Local legal clinic working to secure future funds

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Maxwell Street Legal Clinic has downsized from 30 to 11 employees.

The program director, Charles Bates, says even though President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze was paused, it sparked what Bates calls a domino effect.

“It caused some difficulties with other funders, and we had to really hustle to secure additional funding to keep going,” he said.

The legal clinic provides a number of immigration services funded by other organizations, but since the beginning of February, right after the federal freeze was paused, they decided to cut down in order to save money while they figure out how to continue to finance their operations.

“DACA, a TPS (temporary protected status), green card renewals, DACA renewals, [and] work authorizations are all we’re currently taking,” Bates said.

The legal clinic is part of the Kentucky Equal Justice Center. Jackson Cooper with KEJC says they’re working to continue providing their services without relying on federal funding.

President Trump has not yet signed an executive order that has taken away their current funding.