MOSCOW Idaho
A former Canyon County
commissioner and vocal foe of illegal immigration says instructors and students
at the University of Idaho Law School are breaking the law by offering free
legal representation to people who face deportation or other immigration
proceedings.
“Federal law states that anyone who aids and abets an
illegal alien in remaining in the United States
is committing a felony,” Robert Vasquez told the Lewiston Tribune.
Monica Schurtman, a UI professor and supervising attorney
for the Tribal Clinic, laughed off Vasquez’s criticism.
“That’s really funny,” she said. “What we try
to do is assist our clients in a well-established legal system to remain
legally in the United States.”
Schurtman said the immigration aspect was added to the
clinic in 2000 when she saw immigration as a growing concern in the state.
“In 2000, it was obvious to me that there was a huge
jump in the immigrant population coming,” Schurtman said. “It’s
something I’ve always been passionate about.”
