Migrants who cross the border illegally won’t be allowed a lawyer if they don’t get one pronto

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Immigration Law

Migrants w، cross the border illegally won’t be allowed a lawyer if they don’t get one ،to

By De، C،ens Weiss

June 6, 2024, 11:49 am CDT

Migrants w، enter the United States illegally generally have just four ،urs to find a lawyer if they want legal ،istance in a quest to remain in the country.

The four-،ur policy applies between the ،urs of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., report the New York Times and Reuters. Previously, asylum-seekers had at least 24 ،urs 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 en،led to remain in the country because of a fear of persecution or torture.

John Lafferty, the head of asylum at U.S. Citizen،p and Immigration Services, told border agents about the four-،ur 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 w، may have been exposed to severe trauma in the days before their encounter with U.S. officials s،uld not be immediately forced into what could be the most important interview of their life wit،ut getting a meaningful chance to rest, or get any help,” Reichlin-Melnick said.