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Kentucky Equal Justice Center closing July 31
By John McGary
July 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM EDT
A Lexington nonprofit offering free or reduced-price legal services to immigrants and others for nearly half a century is shutting down at the end of the month. Jackson Cooper is the senior general counsel and director of legal programs for the Kentucky Equal Justice Center. He said after the Trump Administration began freezing and cutting grants, other funding sources began to dry up, too.
“This administration has not been quiet about their desire to go after anyone who helps the people they are targeting. And, you know, people can't help but take that threat seriously.”
Cooper said much of their work involves representing immigrants trying to stay in the country within the system, though they don’t represent them at removal hearings.
“Trying to navigate the immigration system to obtain, you know, green cards, work permits, net citizenship. We serve a lot of folks who are at a particular disadvantage because they are victims of crime, either domestic violence or human trafficking.”
Cooper said they’ve already cut staff and operate out of just one office – the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic. He said the remaining employees are having difficult conversations with clients who may not be able to find other legal help.
“This administration has not been quiet about their desire to go after anyone who helps the people they are targeting. And, you know, people can't help but take that threat seriously.”
Cooper said much of their work involves representing immigrants trying to stay in the country within the system, though they don’t represent them at removal hearings.
“Trying to navigate the immigration system to obtain, you know, green cards, work permits, net citizenship. We serve a lot of folks who are at a particular disadvantage because they are victims of crime, either domestic violence or human trafficking.”
Cooper said they’ve already cut staff and operate out of just one office – the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic. He said the remaining employees are having difficult conversations with clients who may not be able to find other legal help.