TexasAppleseed.net

Texas Appleseed
WHAT WE DO: PDF Print E-mail

  • PROMOTE social and economic justice

  • CHAMPION the rights of the poor and marginalized

  • PARTNER with pro bono attorneys and other professionals

  • FOCUS on systemic solutions to major social problems


Founded in 1996, TEXAS APPLESEED is a public interest law center that—through extensive research and analysis, advocacy and pro bono partnerships—works for greater educational, economic and social justice.  Ours is one of 16 Appleseed centers throughout the United States and Mexico City.

 
In the Spotlight PDF Print E-mail

Fair Legal Representation for Immigrant Detainees


Appleseed has released its comprehensive assessment of the nation's Immigration Courts -- Assembly Line Injustice -- and proposed systemic changes to address such issues as inadequate staffing, over-reliance on video conferencing as a substitute for in-person court proceedings, inadequate access to court records, ineffective translation services, and difficulty securing adequate representation for detainees. 
Assembly Line Injustice - Key Findings
National Appleseed Release

Texas Appleseed contributed to this report -- and is currently partnering with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP to investigate barriers to fair legal representation for the estimated 15 percent of detainees who suffer from a mental illness.  Texas is equipped to hold more than a third of the nation's immigrant detainees.  Kristen Jesulaitis, Houston partner with Akin Gump, is leading the 20-member legal team working on Texas Appleseed's Immigration Courts project.  Akin Gump partner Steven Schulman of Washington, D.C., who heads the firm’s world-wide pro bono practice, joined the team this spring on visits to Texas immigration detention facilities. The Texas Appleseed report and policy recommendations are expected this fall.

harlingen_trip_004.jpg 

(L-R) AKIN GUMP (HOUSTON) PRO BONO ATTORNEYS PHYLLIS YOUNG, KRISTEN JESULAITIS, STEVEN SCHULMAN (WASHINGTON, D.C.), MATTHEW MARTINEZ, DEBBIE YEE AND JOHN STRICKLAND WITH TEXAS APPLESEED'S ANN BADDOUR

BACKGROUND:

Number of Immigration Courts in Texas:  8    in U.S.:   55
Immigration Court Locations:  Dallas, El Paso SPC, El Paso, Harlingen, Houston SPC, Houston, Port Isabel, San Antonio
Completed Immigration Court Caseload for FY 2008: 
    in Texas:  62,512    in U.S.:  339,071
Number of immigration detention facilities in Texas:   20

 

Latest News

Disaster Victims Need Affordable Housing
Texas Appleseed is urging the State of Texas to develop an action plan that prioritizes rebuilding affordable housing in hurricane-damaged communities, using a significant share of the $1.3 billion in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds earmarked for hurricane relief in Texas. Read more...

 

 
Long-Term Foster Care Reforms Needed
Texas Appleseed pro bono partners Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. are conducting field interviews to help determine how the courts and legal system can improve the life outcomes for children in long-term foster care.  These children face increased risks of poverty, drug addiction, and homelessness.  Read more...