The state of Colorado is using taxpayer money to provide free legal assistance to immigrants in order to increase the number of asylum seekers settling in the state, despite claims of budget strain due to President Joe Biden’s border crisis. This effort is part of the state-funded Immigration Legal Defense Fund, which has seen an increase in funding to $700,000 through early 2025. The program aims to help immigrants gain legal status and has already doubled the share of immigrants winning asylum in Colorado.
While the program is meant to provide legal assistance to immigrants, it does not guarantee free representation to all immigrants due to citizenship requirements for legal representation. Many immigrants in Colorado still lack legal representation due to a shortage of immigration lawyers in the state. Despite efforts to increase legal aid to immigrants, the state is simultaneously busing migrants out of Colorado and providing additional funds for relocation.
In summary, the state of Colorado is using tax dollars to fund free legal assistance for immigrants, with the goal of increasing the number of asylum seekers settling in the state. This initiative has faced criticism for potentially straining the state’s budget amidst the ongoing border crisis.
