Chicago officials are creating a legal services fund to help those living in the country illegally and facing deportation. Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced $1 million to start the fund that's being run with the Chicago-based National Immigrant Justice Center. The money will be used to help individuals with consultations and representation, among other things.
Immigration experts estimate there are about 150,000 people in Chicago without permanent legal status. The money is coming from $20 million set aside for the city's little-used property tax rebate program that allows homeowners to apply for relief. Only about $1 million has been claimed.
The city's move is a response to the election of Donald Trump, who campaigned on promises that he'd take an aggressive approach to immigration, including deporting millions.
