Political and Legislative
Advocates Are Hoping That Biden’s New Order Will Help Improve Access to Courts for People Facing Immigration and Eviction Cases
An order signed by President Biden this past week seeking to make legal representation more attainable has advocates hopeful it could improve access to civil courts — including for those facing eviction or immigration penalties.
The order, signed by Biden on Tuesday, directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to devise a plan for expanding access not just to public defenders but also to the civil court system, where legal representation is not guaranteed by the government.
It’s an issue advocates say is timely since the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could lead to a surge in tenants and homeowners fighting evictions and foreclosures as well as those pushing for medical assistance.
