Jayapal, Nadler, Barragán Call for Robust Funding of Pilot Program to Assist Immigrants in Legal Proceedings

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), and Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) and 33 members of Congress sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young supporting robust funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Case Management Pilot Program (CMPP). The letter also asks OMB to instruct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize establishing the program and ensure that the expansion of CMPP does not result in an expansion of individuals subject to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surveillance through detention and electronic surveillance.

“Secretary Mayorkas was right when he said we overuse immigration detention,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Studies consistently show that most people are best equipped to successfully complete their removal proceedings when they have full access to the support of their families and communities and legal representation. Cost-effective, humane options like CMPP are crucial to reduce our reliance on for-profit detention facilities.”

“As the Biden administration continues to craft its FY 2024 budget request, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in urging a substantial investment in a fair and equitable Case Management Pilot Program.   The Family Case Management Program is a success story for our government, as it costs significantly less than detention, yet the compliance rates are extremely high.  I am confident that with significant funding, this program can continue to be an effective means of managing migrants with pending immigration court cases in an efficient and humane manner,” said Rep. Nadler.

“Those seeking asylum at our southwest border are often asked to navigate an ever-changing system that requires multiple agencies, while also adapting to unfamiliar circumstances,” said Rep. Barragán. “The Case Management Pilot Program provides them with access to critical information and support to navigate these challenges that they may not otherwise have. It is critical that DHS prioritize this program and that the necessary funds are provided for this program to succeed.” 

Case management programs have proven highly effective to ensure that individuals can navigate immigration proceedings and comply with the process while reducing reliance on immigration detention. Case management is also more cost effective and humane compared to immigration detention.

The Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bill included $20 million for CMPP, which can now be used to prioritize establishment and implementation of the program, while also ensuring that expansion of CMPP does not result in an expansion of individuals subject to ICE surveillance. The lawmakers are calling for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to continue this program with funding equally as robust. 

The full text of the letter can be found here. 

The letter was signed by Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), James P.  McGovern (MA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam B. Schiff (CA-30), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

The letter was endorsed by the American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Church World Service, Freedom for Immigrants (FFI), National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Law Center, OneAmerica, and Women’s Refugee Commission.

Issues: Immigration