Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Legal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Immigrant‑defense groups seek $1.8 million for PIFUP and recommend moving program to Defender Association
Summary
The Vera Institute and immigration legal service providers urged council to fund the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project (PIFUP) at $1.8 million for FY 2026 and to transition program administration to the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
The Vera Institute of Justice and immigrant legal services providers urged Philadelphia City Council to fund the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project (PIFUP) at $1,800,000 for FY 2026 and to transition program administration to the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
Fabiola Davila of the Vera Institute said PIFUP provides legal representation to detained immigrants and that representation markedly improves outcomes: "The city must increase PIFUP's funding to ensure that Philadelphians who face detention and deportation have a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves and remain at home with their families," she said. Davila told council that the Defender Association could create a sustainable immigration unit with the requested funding and that other large public defender models have successfully housed similar programs.
Christopher Seth Kelly of HIAS Pennsylvania also testified in support of adding $1.8 million to the FY 2026 budget for PIFUP and endorsed the transition of program administration to the Defender Association, saying the change would increase sustainability and mirror models in other large jurisdictions.
Witnesses said increased funding would expand staff capacity, reduce detention time, improve bond results and keep families together; no final council vote on the request occurred at the hearing.
