Several immigration legal groups have filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., challenging the Trump administration's decision to end the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP), which provided legal representation to detained immigrants with mental disabilities. The program, which served around 200 individuals across the U.S., continues only in Arizona, California, and Washington due to a prior legal settlement.
The plaintiffs argue that ending the program puts vulnerable immigrants—those with mental illness, cognitive impairments, or traumatic brain injuries—at risk of unjust deportation, including to countries where they may face serious harm.
Attorneys involved in the case say the termination immediately impacted individuals in detention, leaving immigration courts without the legal support needed for those unable to represent themselves. The NQRP helped immigrants obtain medical evaluations, access treatment, and reconnect with family, and was seen by judges as a tool that improved efficiency in the court system.
The original program was established following a 2013 settlement involving a cognitively disabled immigrant who was held for nearly five years without a hearing or lawyer. The Obama administration later expanded the program nationally. Legal groups argue that removing it now is both harmful and discriminatory against individuals with disabilities. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include several regional and national immigrant advocacy organizations.
Reference:
Gamboa, Suzanne. “Trump cuts off most help for immigrant with mental illness or cognitive disabilities” NBC News. May 6, 2025.
