California is home to more immigrants than any other state in the nation, and manages the world’s most active border crossing in San Ysidro. Today, we serve as a primary destination for thousands of women and children who are seeking aid at our border, many of whom are referred to immigration court.

There, they will all meet the sobering reality that their chances of retaining a pro bono attorney, and consequently having a fair chance at challenging their deportation, are slim.

The most significant challenge for immigrants in removal proceedings is the fact that they are not guaranteed an attorney, even though the stakes in immigration court can be just as high as any criminal proceeding. In fact, an immigration judge once noted that the circumstances of immigration court “amount to death penalty cases heard in traffic court settings.” For those who find themselves in these dire circumstances, access to legal counsel is key.

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