Chicago creates $1M legal fund for immigrants facing deportation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Guatamalan Elvin Vazquez looks on from a street in front of a shelter for migrants after being deported Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, in Tijuana, Mexico. Vazquez spent more than 13 years in the United States before being deported. In an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday night, President-elect Donald Trump said he would focus on deporting people with criminal records beyond their immigration status. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Chicago is taking $1 million earmarked for a little-used property tax relief program to start a legal fund for immigrants facing deportation.
It's a response Donald Trump's election. The president-elect campaigned on an aggressive approach to immigration, including promises to deport millions.
Experts estimate 150,000 Chicago area residents don't have permanent legal status.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Friday that the fund will be run with the National Immigrant Justice Center to help with legal consultations and representation. Emanuel also seeks private donations.
The $1 million comes from a $20 million program offering relief to homeowners after last year's property tax hike to boost underfunded pension systems. Only $1 million has been claimed.
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Chicago approved an $8.3 billion spending plan with new taxes and faces a roughly $137 million budget gap.
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