Immigration Law
Migrants who cross the border illegally won’t be allowed a lawyer if they don’t get one pronto
Migrants who enter the United States illegally generally have just four hours to find a lawyer if they want legal assistance in a quest to remain in the country. (Image from Shutterstock)
Migrants who enter the United States illegally generally have just four hours to find a lawyer if they want legal assistance in a quest to remain in the country.
The four-hour policy applies between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., report the New York Times and Reuters. Previously, asylum-seekers had at least 24 hours to find a lawyer.
The new policy makes it more difficult for migrants entering the country illegally during peak periods to be referred for a “credible fear” screening with an asylum officer and to prove that they are entitled to remain in the country because of a fear of persecution or torture.
John Lafferty, the head of asylum at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, told border agents about the four-hour policy in an email.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, the policy director at the American Immigration Council, criticized the restriction in an interview with the New York Times.
“Migrants who may have been exposed to severe trauma in the days before their encounter with U.S. officials should not be immediately forced into what could be the most important interview of their life without getting a meaningful chance to rest, or get any help,” Reichlin-Melnick said.
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