What Are Legal Deserts?
We’re here to help! CIDBL is a for-profit legal center that specializes in immigration law, and in particular immigration detention in so-called “legal deserts.”
Immigration Detention Centers Located Far Outside Major Cities
Many individuals who are seeking asylum, withholding of removal, or relief under the Convention Against Torture may come to the United States, only to find themselves in an immigration detention center. At that time, they need attorney representation.
However, many of these immigration detention centers are located in areas where very few lawyers have law practices. A list of these detention centers is located here, but some “legal deserts” include:
This means the immigration detention centers are located far away from major access to immigration attorneys.
Lack of Legal Representation for Non Citizens in Immigration Detention Centers
Legal deserts may also refer to locations near major cities, but the number of immigration attorneys is shockingly low. The detention center located in Aurora, Colorado is an example of this. There are about 200 immigration attorneys in the state of Colorado and nearly 73,000 immigration cases pending before the state’s courts.
When the American Immigration Council conducted a study in 2016, they found only 14% of detained non-citizens were able to obtain attorneys. And yet, detained non-citizens have about ten times the likelihood of winning their case if they are represented by an attorney.
This is where CIDBL steps in. We are a full-service immigration law firm, and our focus is on detained clients in legal deserts.
Non-citizens Have a Right To Be Represented By An Attorney at No Expense to the Government
How is this possible? During the pandemic, video conferencing became the norm. Since then, attorneys are also allowed to meet with detained non-citizens through video. Per law, the government will not appoint an attorney to represent a non-citizen. However, new immigrants have a right to hire and pay for their own attorney. Per the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, an individual in detention facing removal proceedings has the right to a full and fair opportunity to present their case with legal representation and access during the court proceeding to an interpreter who speaks their best language.
CIDBL strives to assist these individuals during the pendency of their case, especially while in detention.
