Key Takeaways
• On March 28, 2025, Skadden agreed to provide $100 million in pro bono legal services under Trump pressure.
• Project Homecoming launched May 27, 2025, offers free flights and bonuses for voluntary immigrant departure.
• Courts blocked parts of Trump’s immigration orders and ordered admission of 12,000 refugees on May 9, 2025.
The relationship between Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP—a major global law firm—and the Trump administration has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸. As the Trump administration pushes forward with sweeping changes to immigration enforcement, Skadden’s new pro bono agreement with the government has sparked questions about the role of law firms, the independence of legal advocacy, and the future of pro bono work for immigrants and other vulnerable groups.
Skadden’s $100 Million Pro Bono Agreement: What Happened and Why?
On March 28, 2025, Skadden entered into a high-profile agreement with the Trump administration. The firm committed to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services during the Trump administration and beyond. This move came after Skadden learned that the administration was preparing an executive order that would likely target the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and its pro bono activities.
Key points of the agreement include:
- Pro bono services for causes supported by both President Trump and Skadden, such as helping veterans, military members, law enforcement, and government officials.
- A requirement that pro bono activities represent the “full political spectrum.”
- A change in policy so all future pro bono work is done in Skadden’s name, rather than by individual attorneys.
- Funding for at least five Skadden Fellows each year, with projects focused on helping veterans, ensuring fairness in the justice system, and fighting antisemitism.
Jeremy London, Skadden’s executive partner, described the agreement as “the best path to protect our clients, our people, and our Firm” in the face of a possible executive order. President Trump called the arrangement “essentially a settlement,” saying Skadden had “come to the table.”
This agreement is unusual in both its size and its direct connection to government pressure. It has drawn attention from Congress, legal experts, and immigration advocates, all of whom are watching to see how it will affect Skadden’s ability to take on cases that might challenge government policy.
Trump Administration’s Immigration Actions: New Programs and Tough Enforcement
Since returning to office, the Trump administration has moved quickly to reshape the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system. The focus has been on enforcement, removals, and limiting access to asylum.
Project Homecoming: Voluntary Departure Program
On May 27, 2025, President Trump announced Project Homecoming, a program designed to encourage undocumented immigrants to leave the United States 🇺🇸 voluntarily. The program offers:
- Free government-funded flights for those who agree to depart.
- A financial “exit bonus” for those who leave permanently.
- A streamlined process using the new “CBP Home” app (formerly known as CBP One).
- Help with travel documents and airport services for those departing.
Those who do not choose to leave voluntarily face the threat of “strict enforcement and penalties,” including a major increase in deportation officers—an additional 20,000 officers have been promised.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, at least one migrant has already used the program to return to Honduras from Chicago, and more departures are scheduled soon. Immigrants who register their “Intent to Depart” through the app will be “deprioritized for detention and removal” while they make arrangements to leave.
Border Closure and Asylum Restrictions
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed the “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion Proclamation,” which has effectively closed the southern border to asylum seekers. Under this policy:
- Anyone entering without inspection is barred from seeking immigration benefits, including asylum.
- Asylum seekers are being sent back to Mexico, raising concerns about possible violations of international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on Refugees.
- Those seeking entry at official ports must provide detailed medical, criminal, and background information, making the process much harder.
Rescinding Biden-Era Protections
On the same day, President Trump issued another executive order called “Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions.” This order removed several protections put in place by the Biden administration, including:
- Civil immigration enforcement priorities (which had focused on the most serious cases).
- Programs to address the root causes of migration in Central America.
- Efforts to help new immigrants integrate and feel included.
- A task force to reunite families separated at the border.
These changes have made it much harder for many immigrants to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or to seek protection.
Congressional Oversight and Legal Pushback
The Skadden agreement has not gone unnoticed by lawmakers. On April 28, 2025, members of Congress sent a letter to Skadden, raising concerns about the nature of the agreement and what it means for the firm’s independence and ethical duties. They questioned whether the deal could limit Skadden’s ability to take on cases that might challenge the Trump administration’s policies.
At the same time, other law firms have taken a different approach. Several have challenged President Trump’s executive orders in court. Federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders to stop the administration from taking action against firms like Jenner & Block and WilmerHale, and have blocked parts of an executive order against Perkins Coie. These legal battles show that the administration’s approach to law firms is not without risk, and that the courts can serve as a check on executive power.
Judicial Checks on Immigration Policy
One of the most significant recent developments came on May 9, 2025, when U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Washington ordered the Trump administration to admit about 12,000 refugees into the United States 🇺🇸. This ruling is a clear example of the courts stepping in to limit the administration’s ability to restrict immigration.
Criticism of Project Homecoming
Project Homecoming has faced strong criticism from immigration advocates and some lawmakers. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13) called it a “pay-to-deport” scheme, arguing that it encourages people to leave rather than offering them a fair chance to stay. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council warned that leaving the country could have serious legal consequences for migrants who are already in removal proceedings. For example, someone who leaves voluntarily might face long bans on returning to the United States 🇺🇸 or lose the chance to apply for certain forms of relief.
Skadden’s Pro Bono Work: Independence or Influence?
The agreement between Skadden and the Trump administration has raised important questions about the independence of pro bono work—especially when it comes to immigration cases. Skadden has promised to provide services to “politically disenfranchised groups” and to ensure fairness in the justice system. In theory, this could include helping immigrants who are fighting deportation or seeking asylum.
However, the agreement also requires that pro bono activities “represent the full political spectrum” and that certain causes—such as helping veterans and law enforcement—are prioritized. This could make it harder for Skadden to take on cases that directly challenge the administration’s immigration policies.
Key concerns include:
- Will Skadden be able to represent immigrants in court if doing so goes against administration priorities?
- Could the agreement discourage the firm from taking on controversial cases, out of fear of government retaliation?
- How will the requirement to “represent the full political spectrum” be enforced, and who decides what counts as balanced?
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these questions are at the heart of the current debate over the role of law firms in defending the rights of immigrants and other vulnerable groups.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants, Law Firms, and the Legal System?
The Skadden agreement and the Trump administration’s immigration policies have wide-reaching effects for many different groups.
For Immigrants
- Access to Legal Help: If law firms like Skadden are limited in the kinds of pro bono cases they can take, immigrants may have a harder time finding free legal help.
- Risk of Deportation: With increased enforcement and fewer protections, more people are at risk of being removed from the United States 🇺🇸.
- Uncertainty: Programs like Project Homecoming create confusion and fear, as immigrants must decide whether to leave voluntarily or risk forced removal.
For Law Firms
- Independence: The Skadden agreement raises questions about whether law firms can remain independent when facing government pressure.
- Ethical Duties: Lawyers have a duty to represent clients zealously and without interference. Agreements like this could make it harder to fulfill that duty.
- Reputation: Law firms may face criticism from both sides—those who think they are too close to the government, and those who think they are not doing enough to defend vulnerable clients.
For the Legal System
- Checks and Balances: The courts have shown they can act as a check on executive power, as seen in the recent refugee admission order.
- Role of Pro Bono Work: Pro bono work is a key part of the legal system, helping those who cannot afford a lawyer. Limits on this work could weaken the system as a whole.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Advocates
If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, here are some steps to consider:
- Stay Informed: Immigration policies are changing quickly. Check official sources like the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for the latest updates.
- Seek Legal Help: If you are facing removal or considering voluntary departure, talk to a qualified immigration lawyer. They can explain your options and help you understand the risks.
- Document Everything: Keep copies of all paperwork, including any notices from immigration authorities and records of your time in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Use Official Apps Carefully: If you are considering using the CBP Home app to register your intent to depart, make sure you understand what this means for your legal status and future options.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Ongoing Debate
The situation between Skadden, its pro bono commitments, and the Trump administration’s immigration policies is still developing. Congressional oversight, court challenges, and public debate will likely continue in the coming months.
Key questions remain:
- Will Skadden and other law firms be able to take on cases that challenge government policy?
- How will the courts respond to further executive actions on immigration?
- What will happen to immigrants caught in the middle of these changes?
For now, the best advice is to stay informed, seek legal help when needed, and watch for further developments. The balance between government power, legal independence, and the rights of immigrants is being tested in new ways—and the outcome will shape the future of immigration law in the United States 🇺🇸.
Takeaway: The Skadden pro bono agreement with the Trump administration highlights the complex relationship between law firms and government policy. As immigration enforcement ramps up and legal protections are rolled back, the ability of law firms to provide independent, meaningful help to immigrants is under pressure. Immigrants, advocates, and legal professionals should remain alert, use official resources, and be ready to respond as the situation evolves.
Learn Today
Pro bono → Legal services offered for free to support public or client interests without charge.
Executive order → A directive issued by the President to manage government operations legally.
CBP Home app → An app facilitating immigrant registration and voluntary departure procedures under Project Homecoming.
Deportation → The legal removal of a foreign national from a country due to immigration violations.
Temporary restraining order → A court order temporarily preventing a party from taking an action during legal disputes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Skadden’s $100 million pro bono deal with the Trump administration raises concerns about law firm independence amid strict immigration enforcement and new deportation programs.
— By VisaVerge.com
