Dane County has been chosen as one of 12 jurisdictions to be part of a Vera Institute of Justice national initiative called the Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Cities Network, a partnership to provide legal representation to immigrants facing deportation hearings.
In conjunction, the Vera Institute will award $100,000 to two area legal service providers: Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School and Community Immigration Law Center.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi says the partnership is justified because too many immigrant families are living in fear and may not have the resources needed to obtain citizenship or navigate various legal processes. Earlier this year, Parisi proposed and the Dane County Board authorized the spending of county resources for the creation of an Immigration Assistance Fund. Area residents can donate to the fund at: madisongives.org/immigrantassistance.
The Vera Institute also is providing the Dane County Immigration Coalition and independent legal service providers with technical assistance and support, including information on best legal practices.
