Nonetheless, while the Holder ruling opens one channel for relief, the immigration system is full of people who must fight deportation with no legal help, because current law does not guarantee government-appointed counsel. The American Bar Association argues that without comprehensive policies for providing counsel in deportation, the legal process will remain inherently unequal for the immigrants most vulnerable to unjust exile:

By statute, persons in removal proceedings have “the privilege of being represented,” but “at no expense to the Government.” As a result, most immigrants must negotiate this process without counsel. Not surprisingly, pro se immigrants fare far more poorly in these proceedings than do those with legal representation. Put differently, removal cases too often turn on an immigrant’s income, rather than on the merits of his or her claim.

Immigrants lost in the system often wind up in the hands of shady private attorneys, which could lead not only to errors in court, but financial devastation as well. Immigrants in detention have little chance of meaningful relief if they lack access to an advocate who can help them prepare their documentation and legal defense.

Meanwhile, the immigration courts are notoriously overburdened and clogged with inefficiency.

You'd think by now, the government would realize that it's not just the immigrants who could use a good lawyer.