Statement from President Debra L. Raskin in Support of the Fair Day In Court for Kids Act of 2016

SUMMARY 

The Immigration and Nationality Law Committee (Farrin Anello, Chair) issued a statement in support of the federal Fair Day in Court for Kids Act (S.2540/H.R. 4646), which would provide appointed legal counsel for unaccompanied immigrant children and vulnerable adults in federal immigration court removal proceedings. The City Bar has long supported a right to legal representation in such proceedings. Requiring children or adults to defend themselves without counsel in adversarial proceedings that can lead to permanent separation from family and livelihood – and often to persecution, abuse, or torture – is fundamentally unfair and violates basic American values.