Many immigrants face deportation without a lawyer at their side in court. This program tries to help
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Lawyer Kamalpreet Chohan ran her finger down a list of 57 names of people scheduled to appear during a morning of hearings at the immigration court in California’s capital and pointed out one glaring absence. “None of these folks are represented,”…
In Sacramento, California, lawyer Kamalpreet Chohan observed a troubling pattern during a day of immigration court hearings. She noted that none of the 57 individuals scheduled to appear were represented by legal counsel, highlighting the lack of representation for many. Immigration courts in California's capital are experiencing a surge in deportation cases, with the Trump administration pushing for a mass deportation agenda.
The absence of legal representation heightens the risks for immigrants seeking to remain in the United States. Courts are denying asylum claims at an increasing rate, and immigration officers have been observed arresting people within court premises. The administration has also crowded courtrooms to alleviate backlogs and shorten the time between hearings, causing some immigrants to miss their scheduled appearances.
Data indicates that legal representation is crucial in winning cases, yet many immigrants, unable to afford a private attorney or secure a pro bono one, are left to navigate the complex legal system without a lawyer. Chohan emphasized the invaluable assistance attorneys provide, noting that those present always fare better. In contrast to criminal proceedings, immigrants in immigration court are not automatically granted a lawyer.
They must either pay significant fees or rely on volunteering from nonprofit organizations that assist low-income immigrants. However, these organizations have lengthy waitlists, and the availability of immigration attorneys remains limited in numerous regions. According to an analysis by the Vera Institute of Justice, roughly 52% of the 3.2 million pending deportation cases in U.S. immigration courts lack legal representation.
A study by the Congressional Research Service in 2024 revealed that only 19% of individuals without legal counsel succeeded in obtaining asylum or other pathways to stay in the United States, compared to 47% success rate for those with a lawyer.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
