McALLEN, Texas – Volunteer legal programs are trying to help immigrants understand court procedures in a system where people facing deportation are not guaranteed an attorney.
A California nonprofit program described by The Associated Press sends volunteer lawyers to immigration courts to explain hearings, review paperwork and direct people to vetted legal resources. Organizers say the assistance has become increasingly important as courts accelerate dockets and immigration officers conduct enforcement operations near courtrooms.
About 52% of the roughly 3.2 million pending deportation cases in U.S. immigration courts involve people without lawyers, according to a Vera Institute of Justice analysis of court data. A 2024 Congressional Research Service study found that 47% of people represented by attorneys won asylum or another form of relief, compared with 19% of those without representation.
Unlike criminal defendants, immigrants in removal proceedings must hire an attorney or obtain help from a nonprofit. Private representation can cost thousands of dollars, while nonprofit providers often have long waiting lists and limited capacity.
Legal advocates also warn families to verify credentials before paying anyone who claims to provide immigration services. Only licensed attorneys and federally accredited representatives may provide legal advice in immigration cases.
