Urging The United States Congress To Provide Adequate Funding For Immigration Services And Requesting Data On The Effect Of Case Backlogs And The Lack Of Free Or Low-cost Legal Representation On Immigration Cases Filed In Hawaii.
Impact
The resolution emphasizes the urgent need for additional funding to support the processing of immigration cases within the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and highlights the urgent need for more legal service providers in Hawaii. Currently, the state faces a shortage of legal aid for low-income immigrants, which contributes to a disproportionately high denial rate of asylum applications for those without legal representation. The lack of free or affordable legal assistance not only impacts individual cases but also undermines the fairness of the immigration system as a whole.
Summary
House Resolution 184 urges the United States Congress to provide adequate funding for immigration services and requests data on the effects of case backlogs and the lack of free or low-cost legal representation on immigration cases filed in Hawaii. The resolution highlights the detrimental impacts of long processing times on vulnerable immigrants, including separation from families and inability to work. It notes that significant delays, exacerbated by the pandemic and other factors, have led to a backlog of over nine million immigration applications, affecting various benefits such as work permits and green cards.
Contention
While the resolution reflects a strong consensus on the need for improved funding and resources, it may also raise discussions regarding how best to allocate government resources to immigration services amid competing priorities. Legislators are likely to debate the specifics of funding distribution, including the potential for increased hiring at USCIS and the complexities of providing adequate legal assistance to those in need. The call for action also invites scrutiny regarding the efficacy and efficiency of current immigration processing protocols and the broader immigration system.
Urging The United States Department Of The Interior To Work With The Office Of The Governor, Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands, United States Congressional Delegations From Hawaii, And Sovereign Council Of Hawaiian Homestead Associations To Make A Determination In Support Of Act 80, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2017.
Urging The United States Department Of The Interior To Work With The Office Of The Governor, Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands, United States Congressional Delegations From Hawaii, And Sovereign Council Of Hawaiian Homestead Associations To Make A Determination In Support Of Act 80, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2017.
Urging The Department Of Human Services, Department Of Health, And Judiciary To Prioritize Ensuring That Contracts For Government Services Are Adequately Resourced To Cover The Costs Of Providing Those Services.
Urging The Department Of Human Services, Department Of Health, And Judiciary To Prioritize Ensuring That Contracts For Government Services Are Adequately Resourced To Cover The Costs Of Providing Those Services.
Requesting The United States Attorney For The District Of Hawaii And Prosecuting Attorney Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Prosecute All Cases Within The Weed And Seed Sites In Hawaii.
Requesting The United States Attorney For The District Of Hawaii And Prosecuting Attorney Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Prosecute All Cases Within The Weed And Seed Sites In Hawaii.
Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote, including the eligibility of certain voters to vote a limited federal ballot if the voter cannot supply the required proof and the procedures for the counting of those ballots; creating criminal offenses.