According to a recent study, Orange County, California, has one of the highest rates of people in the state who are at risk of being deported. Titled “The State of Immigration Enforcement and Legal Resources in Orange County” and conducted by the Orange County Justice Fund (OCJF), the study highlights the staggering number of more than 2.1 million immigration cases awaiting decisions from immigration judges.
In response to the growing backlog of immigration cases, the Department of Justice established an immigration court in Santa Ana in November 2021. The court aimed to address the unprecedented number of residents in Orange County with pending immigration cases. Sabrina Rivera, the executive director of OCJF, expressed concerns about the lack of due process when the immigration laws themselves are perceived as unjust.
For individuals like Laura Hernandez, who is awaiting her immigration hearing, navigating the complex legal system is an arduous task. Hernandez continues to live in fear of potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the report, there are nearly 23,000 deportation cases pending decisions from immigration judges at the Santa Ana immigration court. As of February 2023, the court has already deported 2,448 people.
Dr. Blanca Ramirez, the author of the report, finds the presence of an immigration court in Santa Ana ironic, considering it is Orange County’s only sanctuary city. Ramirez questions the cruelty of having an immigration court situated within the confines of a city that provides sanctuary for immigrants.
The report also emphasizes the lack of legal representation for many individuals who are forced to navigate the immigration court system alone due to insufficient resources. Orange County District 2 Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, a lawyer himself, recognizes the limited chances of success for those appearing in court without legal representation, despite having compelling arguments.
OCJF is urging county leaders and other influential figures to allocate additional resources to support individuals facing deportation. Without increased support and funding for these resources, the organization warns that more community members will face deportation. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, the Orange County Justice Fund remains hopeful that community members and other legal resources will step up to assist in addressing this critical issue.
