The Limits of Pro Se Assistance in Immigration Proceedings: Discussion of NWIRP v. Sessions

This Article discusses issues regarding assistance of pro se litigants in the context of immigration law. In particular, Part II of this Article highlights programs such as the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) and Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) that attempt to alleviate some of the inherent difficulties non-citizen detainees face in immigration proceedings. Part III of this Article focuses on a 2008 Regulation by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), which calls for discipline against attorneys that engage in a pattern or practice of failing to enter a Notice of Appearance when engaged in practice or preparation. Lastly, Part IV of this Article discusses a recent case brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) against the EOIR, the potential impact of this case on similar programs offering assistance to pro se immigrants, and recent developments in the litigation