IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

Local San Antonio Partners Celebrate Immigrant Legal Defense Fund Victory in Bexar County

Updated 12/23/24

SA Stands and local partners are celebrating the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund (ILDF) officially going live this past summer. After successful coalition organizing for Bexar County Commissioners Court’s initial approval of $1 million for an ILDF in July 2022, and approval of contracts for immigration nonprofits American Gateways and RAICES in May 2024, these legal service providers are now providing representation under the program. These local efforts to create the ILDF have demonstrated our community’s commitment to much-needed protections for individuals and families who are facing deportation.

The implementation of the ILDF is a positive step to helping protect our communities but more legal support is needed. Texas has roughly 940,000 residents who are part of mixed-status families. Many members of these families are without permanent legal status, and are therefore at risk of deportation. 

Shockingly, in immigration proceedings a person can be deprived of their freedom and be deported without an attorney. This means many individuals are forced to navigate complicated immigration proceedings alone. In fact, only 15 percent of Bexar County residents who are facing deportation have legal representation, decreasing their chances of successfully presenting their case. When our community members are deported, we all suffer and the emotional and economic toll has lasting effects. SA Stands and partners will continue to advocate for the ILDF’s renewal and expansion, as well as ensuring the fund remains open to all, regardless of case details or criminal history.

The ILDF pays legal service providers to represent individuals actively facing deportation in immigration court. While people without immigration status are in the most danger of being placed in deportation proceedings, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen is also at risk if their status lapses or they have specific interactions with the criminal legal system. 

SA Stands’ campaign successfully paved the way for the ILDF program to formally launch and begin serving individuals to help protect their due process rights. However, sustained community support will be needed to grow the ILDF from a pilot program, into a robust network that can help more immigrants and their families remain safely in Bexar County.

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If you or a family member are in removal proceedings or at risk of being placed in removal proceedings and would like to apply for services under the ILDF, please contact

American Gateways at (737) 402-8131 or

RAICES at 1-833-372-4237

Previous updates:

In July 2022, after more than a year of campaigning, the SA Stands immigration coalition won a $1 million legal defense fund. When implemented, this county-wide legal defense fund will protect due process rights for Bexar County residents facing deportation and it will provide more free legal representation for those in need. SA Stands is currently working with county leaders and the appropriate departments to implement this much needed program for early 2023.

Read more about this victory here.

To learn more download our resources in English, Spanish, French below!

FONDO DE DEFENSA LEGAL PARA INMIGRANTES

¡Victoria, ganamos un fondo de defensa legal de $1 millón de dólares!

En julio del 2022, después de más de un año de campaña, la coalición de inmigración SA Stands gano un fondo de defensa legal para inmigrantes de $1 millón de dólares para el Condado de Bexar. Cuando este este fondo se implemente, va a proteger los derechos constitucionales de los que viven aquí en el Condado Bexar y que enfrentan un proceso de deportación, el fondo proveerá representación legal para aquellos que lo necesiten. Nuestra coalición de SA Stands esta trabajando con los lideres del condado y los departamentos correspondientes para implementar este programa a principios del 2023.

Para aprender mas sobre el fondo de defensa legal, descargue los recursos abajo.

Resources/ Recursos