Key Takeaways
• Most immigrants in Kansas City face deportation without legal counsel, as immigration courts don’t provide lawyers.
• ICE began arrests at Kansas City courts in June 2025, causing fear and missed hearings.
• Legal help availability is limited; most immigrants must navigate complex immigration law alone.
As of July 3, 2025, the situation for immigrants in Kansas City facing deportation remains deeply troubling. Most immigrants who appear before the Kansas City immigration court do so without legal counsel, a reality that shapes the outcome of their cases and their futures in the United States 🇺🇸. This lack of legal help stands out as one of the most pressing issues in the city’s immigration system, especially as federal enforcement actions increase and the legal process grows more complicated.
Most Immigrants in Kansas City Face Deportation Alone
Immigrants in Kansas City who are ordered to appear in immigration court are not guaranteed a lawyer. Unlike criminal courts, where people who cannot afford an attorney are given one by the government, immigration courts do not provide this right. Deportation cases are considered civil matters, not criminal, so the government does not have to appoint legal counsel for immigrants who cannot pay for one themselves.
This means that in Kansas City, as in most of the United States 🇺🇸, immigrants must find and pay for their own lawyers or try to represent themselves. For many, especially those who are detained or have limited money, this is simply not possible. As a result, the majority of immigrants in Kansas City’s immigration court go through the process without any legal counsel at all.
Why Legal Counsel Matters in Immigration Court
Immigration law is known for being extremely complicated—second only to the tax code in its complexity. The rules, forms, and deadlines are hard to understand, even for people who speak English fluently. For immigrants who may not speak English as their first language, or who are unfamiliar with the U.S. legal system, the challenge is even greater.
Without legal counsel, immigrants face several serious problems:
- They may not know what forms to file or how to fill them out correctly.
- They might not understand their rights or the possible defenses they could use.
- They are less likely to win their cases, including requests for asylum or other forms of protection.
- They risk missing important deadlines, which can lead to automatic deportation.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, having a lawyer can make a huge difference in the outcome of an immigration case. Immigrants with legal counsel are much more likely to be allowed to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 than those who go through the process alone.
The Kansas City Immigration Court: A Closer Look
The Kansas City immigration court is located downtown and is one of 71 immigration courts across the country. The court has three immigration judges who hear cases and decide whether immigrants can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or must be deported. These judges often have to make decisions quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks.
Because so many immigrants appear without legal counsel, judges and court staff see firsthand how hard it is for people to defend themselves. The court’s heavy caseload and the complexity of the law mean that even small mistakes can have life-changing consequences.
Recent Changes: More ICE Arrests at Courts
Since June 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up its efforts to arrest noncitizens at federal immigration courts, including in Kansas City. This new approach has made many immigrants afraid to attend their court hearings. Some worry that if they show up, they might be arrested by ICE agents waiting outside or inside the courthouse.
This fear has led some immigrants to skip their hearings altogether. Unfortunately, missing a court date usually results in an automatic order of deportation, making their situation even worse.
Local immigration attorneys and advocates have responded by handing out “Know Your Rights” flyers in both English and Spanish. These materials explain what immigrants can do if they are approached by ICE and what their rights are during court proceedings. However, this outreach has sometimes led to tension with ICE agents and court security staff.
The Role of Legal Counsel: What Local Experts Say
Clare Murphy Shaw, Executive Director of Asylum Clinic Kansas City, describes the system as “completely stacked against immigrants.” She points out that without legal counsel, immigrants are at a huge disadvantage from the start. The lack of appointed lawyers means that many people never get a fair chance to present their case.
Genevra Alberti, an attorney at Martinez Immigration Law, explains the difficult choices immigrants face. With ICE making arrests at courthouses, immigrants are “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”—if they show up, they risk arrest; if they stay away, they risk being deported for missing court.
Jeffrey Y. Bennett, a Kansas City immigration attorney with over 10 years of experience, says that the frequent changes in immigration law make it even harder for immigrants to keep up. He offers legal services in Kansas City and tries to help as many people as possible, but the need is much greater than what any one lawyer or law firm can meet.
Limited Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services
There are some free or low-cost legal services available in Kansas City, but they are not enough to help everyone who needs them. The Department of Justice keeps a list of pro bono (free) legal service providers, and local organizations like Asylum Clinic Kansas City focus on helping specific groups, such as immigrant children.
However, these resources are stretched thin. Many immigrants, especially those who are detained or have little money, cannot get legal help. This leaves them to face the immigration court system alone.
Where to Find Legal Help
- Jeffrey Y. Bennett Law: Offers affordable payment plans and bilingual services (English/Spanish) for immigrants in Kansas City.
- Asylum Clinic Kansas City: Provides free legal help, mainly for immigrant children.
- Department of Justice Pro Bono Legal Service Providers: Lists organizations that offer free legal help for immigration cases. You can find the official list here.
- Know Your Rights Materials: Local attorneys distribute these flyers to help immigrants understand their legal protections.
The Impact on Immigrants and Their Families
The lack of legal counsel in Kansas City’s immigration court has real consequences for immigrants and their families. When people go to court without a lawyer, they are much less likely to win their cases. This means more families are separated, more people are deported, and more children are left without parents.
The fear of ICE arrests at courthouses adds another layer of stress. Some immigrants are so afraid of being picked up by ICE that they avoid court altogether, even though this almost always leads to a deportation order.
For those who do try to find legal counsel, the process can be long and frustrating. There are waiting lists for free legal services, and private attorneys can be expensive. Some immigrants turn to notarios or unlicensed “immigration consultants,” who often give bad advice or take advantage of people who are desperate for help.
Why the System Is This Way: Background and History
The reason immigrants do not have a right to a government-appointed lawyer in immigration court goes back to how the law treats deportation cases. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees a lawyer for people facing criminal charges, but deportation is considered a civil matter. Because of this, the government is not required to provide legal counsel for immigrants who cannot afford one.
This has been a problem for many years, not just in Kansas City but across the United States 🇺🇸. Advocacy groups and some lawmakers have called for changes to the law, arguing that the stakes in deportation cases are just as high as in criminal cases—sometimes even higher, since deportation can mean being separated from family, losing a job, or being sent back to a dangerous situation.
The recent increase in ICE courthouse arrests is part of a larger trend that began in the early 2020s. As federal enforcement actions have grown more aggressive, immigrants have become more fearful and less likely to attend court, making it even harder for them to get a fair hearing.
What This Means for Stakeholders
For Immigrants
- Without legal counsel, immigrants are much less likely to win their cases.
- Fear of ICE arrests at court can lead to missed hearings and automatic deportation.
- Limited access to affordable or free legal help means many must face the system alone.
For Families
- Family members may be separated if a loved one is deported.
- Children, especially those who are U.S. citizens, can be left without parents or caregivers.
- The stress and uncertainty affect the entire family’s well-being.
For Legal Counsel and Advocates
- Attorneys and legal aid organizations are overwhelmed by the demand for help.
- Pro bono resources are limited and cannot meet the need.
- Advocates must balance helping clients with pushing for broader changes to the system.
For the Community
- Fear and confusion about immigration enforcement can affect schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
- Local organizations must step in to fill gaps left by the lack of government support.
- Community trust in the legal system is weakened when people feel they cannot get a fair hearing.
Looking Ahead: Possible Changes and Ongoing Efforts
As of mid-2025, there are no federal laws requiring the government to provide lawyers for immigrants in deportation cases. However, advocacy groups continue to push for changes that would guarantee legal counsel for all immigrants facing removal.
In Kansas City, local organizations are working to expand their outreach and offer more pro bono services. They are also monitoring ICE courthouse arrests and sharing information with the public and the legal community. Still, the need for legal help far outweighs the resources available.
Some cities and states have started pilot programs to provide legal counsel for immigrants, but these efforts are still small compared to the size of the problem. Nationally, the debate continues over whether the government should guarantee a lawyer for every immigrant facing deportation.
What Immigrants in Kansas City Can Do
If you or someone you know is facing deportation in Kansas City, here are some steps you can take:
- Try to find legal counsel as soon as possible. Even if you cannot afford a private attorney, check with local legal aid groups or the Department of Justice’s list of pro bono providers.
- Attend all court hearings, even if you are afraid. Missing a hearing almost always leads to a deportation order.
- Learn your rights. Ask for “Know Your Rights” materials from local organizations or attorneys.
- Be careful about who you trust. Only get legal advice from licensed attorneys or accredited representatives. Avoid notarios or unlicensed consultants.
- Ask for help from community groups. Many local organizations can offer support, translation, or referrals to legal counsel.
Official Resources
For more information about immigration court procedures, legal counsel, and your rights, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Conclusion: The Need for Change
The situation in Kansas City highlights a national problem: most immigrants facing deportation do so without legal counsel, making it much harder for them to get a fair hearing. As enforcement actions increase and the law grows more complex, the need for legal help is greater than ever. Local organizations and attorneys are doing what they can, but without changes to the law or more resources, many immigrants will continue to face the system alone.
For immigrants, families, and the wider community, the stakes could not be higher. Access to legal counsel is not just a legal issue—it is a matter of fairness, justice, and basic human dignity. Until the system changes, the work of local advocates and legal counsel in Kansas City remains essential for those fighting to stay in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Immigration Court → A civil court where cases about deportation and immigration status are decided by judges.
Legal Counsel → A lawyer who represents and advises someone during legal proceedings or court cases.
Deportation → The formal removal of a foreign national from a country for violating laws or regulations.
ICE Arrests → Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining noncitizens, often at or near immigration courts.
Pro Bono → Legal services offered free of charge to individuals who cannot afford to pay.
This Article in a Nutshell
In Kansas City, immigrants face deportation without government-appointed lawyers. ICE arrests at courts increase fear, causing missed hearings. Local lawyers and advocates provide limited help amid high demand. Legal counsel dramatically improves case outcomes, highlighting urgent need for systemic changes and expanded support for immigrant justice.
— By VisaVerge.com
