The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) is a data research and distribution organization at Syracuse University. TRAC analyzed the cases in immigration court.
National
Repairing A Broken System: Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration
The Federal Trade Commission presents recommendations, which they gathered through public roundtables the year prior. These roundtables brought together representatives from the debt collection industry, consumer advocates, judges, attorneys, and others.
Family Court and the Unique Needs of Children and Families Who Lack Immigration Status
This article analyzes the lack of focus on immigrants in family court and the collateral consequences that immigrants can experience from attending family court. Liebmann also finds that most family court judges and lawyers do not know about the implications for immigrants in family court.
Removing Barriers to Opportunity for Parents With Criminal Records and Their Children: A Two-Generation Approach
The Center for American Progress finds that almost half of American children have at least one parent with a criminal record. This report analyzes the long-term consequences for those children and the inter-generational transmission of disadvantage.
Reentry: The Tie That Binds Civil Legal Aid Attorneys and Public Defenders
Works examines the data from major reentry initiatives to determine whether the legal needs of formerly incarcerated individuals are being met. The data suggest that reentry programs do not adequately address the legal needs of their clients. This article then examines the potential for partnership between reentry programs and existing legal service providers in an effort to close the legal services gap in reentry.
Process and Impact Evaluation of a Legal Assistance and Health Care Community Partnership
Researchers conducted a cost-benefit analysis with a secondary data from a legal aid program that helped with health-related issues, such as medication coverage, Social Security benefits, and Medicaid reimbursement. The researchers found that 25.5 percent of the closed cases resulted in a win for the client; 42.7 percent of the closed cases were referred to the appropriate legal aid entity; and 18.7 percent were lost to follow up or closed due to a changing need. Only 13.4 percent of cases were lost for the client.
Needs of Homeless Veterans: 5 Years of the CHALENG Survey 2012-16
Researchers find that the needs of homeless veterans has remained relatively consistent through the last five years of the CHALENG survey, pointing to the long-term needs of homeless veterans. At the top of the list is the need for legal assistance.
Needs and Issues of Latino and Native American Nonparental Relative Caregivers: Strengths and Challenges within a Cultural Context
This study interviewed Latino and Native American grandparents about their social and legal needs. In interviews conducted with Native American caregivers, the article noted “legal custodial issues as critical” and “reported legal aid as a significant need” (p. 364). For those interviewed, Native American grandparents reported a median income of $1,300.
Meeting the Legal Needs of Human-Trafficking Survivors
Byrne outlines the legal needs of human trafficking survivors (including expungement or vacatur, trauma-informed representation, autonomy, etc.), the challenges faced by lawyers who represent trafficking survivors, poses an argument for self-directed representation of survivors who are minors, and offers guidance for lawyers who seek to serve this population.
High Quality Legal Representation for All Parties in Child Welfare Proceedings
This ACF memo encourages child welfare agencies, courts, administrative offices of the courts, and Court Improvement programs to ensure that parents, children, and child welfare agencies receive high quality legal representation at all stages of child welfare proceedings.
Legal Aid Research 