DETROIT – A Michigan nonprofit that provides legal services to roughly 800 unaccompanied immigrant children in the state, along with helping immigrants navigate deportation proceedings, has laid off more than half of its staff due to federal funding cuts.
The group, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, said it laid off 72 staff members statewide Friday due to the termination of two contracts by the Trump administration, according to a Monday press release from the group. Prior to the layoffs, MIRC had 130 staffers.
The group – which has offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti – said it will try to continue to represent as many as it can of the 800 children in immigration proceedings now, but that will leave children vulnerable to fast-track deportation…