Full Breakdown
Volunteer Lawyers Fill Critical Gap for Unrepresented Immigrants in Sacramento Immigration Court
8/10/2026, 3:36:58 AM
Core Event
In Sacramento’s immigration court, volunteer attorney coordinator Kamalpreet Chohan runs a program that matches pro-bono lawyers with dozens of respondents who appear without legal representation. On a typical morning, Chohan reviews a list of 57 scheduled immigrants, all of whom lack counsel, and distributes vetted, free-of-charge attorney contacts despite long waitlists. The effort aims to help asylum seekers and other non-citizens navigate complex filing requirements and avoid deportation.
Background & Context
The shortage of representation intensified during the second term of President Donald Trump, when the administration expanded “mega-master” hearings—large-scale master calendar sessions intended to clear backlogs but that often created chaos. ICE officers also began waiting in court hallways to arrest individuals after their hearings. These policies increased the risk of removal for people who appear without a lawyer.
Data & Statistics
- The Vera Institute of Justice analysis of immigration-court data shows that 52 % of the roughly 3.2 million pending deportation cases lack legal counsel.
- A 2024 Congressional Research Service study found that only 19 % of unrepresented respondents win asylum or another form of relief, compared with 47 % of those who have an attorney.
On-the-Ground Reports
A Guatemalan asylum seeker who arrived in 2024 described paying $4,500 to a fraudulent lawyer who did nothing for his case. After being warned by a judge that he could be deported, he expressed uncertainty about his future. Volunteers from a local anti-ICE resistance group stand nearby, while a security guard enforces a no-recording policy inside the courthouse.
Chohan spends much of her time in the waiting room, reviewing documents, explaining form-filling details, and reminding clients to submit a receipt for the $102 asylum-application fee. She notes that judges may deny claims that lack sufficient detail and that all Spanish-language submissions must be translated by a person, not an automated tool.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Susan Phan introduces Chohan at each hearing, emphasizing that meeting with the volunteer is optional but rare: “You are not required to meet with her but it is a rare opportunity that we have someone volunteering their time.” Phan’s remarks underscore the court’s reliance on nonprofit assistance to bridge the representation gap.
Chohan, who works with the California Immigration Project, has observed the “mega-master” hearings and ICE arrests first-hand, describing them as sources of “chaos” that complicate immigrants’ ability to understand and comply with procedural requirements. She stresses that the “Attorney of the Day” program, while limited, provides essential support until more pro-bono lawyers become available.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You are not required to meet with her but it is a rare opportunity that we have someone volunteering their time,” — Susan Phan, judge
- “Having an attorney is just super critical to be able to navigate the system successfully,” — Adriel Orozco
These statements illustrate the court’s acknowledgment of the program’s value and the broader immigration-rights community’s view that legal counsel is indispensable for navigating the system.
