Trump administration dismantles aid program for low-income immigrants, according to CBS

Los Ángeles.- The government of President Donald Trump has dismantled a long-standing Department of Justice program that helps low-income immigrants have competent and affordable legal representation in immigration matters, according to CBS News. The Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program, which has been operating for over 60 years, accredits non-attorney workers from legal defense organizations to assist immigrants with most immigration procedures. The goal of the initiative is to increase the availability of “competent” legal representation in immigration matters for low-income and indigent individuals, thereby promoting an effective and efficient administration of justice, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. However, multiple sources related to the subject told the television station that the lawyers assigned to the program were transferred last week to the Immigration courts, leaving only two support staff who do not have the authority to grant accreditations.

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Under this initiative, which is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), some 2,600 advocates from community organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services, have been accredited to advise low-income foreigners who have pending procedures with immigration authorities. A government official Trump denied to the television station that the program was going to be abolished, since it is an initiative established by regulation. The Trump administration has already adopted several measures that make it more difficult or further restrict immigrants from advancing within the legal immigration system.