Should N.J. taxpayers pay for lawyers for immigrants facing deportation? Here's what a report says.

In U.S. criminal courts, everyone charged with a crime gets a lawyer. If you can't afford one, the court will provide you one for free.

In immigration court, that system doesn't exist.

About 67 percent of immigrants facing deportation in New Jersey face judges without a lawyer, according to a new report calling for big changes to the system.

Immigrants in detention with legal counsel are three times more likely to win their case and stay in the U.S. than those without lawyers, according to an analysis released Tuesday by New Jersey Policy Perspective, a liberal-leaning think tank based in Trenton.

"New Jersey should create a universal representation program that is publicly-funded to provide free, court-appointed counsel to low-income immigrants in New Jersey who are detained and facing deportation in immigration courts," wrote Erika Nava, a policy analyst with the think tank and the author of the report.

Providing legal representation to immigrants facing deportation increases the chance they will win their cases, improve the lives of their families and contribute to the local economy, Nava said.

The report comes as the state Legislature is debating the new state budget in Trenton. Gov. Phil Murphy has proposed spending $2.1 million in state funds to provide legal representation to low-income immigrants who can't afford their own attorneys.

However, some critics say New Jersey taxpayers should not be forced to pay to defend immigrants in detention, including many who are facing deportation because they entered the country illegally.

The debate comes as arrests of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents surged by 42 percent in New Jersey in fiscal year 2017 after the election of President Donald Trump. That is one of the biggest increases in the country.

By some estimates, the $2.1 million the Democratic governor proposed for legal help for immigrants is only a small percentage of the money needed for "universal representation" in immigration court in New Jersey.

Some cities and states, including New York and California, have pledged money to help immigrants get legal representation in court.

The New Jersey Policy Perspective report argues providing lawyers for immigrants facing deportation - who average about 62 days in detention facilities -- would help New Jersey's economy in the long run.

New Jersey employers pay $5.9 million annually in turnover-related costs to replace immigrant employees who are detained or deported, the report concluded. The state also loses $18 million in wages and $1.6 million in tax revenue when detained immigrants can't work.

Taking care of the children of detained immigrants is also costly, the report said. New Jersey pays about $732,000 for child health insurance and $203,000 for foster care to take care of children whose parents were detained or deported.

"While families are ripped apart from each other at the border, New Jersey should send a clear message to the nation that it will do its part in keeping families together and insure that all its residents receive due process including a fair day in immigration court," the report concluded.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.