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Please attribute this statement to Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California:
The ACLU of Southern California applauds efforts by Governor Jerry Brown and some state legislators to set aside $3 million to help secure legal assistance for migrant children forced to go it alone in immigration court. The bill is not only the decent thing to do but it is also consistent with our values as a Americans. We are a nation that has long offered shelter to those refugees fleeing violence and persecution. As Californians we are proud to see our state do the right thing. Now it is time for the federal government to step up and do the right thing by providing these children legal representation in immigration court.
For media inquiries contact: Sandra Hernandez shernandez@aclusocal.org, 213.977.5252