Democrats on the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to approve more than $1 million in funding for nonprofits participating in the county’s Immigrant Legal Services Program—a taxpayer-funded initiative that provides deportation defense services to individuals facing removal from the United States.
With Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey dissenting, the 4–1 vote allocates $1,344,751 to five organizations: BakerRipley, the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Justice for All Immigrants, KIND Inc., and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services.
The Immigrant Legal Services Program was launched in 2020 under Democrat County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who at the time said the effort was meant to provide legal representation to families in deportation proceedings. “When you have a family at a deportation hearing and they don’t have an attorney, they’re deported at a much higher rate, like 90 percent of the time, compared to like 5 percent of the time when they do have an attorney,” Hidalgo said.
To qualify, families must live in Harris County, be facing deportation, and earn below 80 percent of the area’s median family income.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis defended the program, framing it as a matter of justice and equity.
“As ICE raids ramp up and federal attacks target communities of color, it’s essential for Harris County to do everything we can to protect our residents, no matter their immigration status,” Ellis stated. “Having access to legal representation not only improves case outcomes but helps keep families together. In a county as diverse as ours, local government must step up to safeguard safety, justice, and the people we serve.”
