Grant program to assist eligible applicants

(a) Establishment The Secretary and the Attorney General shall establish, within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, respectively, programs to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide direct legal services to aliens as described in subsection (c). (b) Eligible nonprofit organization The term eligible nonprofit organization means a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose staff has demonstrated qualifications, experience, and expertise in providing quality services to immigrants, refugees, persons granted asylum, or persons applying for such statuses. (c) Use of funds Grant funds awarded under this section shall be used for the design and implementation of programs to provide direct assistance, within the scope of authorized practice of law, to aliens in removal proceedings and to aliens completing applications and petitions, including providing assistance in obtaining necessary documents and supporting evidence. (d) Authorization of appropriations (1) Amounts authorized There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. (2) Availability Any amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.