Legal Help for Many Facing Deportation at Risk Following DOJ Cuts

Anyone who has watched Law and Order knows: If you’re arrested by the NYPD, you have the right to a lawyer. If you can’t afford one, the government provides you with an attorney free of charge. But if you’re arrested by ICE, or are facing deportation in immigration court, the government is not required to provide a lawyer. The majority of immigrants facing deportation end up representing themselves in court, which is why the Justice Department currently funds two initiatives that provide legal guidance and access to lawyers. But as Dan Rabb reports, these programs may not be around for long.