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Commissioners OK amendment to immigrant-legal defense contract after debate on scope
Summary
The court approved an amendment to the American Gateways contract for immigrant legal defense, removing a prior "universal representation" provision to allow targeted screening (prioritizing cases with greatest community benefit, such as detained children and family-unity matters); the decision followed extended debate about whether taxpayer funds could underwrite defense for noncitizen violent offenders.
Bexar County approved an amendment to its contract with American Gateways to continue immigrant legal-defense services, a move that prompted an extended debate on the scope of representation and priorities for county-funded assistance.
County staff described the amendment as an administrative update that removes a previously included "universal representation" clause in order to allow the contractor to prioritize cases that produce…
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