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Marin County Office of Education wins $250,000 county grant to fund immigration legal services for school families
Summary
The Marin County Office of Education received $250,000 from the Marin County Board of Supervisors to fund a full‑time immigration lawyer who will provide pro bono legal representation to families connected to Marin County schools. The grant began Jan. 1 and runs through December.
The Marin County Office of Education announced it received a county grant that will fund a full‑time immigration attorney to support families connected to local schools.
"The Marin County Office of Education has received a grant from the board of supervisors, Marin County Board of Supervisors supporting 25 families with legal counsel around immigration," Superintendent Carroll said, and then handed the presentation to Dr. Mason Miller. Dr. Miller told the board the county award was made in partnership with Immigration Legal Defense (ILD). "That grant has funded 1 full time lawyer, to be with our families primarily in San Rafael City Schools, Navarro School District, and has supported Lawrence Community School," Dr. Miller said.
Dr. Miller said the grant began Jan. 1 and funds the position through the end of December. He told trustees the Board of Supervisors set aside $500,000 for immigration supports across Marin and the county office was awarded $250,000 of that pool to contract with ILD. "The board of supervisors had set aside $500,000 out of their budget for supports and services to, in Moraine County all for immigration support. And this grant that we were awarded was 250,000 of that $500,000," he said.
Trustees asked whether other local providers—Legal Aid of Marin, Canal Alliance or public‑defender staff—could fill the need. Dr. Miller said those organizations provide important services but not always with an attorney assigned to each family; as of last June he said Marin had about four lawyers who specialized in immigration legal services. He added the funded attorney will represent immediate family members of enrolled students and that the lawyer has so far supported about 28 families connected to county schools.
Board members did not take separate action to accept the funds during the presentation; the item was presented as part of the superintendent's report. The board discussion included a request to confirm eligibility rules and outreach so families know how to connect with the service.
