGUEd IF ASYLUM SEEKERS CAN WORK AND PAY TAXES WHILE THEIR CASES ARE BEING PROCESSED, THE STATE WOULDN’T HAVE TO ALLOCATE SO MANY RESOURCES TO SERVING THE MIGRANTS.  

“If they were at least self-sufficient while those cases are pending it would make all the difference and that’s what I think is missing in some of this debate,” she said. 

DETAINED IMMIGRANTS WITH LEGAL representation ARE TEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO WIN THEIR IMMIGRATION CASES COMPARED TO THOSE WHO LACK LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCORDING TO A 2022 REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION.

SOME ADVOCATES SAid WITH MORE THAN 300,000 IMMIGRATION CASES IN THE STATE, THIS LEGISLATION COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS.  

“Passing the Access to Representation Act and investing in legal services would really be a huge help in guaranteeing that people can stay in the country, they have a fighting chance, and they can contribute to both our economy and our culture,” said said Marlene Galaz, director of immigrant rights policy with the New York Immigration Coalition.