L.A. City Council Supports Access to Legal Counsel for Detained Individuals
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday in support of federal legislation that would ensure individuals being held or detained at a port of entry or at any immigration detention facility would be guaranteed access to legal counsel.
The Access to Counsel Act was introduced by California Sen. Kamala Harris and comes after President Donald Trump issued two executive orders halting or limiting immigration from some Muslim-majority countries. Both of the orders have been blocked by federal judges.
The resolution was approved with an 11-0 vote.
"As an immigrant, I'm appalled by the Trump administration's blatant disregard for the values Americans hold dear," Councilman David Ryu said. "Immigrants have been a part of the tapestry that has defined us for centuries. We are students, teachers, neighbors and friends, and we are six in 10 Main Street business owners in Los Angeles. Moreover, access to legal counsel is a fundamental right, and I couldn't be more proud to stand with leaders in Los Angeles and across the nation to resist this administration's threats against our most vulnerable residents."
With the vote, Los Angeles joins over 40 organizations, including Amnesty International USA, National Council of La Raza, Council on American- Islamic Relations, Bet Tzedek, Church World Services, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles in supporting the act.
"The right of access to counsel is critical for those who have been detained because their liberty and safety may be at stake," Harris said. "When the original Muslim ban went into effect, we heard countless stories of immigrants who were arriving and asking to have access to lawyers on the other side of the door, and were denied access -- that's why this bill is so vital. No one should be exploited because of their lack of knowledge of our legal system."