Immigrants: Ruling Wednesday and Justice Department

immigrants: The Justice Department last month sent the group a cease-and-desist letter saying it cannot provide certain legal assistance to immigrants unless it undertakes formal representation of them in court, according to The Chronicle Herald. The non-profit says it doesn't have the resources to do that, as formal representation can require intensive investigation of a client's case and remaining involved until its resolution. U.S. District Judge Richard Jones issued his ruling Wednesday immediately following oral arguments in a lawsuit brought by the non-profit Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The order would force it and similar groups around the country to stop preparing motions and other documents on behalf of immigrants who represent themselves, the organization said. He barred the Justice Department from sending such letters to any other non-profit organizations doing similar work around the nation. The judge agreed that the Justice Department's action would violate the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project's constitutional rights to freedom of speech, association and to petition the government, and that the cease-and-desist letter would limit its work forcing many immigrants to go without legal help, since people facing deportation are not entitled to an attorney the way criminal defendants are. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.