School lawyers can provide free legal help for some minors facing deportation, board decides
Unaccompanied minors facing possible deportation can get free legal help from staff lawyers with the Los Angeles Unified School District as a result of a school board vote Tuesday.
About 10 lawyers have expressed interest in providing pro bono help, report the Los Angeles Times and CBS Los Angeles. The board voted 6-1 to approve the program proposed by the general counsel’s office.
Any staff lawyer would be allowed to represent only one immigrant student at a time, working on the case an estimated one to three hours a week, on average. The lawyer would have to make up the time by working late or on weekends.
General counsel David Holmquist said any cost would be small because school district funding would be enhanced when students remain in the district, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Updated on Feb. 14 to correct typo.
