The issue of immigrant legal representation is a critical one that needs to be addressed right away in immigration courts around the United States. It should be noted that the immigrants, despite offering so much to the country, still face problems when it comes to fighting legal battles.
Ibrahim Keita is one of the many people who suffer greatly as a result of not having an experienced attorney representing them at important hearings.
Keita's story highlights the harsh fact that many immigrants must navigate intricate legal procedures without adequate legal counsel. His lawyer never showed up, despite him waiting outside the immigration court for hours. This resulted in a no-show designation and a deportation order that broke his family up.
Almost 4 million people appeared in immigration court in just the past year, and a startling 70% of them did not have legal representation. Remarkably, 74% of the roughly 250,000 people who were ordered to be deported lacked access to legal representation to protect their legal rights and mount a defence.
We're working to rectify this injustice. Recognising that immigrants facing deportation and family separation have a fundamental right to legal counsel, certain governments have established publicly sponsored deportation defence programmes.
Congress also presented the Fairness to Freedom Act to protect immigrants' legal right to counsel during immigration court proceedings.
Justice and fairness are not limited to criminal court proceedings. In Gideon v. Wainwright, decided 61 years ago, the Supreme Court upheld the right to counsel for those facing criminal charges; similarly, immigrants should have a competent legal representative on their side on their fair day in court.
This is a need rather than a luxury, particularly in court cases that could affect a person's life.
It's time to stop excluding immigrants from this fundamental right and to fight for equitable legal representation. During immigration court procedures, immigrants should have access to legal support regardless of their financial situation or immigration status.
In addition to guaranteeing justice and due process, this assistance enables people like Ibrahim Keita to comprehend their legal rights, make strong arguments, and stay firmly established in their communities alongside their families.
The principles of justice, equity, and human dignity are upheld when we support universal representation for immigrants. To put a stop to the structural inequities that have afflicted our immigration system for far too long, this is a critical step.
For immigrants to properly present their case in immigration court, understand their rights, and have a fair chance to defend themselves against deportation or family separation, they must be represented by legal counsel.
Lack of legal representation can have disastrous results, causing immigrants and their families great emotional and financial suffering. These effects can include family separation, unjust deportations, and denial of due process rights.