Legal Representation

Three-Year-Old Forced to Represent Herself in Tucson Immigration Court Sparks Outrage

Three-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court – the very phrase seems like something out of a dystopian novel, doesn’t it? It’s a stark reality, however, and one that immediately sparks a sense of outrage. How can a child, barely able to form coherent sentences or understand the world around them, be expected to navigate the complex, often baffling, world of legal proceedings? The sheer absurdity of it is almost too much to bear.

The thought of a three-year-old, ripped from everything familiar, stripped of comfort and security, facing the intimidating environment of an immigration court, is truly horrifying.… Continue reading

NYC Court: Unrepresented Migrant Children Face Deportation

Migrant children in New York shelters are attending virtual immigration hearings without legal representation due to the termination of a federal contract funding legal services for unaccompanied minors. This has led to a significant increase in the number of children appearing in court without attorneys, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Data shows a stark contrast in deportation rates between represented and unrepresented children, with the latter facing a much higher likelihood of removal. The situation has prompted nonprofits to scramble for alternative funding and advocates to call for state intervention to fill the massive funding gap.

Read More