Many immigrants face deportation without a lawyer at their side in court. This program tries to help

In Sacramento, California, a program aims to provide volunteer lawyers for immigrants facing deportation in court. Lawyer Kamalpreet Chohan highlighted an alarming absence at a morning hearing: none of the 57 people on the list had legal representation. Chohan coordinates a program that sends volunteer attorneys to assist those without representation, helping them navigate the complex immigration system where the consequences are deportation or maintaining a future in America.

The second Trump administration's focus on mass deportations has intensified the risks, as judges are more likely to deny asylum, and immigration officers arrest individuals in court hallways. People often miss hearings because they are unaware of their obligations. Legal representation significantly improves the chances of a positive outcome, but many immigrants cannot afford private lawyers or find pro bono assistance.

Waiting lists for nonprofit organizations are lengthy, and immigration attorneys are scarce in some regions. Of the roughly 3.2 million pending deportation cases, 52% of those individuals lack legal representation.

According to an analysis by the Vera Institute of Justice, only 19% of people without a lawyer won asylum or another path to stay in the United States, compared to 47% of those with legal counsel. Chohan warns of scams involving lawyers who take money but provide no help. She offers clients a list of vetted attorneys. One man, who claimed asylum after escaping gang threats in Guatemala, spent $4,500 on a lawyer who ultimately did nothing. He now fears deportation and lacks confidence in his current legal counsel.