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The job of an immigration lawyer is never easy. But under President Donald Trump’s second administration (2025), it has become significantly more demanding, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. Lawyers in this field aren’t just filling out forms—they’re on the legal frontlines, navigating policy whiplash, advising panicked clients, and defending constitutional rights against an onslaught of anti-immigration policies. The administration’s crackdown has also intensified scrutiny on attorney conduct, emphasizing the need for ethical practices and accountability.
I find myself in consultations with clients, acting more like a therapist than a lawyer. Trying to soothe their fears, but at the same time, provide good, honest, counsel, even if it’s not good news.
I try to actively listen to my clients, to hear their concerns, and then provide them the information and tools to protect them, and hopefully gain control of their immigration narrative. At times, my clients are asking me the same question, in different but repetitive ways, wanting to hear a different answer or to confirm that they are indeed safe.
In the end, as lawyers, we are trying to do our best to keep our clients safe. But we also need to take care of the whole person, not just the legal issue being presented.
We also have to practice self-care, which is particularly important as the Trump administrative seeks to target immigration lawyers for providing legal representation to immigrants (see below.)
In this article, we break down what it’s really like being an immigration attorney right now, how this administration has transformed the legal landscape, and why lawyers continue fighting despite the odds.
The Return of Hardline Policies—and Then Some
Trump’s second term has brought not just a return of his first-term policies, but an escalation. These policies include stricter enforcement of federal rules governing the conduct of immigration lawyers. Immigration attorneys now face:
- Harsher asylum rules: New restrictions disqualify many asylum-seekers who transited through other countries or missed fast-approaching deadlines.
- Expansion of travel bans: More countries, including some with political instability or religious minorities, are being targeted.
- Ideological screenings: Visa applicants are now subject to questions about their political beliefs or social media history, sparking legal concerns.
- Push to end birthright citizenship: The administration has revived attempts to restrict automatic citizenship to children of undocumented parents—setting off lawsuits.
- Increased denial rates: Routine applications are now more likely to be rejected, often for arbitrary or minor technical reasons.
Did you know? During Trump’s first term, over 400 immigration-related executive actions were issued. His second term is on track to exceed that pace. Read a full breakdown of Trump-era immigration actions
The Human Toll: Fear, Confusion, and Self-Deportation
Immigration attorney Andrea Lino describes the current moment as “chaotic.” But it’s not just policy—it’s psychology. The uncertainty surrounding their legal status exacerbates the fear and confusion among immigrant communities. Many immigrants are making life-altering decisions out of fear:
- Panic among communities: Even lawful residents are afraid to engage with government agencies or use public services.
- Misinformation spreads fast: Lawyers spend much of their time correcting viral rumors on WhatsApp, TikTok, or community forums.
- Voluntary departures: Some clients choose to leave the U.S. rather than risk detention—a deterrence tactic the administration seems to welcome.
Silent Raids and Discreet Detentions
Rather than the media spectacles of workplace raids, today’s enforcement often happens quietly:
- Routine ICE check-ins turn into arrests
- Long-time residents detained without warning
- Increased use of immigration detention—including for people with no criminal record
Lawyers must stay on high alert, sometimes filing emergency motions at night or over weekends. One attorney noted, “You never know when a routine day turns into a crisis.”
For those seeking legal help: Find an immigration attorney through AILA
Policy Shifts With No Warning
Another daily challenge: rapidly changing policies that take effect instantly. These changes often come as directives from federal agencies, leaving lawyers scrambling to adapt.
- A new asylum rule might kick in overnight, forcing lawyers to adjust or file cases in a rush.
- Clients may become suddenly ineligible for relief they were counting on.
- Regulations may be published without time for public comment.
This “regulatory whiplash” keeps attorneys glued to policy memos, legal webinars, and professional listservs.
High Burnout, But High Purpose
The emotional and mental toll is severe:
- High stress scores: A 2024 study showed immigration attorneys experience stress levels comparable to trauma counselors.
- Burnout is real: Some seasoned lawyers have left the field entirely, citing the emotional exhaustion.
- Rocket dockets: Immigration courts are fast-tracking deportation cases, giving lawyers mere days to prepare what should take months.
But there’s also resilience:
- Lawyers rally together: Sharing templates, strategies, and moral support in real time.
- Pro bono armies: Many attorneys volunteer at airports, detention centers, and border towns.
- Community empowerment: Law firms and nonprofits offer Know Your Rights trainings, legal clinics, and public education events.
Learn more about burnout in immigration law from this report by the Immigration Advocates Network
Immigration law is challenging on top of all the crazy changes.
The following quotes sort of sum up the byzantine, kafkesque nature of immigration law.
“Immigration law is a mystery and a mastery of obfuscation, and the lawyers who can figure it out are worth their weight in gold.”
– INS spokeswoman Karen Kraushaar, 2001“Immigration law is second only to tax law in complexity” Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Castro-O’Ryan v. U.S. Dep’t of Immigr. & Naturalization, 847 F.2d. 1307, 1312 (9th Cir. 1988).
Advising Clients in an Age of Fear
Immigration attorneys are now part legal expert, part crisis counselor. They help clients build legal strategies—and personal safety plans. Adhering to professional conduct rules is crucial in providing accurate and ethical advice to clients.
Here’s what many now advise:
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