[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IMMIGRATION RIGHTS--ATTORNEY ACCESS RESTORED

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the record an 
article published in the New York Carib News newspaper on June 23, 
2009, titled ``Eric Holder Restores Key Immigration Right, Access to 
Attorney'', written by Tony Best. The article applauds Attorney General 
Eric Holder's swift action in reversing the past Administration's move 
to deprive individuals facing deportation with the right to an 
attorney.
  As this Administration moves towards immigration reform, it is 
important that we articulate that we are a nation that was founded on 
immutable rights, and these rights should not be limited to those who 
have the great benefit of US citizenship. Everyone who stands before a 
judge in our country is afforded the right to an attorney and why 
should an immigrant be excluded from such due process?
  It is understood that immigrants are not granted all the same 
protections that citizenship guarantees, but the integrity of the 
immigration proceedings are compromised when an individual does not 
have the ability to assert themselves through the benefit of counsel. 
Cultural and language barriers already place many immigrants at a 
disadvantage when standing before a judge and it is important that we 
offer these individuals the benefit of legal counsel to represent and 
assert their rights.
  I am pleased to hear that the Attorney General will be drafting a new 
order on this policy to recognize the need to give immigrants the 
capacity to be fairly judged.

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