Blumenthal Statement on Trump Administration Suspension of Legal Services Program for Immigrants and Asylum Seekers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement following reports that the Trump Administration is temporarily halting the Legal Orientation Program, which educates detained immigrants about their rights and the immigration court process so that they can make informed decisions about their legal cases:

“Suspending the legal orientation program is a stark admission of this Administration’s disbelief in due process. Immigration courts already make life and death decisions for individuals – including young children – who lack the basic right to an attorney. Now, the Trump White House wants to take away the limited legal access these vulnerable people do receive, making our immigration and asylum systems more likely to violate fundamental human rights. It is not an exaggeration to say that this policy – which will make it more likely vulnerable asylees are sent back to countries where they face violence – will have fatal consequences. The federal government should be working to make our immigration system more fair and accurate, not less.”

In March, Blumenthal joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) in introducing the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act to provide unaccompanied children with access to legal representation when they appear in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. More information is available here.