Who is Impacted?

Thousands of Dallas residents—our neighbors, coworkers, and community members—are forced to navigate complex immigration court proceedings without legal representation. Unlike in criminal court, where individuals are guaranteed the right to a public defender, immigrants facing deportation have no such legal protection. This means that the majority of people in immigration court must defend themselves against trained government attorneys—alone.

The consequences are devastating. Families are separated, children experience lasting trauma, and hardworking community members are forced out of the city they call home. Many U.S. citizens in Texas have a family member at risk of deportation, with 12% of Texas residents born to at least one immigrant parent. The harm extends beyond the courtroom—children with detained or deported family members are at a significantly higher risk of mental health struggles, PTSD, and economic instability.

What is at Stake?

Without legal representation, deportation is nearly inevitable.
The numbers are clear: in 2023, immigrants with legal representation were more than twice as likely to win their cases than those without a lawyer. Yet, over 80% of pending immigration cases in Texas lack legal representation.This crisis doesn’t just impact those directly facing deportation—it disrupts our entire community.

⚠️ If we do nothing:
❌ Families will continue to be separated.
❌ Businesses will lose essential workers, weakening Dallas’s economy.
❌ Our city will fall behind others like New York, Denver, and San Antonio, which have already established successful legal defense funds.

⚡ If we act now:
✅ Immigrant families in Dallas will receive fair and just legal representation.
✅ Community members will have a real chance to remain safely in the U.S. with their families.
✅ Dallas will become a leader in due process and justice, ensuring fairness for all residents.

Why is Now the Time to Act?

⏳ Every day that passes without action, more Dallas residents are detained and forced to fight deportation alone.The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated. Immigration courts are overwhelmed with nearly half a million pending cases in Texas alone, and without immediate legal intervention, thousands will be denied the opportunity to present a fair case for their right to stay.

The Dallas Immigrant Defense Fund would provide free and accessible legal services for residents facing deportation—ensuring that no one loses their home, job, or family simply because they cannot afford a lawyer. Other Texas counties, such as Harris County and Bexar County, have already launched successful legal defense funds, demonstrating that this model works and should be expanded.

📢 We call on the Dallas City Council to take immediate action by allocating funding for the Dallas Immigrant Defense Fund. Ensuring fairness in our legal system is not a privilege—it’s a necessity.

✍️ Sign this petition and demand that Dallas stands up for justice and due process for all!