Brennan Center Weighs in on DHS Plan for Communicating with LEP Individuals
In response to an announcement earlier this month that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is drafting a plan to provide limited English proficient (LEP) individuals with access to DHS services, the Brennan Center submitted comments urging the agency to provide interpreters in immigration and citizenship interviews.
In response to an announcement earlier this month that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is drafting a plan to provide limited English proficient (LEP) individuals with access to DHS services, the Brennan Center submitted comments urging the agency to provide interpreters in immigration and citizenship interviews. The Center’s comments focus on the agency’s obligation under Executive Order 13166 (issued in 2000) to provide LEP individuals with meaningful access to its services. While most federal agencies provide interpreters to LEP individuals seeking important benefits, DHS’ Citizenship and Immigration Service routinely requires people seeking asylum, green cards and naturalization to bring interpreters with them. The result is frequent miscommunication, making it impossible for people to demonstrate that they have valid claims to adjust their immigration status.