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douglas9

(5,552 posts) Sun Dec 7, 2025, 07:45 AM Dec 7

Three-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court [View all]

Three-year-old Lucy approached the lawyer’s table wearing a multi-colored and floral dress and bright red pants.

The child, barely old enough to talk, was one of 25 immigrant children forced to fight removal efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the Pima County immigration courthouse in Tucson on Nov. 24.

Unable to reach the chair on her own, Lucy was lifted into the seat by Ana Islas, a lawyer with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP), a nonprofit providing legal services to immigrants.

Islas pulled out a brown teddy bear to ease the toddler’s nerves while she faced Judge Irene C. Feldman. Islas is not formally representing Lucy, but provided Feldman with information regarding Lucy’s case due to her age and inability to understand immigration proceedings.

Lucy and the other unaccompanied minors who are fighting removal orders must appear in front of the judge, many without the help of a lawyer, to defend themselves from accusations of illegal entry into the US.

https://coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/childrens-immigration-court/

32 replies

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Three-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court [View all] douglas9 Dec 7 OP

This is idiocy. Jim__ Dec 7 #1

Not only is it idiocy, Mr. Evil Dec 7 #29

not sure how "the courts" or "our institutions" will save us when this is what happens WhiskeyGrinder Dec 7 #2

That's the problem with this country: the 'toddler' needing prosecution is never prosecuted. Xavier Breath Dec 7 #3

Too many Americans voted for a convicted felon IronLionZion Dec 7 #7

Wow, this is America? Emile Dec 7 #4

The America we thought we knew is gone, destroyed by the Republican Party and the uber wealthy. Lonestarblue Dec 7 #8

This is peak America. LuvLoogie Dec 7 #12

Hear Hear! OldBaldy1701E Dec 7 #14

John Oliver did a whole show about this Danmel Dec 7 #5

Your link is broken infullview Dec 7 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author Danmel Dec 7 #11

Fixed. Danmel Dec 7 #13

worked for me, but I saw it when it aired mountain grammy Dec 7 #22

This is truly insane and horrifying, and I'm afraid to ask 'what next?' Biophilic Dec 7 #6

This is what Christianity is about JI7 Dec 7 #9

History will look so kindly on this fine nation of ours Orrex Dec 7 #15

That will depend on who is writing that history. Midnight Writer Dec 7 #17

Yikes. That's true. Orrex Dec 7 #19

In addition, Trump is busily firing immigration judges that are "too lenient". Midnight Writer Dec 7 #16

+1 dalton99a Dec 7 #20

Aren't You Glad MissouriDem47 Dec 7 #18

The "Orange is the New Black" TV series did a scene about children in immigration hearings teach1st Dec 7 #21

Are you fucking kidding me? Joinfortmill Dec 7 #23

The United States has run its course. It had a good run. The carcass should be divided up between Canada and Mexico. RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Dec 7 #24

We are a sick fucking nation. Solly Mack Dec 7 #25

I thought this would be the Onion mvd Dec 7 #26

What the hell have we become? pandr32 Dec 7 #27

Three year old attorney, four year old President. twodogsbarking Dec 7 #28

This is unconscionable. It is entirely beyond the pale. Texin Dec 7 #30

Surrealy Obscene! electric_blue68 Dec 7 #31

Who the hell wrote this into law? What an awful shitshow our justice system is. IcyPeas Dec 7 #32