Right to Counsel Task Force

Purpose

The Right to Counsel Task Force (RCTF) is meant to investigate the implementation of universal representation for covered individuals in immigration removal proceeding and provide recommendations for how to fully provide legal representation for covered individuals facing covered proceedings.

Board/Commission/Task Force Requirements

Training Requirements

https://OneNet.Illinois.gov/MyTraining , enter username and password to log in.

Please visit the link above to view the training requirements for this Board/Commission/Committee/Task Force.

Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and the Open Meetings Act

State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/)

Statue

Governing Statute -PA 102-827

Meetings

First Meeting - January 24, 2023 -Agenda and WebEx Link-

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=6ac45bd8ebaa94a65d6f2f2b96b393ff

Agenda for RCTF Meeting Tuesday, Jan 24 at 3:00 -4:00

  • Introduction
  • Administrative Updates and Public Participation
  • Overview of the work to be done by the Task Force and timetable
    • a) Estimates of target population (need to define eligible population)
    • b) Assessment of current capacity
    • c) Models from other communities
  • Resource and expertise needed (staffing, GCI, national and local resources)
  • Tentative meeting dates for 2023

Second Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - March 14, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=f721962a84885698d54dcdf957ef86b3

Agenda:

  • Roll Call
  • Approval of minutes
  • Public Participation
  • Review Task Force Work Plan- Ruth Lopez-McCarthy
  • Estimated number of covered individuals - Rob Paral
  • What we know about the current infrastructure for legal service for immigrants
  • Close

Working Group Meeting: 4/11/23

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=7399e1780d415fc289fc8dc8bbbabc8b

Agenda for Cost Discussion

  • 1. Service models to consider that affect cost (Charlotte thought this topic should come first)
    • a. Non-profit, public defenders, private, public/private
  • 2. Funding commitment
    • a. For many cases, there is initial work in year one and then the bulk of work is in year five; need extended commitment
  • 3. Cost considerations
    • a. Difference in cost during a ramp-up phase vs. once a program is established
    • b. Costs for cases with criminal charge vs. none
    • c. Ability to scale up quickly or not
  • 4. Unaccompanied minors
    • a. Harder to serve
    • b. ORR may issue NOFO
  • 5. Cost per case
    • a. Can we come up with a cost amount per case as a placeholder?

Third Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - May 11, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=8bf74a316b02ba5e0c1818ab84059903

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of minutes
  • Summary of April 11 workgroup meeting
  • Presentations by
    • Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (Guadalupe Perez)
    • Vera Institute (Liz Kenney)
  • Vera conference report (Ruth Lopez-McCarthy)
  • Mexican Consulate program (Rob Paral and Ngoan Le)
  • Cost estimates discussion (Rob Paral)
    • Sources of information for draft estimates. Assumptions.
    • Screening for viability
  • Next scheduled meeting July 14
    • Schedule Workgroup meeting? Topic?
    • Possible: bonds
    • Possible: other costs (state courts, translation, social services, USCIS hearings)

Fourth Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - July 14, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=e2ad7677cacc75ae2684f39b8e5f0f1d

Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting 4

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Call to order
  • Approval of minutes
  • Speaker- Eric Lopez, Esq. | Senior Attorney at CAIR COALITION
  • Review and Approve Interim Task Force report
  • Status and priorities of the Task Force
  • Calendar, tentative
    • Next meeting mid September
    • November final draft
    • Conclude in December

Fifth Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - August 25th, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=aff3abbdb40ccef714434f38dbf62ce2

  • Welcome and Introductions-
  • Call to order
  • Approval of minutes
  • Walk-Through of Major Findings in Task Force
    • The Table of Contents
    • Covered Individuals
    • Location of cases
    • Estimates of Persons in Covered Proceedings 
    • Bond Payment Support 
    • Domiciliaries and region of residence
    • Household income
    • Rates of Representation
  • Next Steps

Sixth Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - September 29, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=43caabc6341e10d46fbee042ebbecd56

  • Welcome and roll call
  • Review of minutes of previous meetings
  • News and updates
  • Cost estimate
  • Review plan to complete final report by December 31
  • Next steps

 Seventh Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - Oct 25, 2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=fa4eb6d75d9d4b93b7af689130bc2566

  • Welcome
  • Approval of Meeting Minutes
  • Draft Report
    • Major points
    • Number of cases in immigration court
    • Per case costs
    • Attorney costs
    • Support Costs
    • Total cost estimate
  • "Statement on Key Issues" section
  • Next steps

Eighth Meeting Agenda for Right to Counsel Task Force Meeting - Dec 5th  2023 9:30-11:00

Recording link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/ldr.php?RCID=9009d4e285b73d681906660fbc420abc

  • Welcome
  • Review of minutes
  • Vera Institute Report
  • Review of 11-15-2023 Draft Report
  • Minor edits
    • Bond costs
    • Covered Individuals
  • Next Steps
  • Timeframe discussion

Meeting Archives

Members

Member Name Organization/Affiliation Who Appoints
Albiol, Sioban DePaul University Speaker of the House of Representatives, or his or or her designee
Alvarez, Charlotte The Immigration Project Secretary of Human Services, or his or her designee
Campos, Gloria Minority Leader of the Senate, or his or her designee
Lombardi, Jane The Resurrection Project President of the Senate, or his or her designee;
Loyo, Ruben National Immigrant Justice Center Governor, or his or her designee
Muse, Kathy Hunt Illinois Attorney General Attorney General, or his or her designee
Vacant Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, or his or her designee

DHS Administrative Support

Task Force Administrative Contact: Ruth Lopez-McCarthy - Ruth.Lopez-McCarthy@Illinois.gov