Haynes and Boone, LLP has joined 33 other major law firms that have pledged to help ensure representation for legitimate asylum seekers and to help reunify children in federal custody with their families.
The 34 law firms will work with the legal services community to provide needed services.
In a New York Times article, Brad S. Karp and Gary M. Wingens — writing on behalf of the 34 law firms — explained the firms’ commitment.
“We are professionally obligated to safeguard the rule of law and to protect the poor and the vulnerable,” wrote Karp (chairman of Paul, Weiss Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison) and Wingens (managing partner of Lowenstein & Sandler.) “We call upon the administration to develop an immediate plan for reunifying children with their families, to release families who pose no threat to our country and to terminate the policy of criminally prosecuting asylum seekers.”
Haynes and Boone Managing partner Tim Powers, in commenting on the current situation in south Texas said: “As a Texas-rooted firm, it is especially distressing to look at what is happening on our southern border.” Powers continued, “The people being incarcerated at the border look like our friends, our relatives and co-workers. And, in fact, many of these people we know and love; they are here as one-time refugees or are simply people looking for a better way of life for their families.” Powers concluded: “We look forward to being of service to those in need.”
”The entire article can be viewed here and the list of participating firms can be viewed here.