Speech #1020157751

I rise to offer my opposition to the amendment. Mr. Chairman. appropriations riders currently prohibit using Legal Services Corporation dollars to provide legal representation for indigent refugees and other aliens. However. an amendment I authored that was adopted by the Judiciary Committee. will continue the current practice of allowing private funds to be used for representation of these individuals. This provision ensures that many needy people will be provided quality legal representation. while protecting the freedom of local United Ways. foundations. and other private funding sources to decide how funds are to be used. These immigrant and refugee clients have presented some of the most desperate and heartwrenching cases seen by Legal Services attorneys. In Minnesota. for example. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services has received $50.000 from a consortium of eight foundations and corporations to provide civil legal services to Cambodian families who have settled in our State. Approximately onehalf of these cases involve representation of Cambodian families currently living in refugee camps in Thailand who seek to reunite with Cambodians living in Minnesota. There is strong support in the State of Minnesota for legal assistance to these refugees. This is demonstrated by the broad base of financial support from foundations. corporations. churches. private agencies such as Catholic Charities and United Ways. State and local governments. as well as the Minnesota State Bar Association. While I recognize that fiscal realities require us to prioritize the use of Federal Legal Services dollars. we should not turn down refugees who desperately need representation when private groups are willing to provide funding to represent these individuals. As now drafted. H.R. 2039 will ensure that many needy people who are ineligible for Legal Services Corporation funds will be provided quality legal representation through the generosity of local United Ways. foundations. and other private funding sources.