Hartford City Councilwoman Tiana Hercules and Hartford City Councilman Josh Michtom have announced that the City of Hartford, in collaboration with the Connecticut Coalition for Immigrant Freedom (CCIF), will be launching a Universal Representation program to ensure legal representation for Hartford residents in emergency deportation proceedings. The Coalition, which started as a pilot program for New Haven immigrants and detained immigrants from across Connecticut, is made up of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) and New Haven Legal Assistance Association (NHLAA), with support from the Yale Law Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic (WIRAC).
Following advocacy from then-Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermúdez and Councilman Michtom during budget deliberations for fiscal year 2021, as well as support from the City’s Chief Operating Officer, Thea Montanez, CCIF will receive City of Hartford funds to provide legal representation and social services to Hartford residents in emergency deportation proceedings, including those detained by ICE. The program is live now, with specific eligibility criteria due to limited funding:
- Hartford resident has no legal representation and is currently in ICE detention
- Hartford resident has no legal representation and is currently in removal proceedings
Immigrant families who fit the program criteria can call (203) 388-1719 or e-mail CCIF@nhlegal.org to apply for free legal representation during their emergency deportation cases.
“Hartford is taking a big step here in standing up for immigrant families, and it is one that we should all be proud of as a community” said Councilman Josh Michtom, “Our immigration system, regardless of who is in office, has proven itself to be corrupt, unjust, and cruel to immigrant families, and we need our cities to take a stand and say to our immigrant residents ‘you are not alone, we have your back.’ We know that detainees are 10 times more likely to win their deportation case if they are represented by an attorney, so we see this as a pivotal resource that we as a city can try to guarantee for our residents.”
“Municipal support is vital for this work. We are grateful to the City of Hartford, former Councilwoman Bermudez and Councilmembers Hercules and Michtom for their support of legal and social services for immigrants facing the threat of deportation. Our partnership with IRIS, WIRAC, and the City of Hartford demonstrate what a true community collaboration can be. We hope other municipalities soon follow Hartford’s example, ultimately leading us to statewide universal representation in removal proceedings.” Alexis Smith, Executive Director, New Haven Legal Assistance Association.
The program, which is available now to any immigrant families who fit the outlined criteria, is an extension of the “Families Facing Deportation Fund” first launched by the city in 2020. The effects of the investment have already started making a tremendous difference in the lives of Hartford residents.
“Now with the way that the virus situation is, and with my two daughters, it has been a great relief to have free legal representation. I now feel much less anxious and nervous without having to find a way to make monthly payments for an attorney, or having to meet with attorneys that would not accept my case.” Said Aurencia Arreaga Ramirez, a Hartford resident and Hartford Deportation Defense member who has been able to access quality pro-bono representation through the CCIF program.
More information about the program can be found on the Councilmembers’ community engagement website: JoshandTiana.com.
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