WITH FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER TEXAS IMMIGRATION LAW, NON-PROFITS WONDER ABOUT EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS
"There's a direct correlation between having strong legal representation and having strong, successful outcomes in your case," RAICES' Faisal Al-Juburi said. "In the immigration system, you can access legal counsel, sure, but you're not afforded that as a right."
Al-Juburi said many people seeking asylum are pushed into expedited removal proceedings before they understand how to defend themselves.
"What I've seen with my colleagues is there's difficulty ensuring those we're here serve, that we continue to have access to them," Al-Juburi said. "There have been so many obstacles through these border militarization efforts, these expedited removal processes, our teams have had to fight that much harder just to be able to serve."
He stated that the issue is not partisan, either. Al-Juburi acknowledges not every person seeking asylum will receive it, but he said both federal and state policy currently threaten the ability for a fair hearing.
"That's not to say the current administration hasn't implemented its own very Draconian measures at the border," Al-Juburi said. "What we've seen time and time again is these deterrent practices do not work. What they do is create far more harmful, life-threatening circumstances people then face."
