Harris County Approves About $1.3M for Deportation-Defense Services

(HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS) Harris County approved an additional $1,334,751 on October 16, 2025, to extend county-funded deportation defense for residents in immigration court, continuing a program first launched in 2020. The 4–1 vote by the Harris County Commissioners Court keeps the county’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund in place through contracts with five nonprofit legal providers.

County officials say the funding helps ensure due process for immigrants who cannot afford a lawyer. Critics argue local tax dollars should not pay for defense in federal removal cases.

New Contracts and Funding Breakdown

Under the new allocation, Harris County will contract with the following providers:

• BakerRipley — $300,000
• Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project — $243,687
• Justice for All Immigrants — $278,690
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Inc. — $278,687
• Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) — $243,687

The Harris County Housing & Community Development Department manages the contracts and oversees the program. Officials confirmed services are open to any immigrant or indigent county resident in removal proceedings, including those detained and those with criminal records, if they cannot afford counsel.

Program History and Recent Spending

• The program began in November 2020 with a $2,000,000 investment as Harris County’s first countywide deportation defense fund.
• In 2024, the county spent $2,071,676 across the Immigrant Legal Services Fund and related survivor services.
• In 2025, as of October, the county recorded $1,141,056 in spending before adding the new $1,334,751 allocation to carry services forward.

This new allocation fills a funding gap and keeps representation available into the next year.

Program Structure and Eligibility

County officials say the Immigrant Legal Services Fund is designed to deliver direct representation for those who cannot afford a lawyer, regardless of the strength of their case or past record.

Key points about eligibility and administration:

• Eligibility is not tied to the likelihood of winning a case; the goal is to give each person a fair hearing.
• Services include presenting evidence, requesting relief, or seeking bond where federal law allows.
• The Housing & Community Development Department coordinates grants and performance reports.
• Partner nonprofits take individual cases, appear in court, and file motions or applications as needed.

Provider focus areas:

• BakerRipley and Justice for All Immigrants — adults in general removal defense.
• Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project — detained representation in Houston immigration courts.
• KIND — children’s cases, including unaccompanied minors and youth in family units.
• RAICES — mix of detained and non-detained matters.

Together, they cover a range of needs — from bond hearings to appeals — expanding the county’s network of attorneys and accredited representatives.

Legal Context and Practical Impact

Immigration law is federal, but local governments can fund civil legal aid. Supporters say the county has an interest in fair and orderly court processes, especially when family unity, worker stability, and community ties are at stake.

Supporters’ arguments:

• The program reduces court delays because attorneys prepare filings correctly and keep cases on schedule.
• It upholds due process rights when a person faces deportation, which can separate families or return people to danger.
• It aligns with a growing “universal representation” model used by several cities and counties.

Opponents’ arguments:

• Local tax dollars should instead fund county priorities like roads, law enforcement, or flood control.
• Some state lawmakers argue against using local funds to represent undocumented immigrants in federal court.

Legislative context:

• State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione introduced House Bill 1554 in 2025 to bar local spending on such services. The bill passed committee but did not reach a House floor vote.
• If a statewide ban resurfaces and passes, counties could be forced to end county-funded deportation defense.

The 4–1 vote indicates strong support on the Commissioners Court, but not unanimity.

What “Deportation Defense” Typically Involves

Casework may include:

• Bond requests and hearings
• Applications for relief (e.g., asylum, cancellation of removal)
• Appeals to higher immigration bodies

Common forms and where to find them:

• Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal): https://www.uscis.gov/i-589
• Form EOIR-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative Before the Immigration Court): https://www.justice.gov/eoir/form-eoir-28
• Form EOIR-33 (Change of Address/Contact Information): https://www.justice.gov/eoir/form-eoir-33-eoir-immigration-court-listing
• Form EOIR-26 (Notice of Appeal from a Decision of an Immigration Judge): https://www.justice.gov/eoir/form-eoir-26

For lists of representatives and pro bono services, consult the Executive Office for Immigration Review: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers

Important: Filing the correct form with the appropriate agency and on time can protect a person’s case from dismissal or loss of appeal rights.

Real-World Examples of Impact

• A detained, non-English-speaking father may need quick help to file a bond motion and request a hearing.
• A teenager fleeing violence might need help filing Form I-589 within the one-year deadline and gathering country-conditions evidence.
• A long-time resident with U.S. citizen children may pursue cancellation of removal, which requires strong proof of exceptional hardship to qualifying relatives.

Without counsel, steps are confusing and easy to mishandle. With counsel, clients can meet deadlines, submit correct forms, and prepare for court.

Program Administration and Metrics

County contracts reflect needs across case stages. Providers and county managers:

• Track the number of cases opened
• Record hearings attended
• Monitor case outcomes to measure service delivery

This tracking helps manage capacity and evaluate the program’s effectiveness during the grant period.

Broader Landscape and Future Outlook

Harris County is aligned with other Texas localities—Bexar County, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas—that fund similar programs. This is part of a national trend toward local support for immigration defense.

• Supporters frame the issue as one of fairness: a person’s fate should not depend on whether they can pay a lawyer.
• Opponents frame it as a spending choice that intrudes on federal territory.

For now, the county’s vote keeps representation flowing while the Legislature considers potential restrictions.

Guidance for Residents Seeking Help

• Check with partner nonprofits funded under the program to see if they have capacity.
• Review the DOJ’s pro bono list: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
• Use official forms and instructions when filing (see links above).
• Timely filings like Form EOIR-33 (after a move) or Form EOIR-26 (after an adverse decision) can protect rights.

The Commissioners Court’s decision reinforces a policy dating back to 2020: county dollars will continue to back immigration counsel for those who cannot afford it. With the new $1,334,751 allocation, the Immigrant Legal Services Fund will pay providers to take new cases and maintain current ones into next year — an investment supporters say aims to keep families stable and cases orderly in a complex court system. Whether state lawmakers act to curb local immigration spending will help determine how long counties can maintain such funds without interruption.