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Original Date Announced
April 25, 2025According to NBC and documents produced in American Gateways v. DOJ, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have terminated the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP) in every state except for Arizona, California and Washington, where it was originally established as part of a legal settlement. NQRP, created in 2013 by DOJ and DHS, provides counsel to people in immigration detention found by an immigration judge or the BIA to be mentally "incompetent" and therefore unable to represent themselves in deportation proceedings. An estimated 200 people were receiving services through NQRP.
Trump 2.0 [ID #1734]
2025.04.29 EOIR Director Email Terminating National Qualified Representative Program 2025.05.06 Trump cuts off most help for immigrants with mental illness or cognitive disabilities - NBCSubsequent Trump and Court Action
May 5, 20252025.05.0.5 Complaint - American Gateways v. DOJ
Nine organizations that provided legal representation under NQRP filed suit against DOJ, DHS, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and agency officials. Plaintiffs argue that terminating NQRP violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it is arbitrary and capricious, violates the Accardi doctrine, denies due process, and is contrary to the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Rehabilitation Act. American Gateways v. DOJ, No. 1:25-cv-01370 (D.D.C.).
**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
July 21, 20252025.07.21 Order Granting Preliminary Injunction - American Gateways v. DOJ
A district court granted plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, ordering DHS, DOJ, and EOIR to promptly reinstate the National Qualified Representative Program. American Gateways v. Dep't of Justice, No. 1:25-cv-01370 (D.D.C.).
**Link to case here. See litigation note above**
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Reported In LitigationTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: Hearings and Adjudications HumanitarianAssociated or Derivative Policies
- January 20, 2025 EO 14159 ยง 19 directs DOJ and DHS to review, pause, terminate, and claw back contracts or grants with NGOs serving "removable or illegal aliens"
- January 22, 2025 DOJ orders federally funded legal service providers to stop work on legal aid programs
- January 31, 2025 EOIR's Office of Legal Access Programs Condemned as "Wasteful"
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
- New Policy
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
Complaint - American Gateways v. DOJ
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
Order Granting Preliminary Injunction - American Gateways v. DOJ
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