County Increases Spending to Assist Residents Facing Deportation

Montgomery County Council agreed to increase the amount of money it allocates for screening and legal services to low-income county residents undergoing immigration deportation or removal proceedings.

On Dec. 15, councilmembers adopted a resolution to enter into a new contract with FIRN of Columbia for $77,932.39 and to increase the amount on an existing contract with HIAS of Silver Spring from the current $106,090 to $191,646. These contracts are part of the county’s Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget from the Department of health and Human Services.

The county also allocates funds to help those facing deportation to Ayuda and KIND — Kids in Need of Defense.

According to its website, FIRN is accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services. According to its website, HIAS works throughout the world to protect refugees. According to county officials, requests for assistance from HIAS “has outweighed capacity to serve Montgomery County residents.”

These contracts were awarded without competition following the recommendation of Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno.

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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