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Oregon Lawmakers Debate Legal Aid to Immigrants as Public Defense Crisis Spirals

Legislators may appropriate $21 million to defend immigrants, as more than 5,500 criminal defendants await a court appointed attorney.
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Oregon Lawmakers Debate Legal Aid to Immigrants as Public Defense Crisis Spirals
In 2023, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed legislation that overhauled the state's public defender services. Above, then-candidate Kotek speaks with reporters at a rally in Portland on Nov. 8, 2022. Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images
Scottie Barnes
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Oregon lawmakers are considering two bills that would provide $21 million to provide free legal aid to noncitizens and illegal immigrants.

Senate Bill 703 would appropriate $6 million for nonprofits to help eligible immigrant families, such as those protected by DACA, to apply for legal status.
Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes
Freelance reporter
Scottie Barnes writes breaking news and investigative pieces for The Epoch Times from the Pacific Northwest. She has a background in researching the implications of public policy and emerging technologies on areas ranging from homeland security and national defense to forestry and urban planning.