The Trump administration has quietly dismantled a key office within the Department of Justice (DOJ) that for more than six decades facilitated access to legal representation for low-income immigrants, according to information released by CBS News and confirmed by sources close to the process.

The goal of the initiative is to increase the availability of "competent" legal representation in immigration matters for low-income and indigent people, thereby promoting an effective and efficient administration of justice, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

However, according to sources with direct knowledge, the lawyers in charge of operating the program were reassigned last week to immigration courts, leaving only two administrative employees without the authority to approve new accreditations or renewals.

Reassignments and lack of clarity

The reassignment orders were reportedly issued by Jamee Comans, an interim official in the EOIR's Office of Policy. The affected lawyers began reporting to their new posts this week, where, according to sources, they were placed in entry-level roles, a move that has raised concerns within the system.

So far, the Justice Department has not made an official announcement regarding these changes. An EOIR spokesperson declined to comment on personnel matters, while an administration official asserted that the program will not be eliminated, as it is mandated by federal regulation.

Impact on a saturated system

Legal organizations and immigrant advocates have expressed concern about the impact of this measure on an already overburdened immigration system. Anna Gallagher, executive director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., called the situation “alarming” and warned that the program not only saves lives but also helps reduce the backlog in the courts.

“The system is already overwhelmed and the lawyers can’t keep up. Any attempt to stop this program will only worsen the situation,” he said.

This measure adds to other recent actions by the Department of Justice that have tightened access to the immigration legal system. These include the elimination of legal guidance programs for vulnerable migrants, the dismissal of more than 100 immigration judges, and new restrictions on appealing adverse decisions.

In addition, recent rulings have expanded the mandatory detention of immigrants who cross the border without inspection, increasing the pressure on federal courts and detention centers.

For specialists like Greg Chen of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, accredited representatives are essential to ensuring fair processes. “Many immigrants don’t understand the legal system or speak English fluently. Without this assistance, they are at a clear disadvantage,” he stated.

Peggy Gleason, an attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, went further, stating that this dismantling represents an “attack on religious freedom.” The program, which originated in the 1950s, has deep roots in faith communities that consider assisting the needy a pastoral duty.

By administratively strangling the program, the government is not only halting the legal flow of cases, but also blocking the humanitarian work of hundreds of churches and organizations across the country. Although sources indicated that the program could be transferred to another understaffed office, uncertainty remains about its immediate future.

Meanwhile, advocates warn that the disruption of this service represents a significant blow to access to justice for thousands of immigrants in the United States.