Advocates urged Bexar County Commissioners Court to restore funding for a migrant legal defense program during a public meeting this week in San Antonio, following the expiration of the fund in February.
The funding lapse came after Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit challenging the county’s authority to allocate public funds for legal services for migrants. The litigation ended after the county had already spent the allocated funds.
The county previously provided about $1 million to American Gateways to deliver legal assistance to migrants facing deportation proceedings.
Amanda Thomas of ACT 4 SA called on commissioners to reinstate the funding. She said the program had expired and that its absence affects migrant families.
Priscilla Olivares of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center also addressed commissioners, citing data on immigration enforcement in the area and urging action on the issue.
Advocates said the fund has remained unfunded since February and that many migrants lack legal representation during deportation hearings. Olivares said a majority of migrants appear in court without legal counsel.
County officials have not announced whether they will restore funding for the program following the legal challenge.
