"When forced by court order to reimplement the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy, the Biden administration pledged to improve the program by connecting those enrolled with free legal services. But many of the nation’s nonprofits that provide legal services to migrants have told the Biden team they won’t assist with what they see as an immoral policy, leaving the administration kicking off the first round of hearings for asylum seekers last week without any assurances they’ll be able to secure legal assistance for them. Under the program implemented by the Biden administration, migrants seeking asylum are blocked from entering the country and sent across the border to Mexico to await their U.S. court date, just as they were under the Trump administration. When the Department of Homeland Security announced its latest take on what is formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols in early December, it pledged to ensure migrants returned to Mexico would have phone and internet access to connect with attorneys if they are able to secure paid or pro bono legal assistance. But it also said it would proactively ask migrants in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol custody if they have a fear of returning to Mexico. Those who say “yes” would be given 24 hours to secure an attorney ahead of a formal interview to determine their case. Legal services providers however are broadly disinterested in assisting with what are formally known as non-refoulement interviews, even as the Justice Department has put out a call seeking help from attorneys."
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/589301-legal-aid-groups-want-little-to-no-part-of-re-upped-remain-in-mexico