Kelly, Rosen, Colleagues Urge DOJ to Fully Staff Essential Immigration Program

U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and a group of their Senate colleagues demanded Attorney General Todd Blanche restore full functionality of an essential immigration program that gives access to legal support for migrants who would otherwise not have access to it. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) program authorizes qualified non-attorney individuals who work or volunteer at nonprofit organizations to provide legal support to immigrants. However, due to severe staff cuts by the Trump administration, there are currently only two employees left in the program, neither of whom has authority to approve or deny new applications, limiting the number of qualified non-attorneys who may provide legal assistance to immigrants.

"According to the DOJ website, the R&A program 'aims to increase the availability of competent immigration legal representation for low-income and indigent persons, thereby promoting the effective and efficient administration of justice'," wrote the senators. "Unfortunately, the DOJ's own actions have undercut the stated intent of this program, with CBS News reporting earlier this year that the DOJ reassigned lawyers who were responsible for renewing and approving applications, leaving the program with only two employees, neither of whom have the authority to approve or deny new applications."

"By training and accrediting individuals who are not attorneys, the R&A program helps reduce swelling court backlogs and allows immigrants to gain access to quality legal assistance for their asylum," the senators continued. "We urge you to undo the Department's harmful staffing cuts and reassignments and either reinstate or train the necessary staff to restore the program's ability to process both new and renewal applications for individuals and nonprofit organizations in a timely manner."

This letter builds on Kelly's efforts to fix the broken U.S. immigration system and support the communities it affects. Kelly has previously blasted the administration on its treatment of immigrants and has called for an immigration system that enforces the law without tearing families apart. This year, he introduced the bipartisan State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act to give states more flexibility and say on welcoming immigrants into their communities to help address workforce shortages.

In addition to Kelly and Rosen, the letter was signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Angus King (I-ME), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

Click here to read the full letter.