Carlos Batara – Immigration Lawyer header image
Carlos Batara - Immigration Attorney

Shortage Of Ancient Mayan Language Translators At Immigration Courts

– Posted in: Immigration Court

need-for-mayan-language-translators

Many immigration clients, advocates, pundits, and commentators often overlook the little things that can make a big difference in court cases.

Like translators.

The role of interpreters seems a given to those who infrequently step into a courtroom.  But those of us who live within those four walls day in and day out know the reality.

Good interpreters make a hugh difference.

Good interpreters ensure a modicum of due process.

One Million Backlogged Immigration Court Cases And Growing

– Posted in: Immigration Court

immigrant-court-backlog-impacts-children-facing-deportation

One hour, 10.5 minutes.

That’s how much time, on the average, an immigration judge had to dedicate to an immigrant’s case at the Los Angeles immigration court per year.

If you’re one of the thousands of Angelinos, who has been summoned to 606 South Olive,  in overcrowded Los Angeles, to an overcrowded court, consider yourself lucky.

Immigration judges nationwide get less time to review similar matters.

The Absence Of Neutrality At Immigration Court

– Posted in: Immigration Court

Henry Adams was right.

immigration-justice-not-politics

A great teacher affects eternity; no one knows where his or her influence stops.

Larry Schwartz, my college history instructor, was that type of educator.

Outside my parents, Professor Schwartz was the most influential person in my life.  As an educator, he guided my studies of social, racial, and political injustices. As a mentor, he inspired me to become a professional dedicated to helping the downtrodden and disadvantaged.

He taught me, above all else, that law is the ultimate instrument of political power.

Too Much Due Process For Immigrants In Deportation Hearings?

– Posted in: Immigration Court

justice-blindfolded-not-hoodwinked

The immigration court system has many flaws. Too much due process is not one of them.

A few years back, Law Professor Bennett L. Gershman aptly described how immigration courts work:

“Imagine a legal proceeding where the judge is hired by the chief prosecutor, the defendant is charged with an unintelligible offense, he has no lawyer to defend him, the proceedings are conducted in a language he does not understand, and the punishment is banishment from his home, his livelihood, and his family for the rest of his life.”

Immigration Courts: The Neglected Children Of Immigration Reform

– Posted in: Immigration Court

broken-immigration-court-system

Earlier this week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials announced the opening of a new detention center in Southern California.

I have a better idea.  Build an immigration court.  Hire some new judges.  Update  equipment and add support staff.

As a long time practitioner of deportation defense, I know how badly the judiciary is overworked.

And I understand how this undermines the ability of immigrants to defend themselves at immigration court.