More help is coming from Baltimore to immigrants living in the city. Mayor Catherine Pugh said she's providing increased support for legal aid to those facing deportation as part of her Safe City Baltimore initiative, which was launched back in the spring. "It's critical to people to have access to basic civil rights and legal counsel," said Elizabeth Alex of Casa of Maryland.Casa of Maryland is applauding the city's efforts to help immigrants facing deportation. "Your chances at immigration proceedings, if you go unrepresented, are significantly lower than if you go represented by an attorney," said Alex.Pugh said the city is safest when neighbors trust their officials. "If our residents don't feel safe - for example, coming forward to report crimes and cooperating with law enforcement - all of us are at more risk," Pugh said.The city is providing $100,000 to the Safe City Baltimore initiative and the Vera Institute for Justice is providing a matching grant. Those funds will help 40 people have access to an attorney if arrested by immigration enforcement agents."This type of program, to allow immigrants who are in proceedings to have access to their day in court, is critical and Baltimore is saying, 'We believe in the Constitution,'" Alex said. The program has preventative and education components. Next week, the mayor is expected to announce more partners and details about how this will be executed.

More help is coming from Baltimore to immigrants living in the city.

Mayor Catherine Pugh said she's providing increased support for legal aid to those facing deportation as part of her Safe City Baltimore initiative, which was launched back in the spring.


"It's critical to people to have access to basic civil rights and legal counsel," said Elizabeth Alex of Casa of Maryland.

Casa of Maryland is applauding the city's efforts to help immigrants facing deportation.

"Your chances at immigration proceedings, if you go unrepresented, are significantly lower than if you go represented by an attorney," said Alex.

Pugh said the city is safest when neighbors trust their officials.

"If our residents don't feel safe - for example, coming forward to report crimes and cooperating with law enforcement - all of us are at more risk," Pugh said.

The city is providing $100,000 to the Safe City Baltimore initiative and the Vera Institute for Justice is providing a matching grant. Those funds will help 40 people have access to an attorney if arrested by immigration enforcement agents.

"This type of program, to allow immigrants who are in proceedings to have access to their day in court, is critical and Baltimore is saying, 'We believe in the Constitution,'" Alex said.

The program has preventative and education components. Next week, the mayor is expected to announce more partners and details about how this will be executed.