WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorney General Jeff Sessions said today that the government will continue a program that offers legal assistance to immigrant detainees — and saves the government millions of dollars a year.
The National Immigration Forum noted that the program “is inexpensive, saves the federal government money, and provides invaluable assistance to those navigating the immigration court system” in an April 18 statement for the record tied to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
“A 2012 DOJ cost analysis showed that the program created a net to the federal government of about $18 million, shortening the length of immigration court cases and detention,” the statement notes.
The Justice Department announced April 10 that the program would be suspended. But Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials praised the program late last year, and an independent review recommended expanding it.
“The plan to suspend the Legal Orientation Program was misguided, and the reversal of that plan is welcome,” said Jacinta Ma, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Immigration Forum. “Shorter detention stays are good news for American taxpayers who foot the bill. This program is essential to immigrants who might not be aware of their legal options, and it helps overburdened immigration courts.”