U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Amir Ali issued an order this July 21, 2025 for the government, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, to reinstate the program that assigns attorneys to immigrants who, due to mental health reasons, cannot represent themselves in deportation and bond hearings. The measure was suspended in April 2025 under the Trump administration, without warning of its impact on vulnerable people.
The program-launched in 2013 under Barack Obama and known as the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP)-allowed immigration courts to assign qualified legal representatives to defendants found mentally incompetent. The suspension was done “for convenience,” with no official explanation or assessment of consequences.
Basis of the ruling
Judge Amir Ali noted that the elimination of the program was “arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law.”
Since the effect on the administration of justice and the affected population was not evaluated.
Ordered that similar or equivalent mechanisms be reimplemented to ensure legal representation for confidential informants at bond and deportation hearings.
La suspensión se realizó 'por conveniencia'
QuéOnnda.com
Although Judge Amir Ali did not specify the exact method, he demanded restoring access to the program.
It also authorized the courts to appoint lawyers when necessary, thus guaranteeing the rights of vulnerable persons.
Impact on Hispanic communities
Buzzy
Enhanced protection: people with mental illness regain the right to representation.
Fairer process: helps avoid unilateral judicial decisions on deportations.
Hope for organizers: activists and NGOs consider the ruling a positive precedent for future immigration policies.
What’s next?
DHS and DOJ officials must implement federal Judge Amir H. Ali’s ruling “immediately.”
If they fail to do so, they could face sanctions.
Organizations such as the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Amica Center, which filed the lawsuit, hope to reinstate the program nationwide soon.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
