“We Call It Dark Times”: Attorney Experiences in Federal Immigration Court

This study focuses on the lived experiences of nine attorneys dedicated to representing individuals who are undocumented in federal immigration court and federal criminal court. The participants came from three distinct professional backgrounds in immigration: five were from private practices, two were from non-profits, and two were federal defenders. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, my participants shared their challenges and experiences practicing law specifically in the context of immigration under the Trump administration. I incorporated Critical Race Theory and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) in my analysis for this study. Attorneys shared that they are navigating the shifting administrative priorities and intentions related to immigration law, adjusting their roles as advocates in a rapidly changing immigration system, and experiencing stress and mental health challenges as a result of this current political climate. These themes highlight crucial concerns and challenges my participants currently face in their profession.