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%AMR; aJusnCC cunu for unzversai represemanon- orange a:ounty 1ceglster Nage 4 ot'S <br />Providing universal representation ultimately can save the government <br />significant money. A study in New York concluded that a publicly funded <br />representation system for all indigent detained New Yorkers in removal <br />proceedings would ultimately save money for the state. When the familys <br />wage earner is detained, the family may no longer be able to pay for food or <br />shelter or medical care. Children, including U.S. citizen children, race serious <br />harms when a parent is detained or deported. Eighty-nine percent of Santa <br />Ana children — and 59 percent of Orange County children — have at least <br />one Immigrant parent. <br />The solution is to provide universal representation, starting with detained <br />Immigrants. Late last month, the Santa Ana City Council directed its staff and <br />the City Attorney's Office to work with other stakeholders to launch a <br />universal representation pilot program for immigrants facing deportation. <br />With seed funding for an OC justice Fund from Santa Ana, proponents hope <br />to raise additional funds from other public entities, foundations, bar <br />associations, and private donors, The UC Irvine Immigrant Rights Clinic and <br />Western State College of Law Immigration Clinic will be available to offer <br />mentorship and guidance to the attorneys providing deportation defense. <br />Such a pilot program for universal representation then can grow into a more <br />permanent effort to ensure that all who face deportation have legal <br />representation, Cities across the country are embarking on universal <br />representation and Orange County should be a leader in this regard. <br />Some object to the government providing money to represent those who are <br />alleged to be undocumented. But every person -- citizen and non -citizen, <br />documented and undocumented — deserves fair and just proceedings when <br />facing something as serious as deportation. The government never should be <br />able to deport a person just because he or she was unable to afford a lawyer. <br />fiwln Chemerinskyis dean of the UClrvrne School ofLaw.. <br />EMMUTIMM33= <br />n Erwin Chemerins4 <br />Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the UC Irvine School of Law. <br />http:1'lwww.ocregister.com/2017/O3/l6/Create- Acai%for-universal-representation/ 6/4/2017 <br />