Story perspectives

Volunteer Lawyers Aid Immigrants at Rare Sacramento Hearing

8/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lawyer Kamalpreet Chohan coordinated volunteer lawyers for immigrants at a Sacramento court hearing, which Judge Susan Phan called a rare opportunity.
The Vera Institute says 52% of about 3.2 million deportation cases lack counsel, while a 2024 Congressional Research Service (CRS) study found win rates of 19% without a lawyer versus 47% with counsel.
Chohan advises immigrants to bring person-translated Spanish documents, passport copies, and the $102 fee receipt before hearings.

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Story summary

Lawyer Kamalpreet Chohan coordinated volunteer lawyers for immigrants at a Sacramento court hearing, which Judge Susan Phan called a rare opportunity.
The Vera Institute says 52% of about 3.2 million deportation cases lack counsel, while a 2024 Congressional Research Service (CRS) study found win rates of 19% without a lawyer versus 47% with counsel.
Chohan advises immigrants to bring person-translated Spanish documents, passport copies, and the $102 fee receipt before hearings.