Hawaii House Bill HR184

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Refer: 3/29/22
• Report Pass: 4/7/22
• Passed: 4/7/22

Caption

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.