Written by Josh Jones
For millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States, misinformation and lack of legal knowledge are among the biggest barriers to stability. Many do not realize they qualify for legal protections such as asylum, T visas for trafficking victims, or relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Immigration attorney Hillary Walsh of New Frontier Immigration Law believes that expanding access to accurate information can significantly change the lives of those living in uncertainty.
“The most common thing I hear from clients is that they didn’t know they had options,” Walsh said. “Education is the first step to getting people out of fear and into security.”
According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 10.5 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., with many working in industries such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality. Despite their contributions to the economy, legal barriers often prevent them from securing stable jobs, housing, and healthcare. For Walsh, addressing these challenges starts with education.
Misinformation and Fear Keep Families in the Shadows
Undocumented immigrants frequently rely on word-of-mouth advice from friends, family, or community members who may not have accurate legal information. This misinformation leads to unnecessary risks, such as falling victim to fraudulent legal services or failing to file for relief they qualify for. In a 2022 survey by the American Immigration Council, nearly 60% of undocumented respondents said they feared seeking legal help due to concerns about deportation.
Walsh emphasizes that fear prevents many immigrants from taking even the first step toward legal security. Without clear, accessible education about their rights, they often assume there is no way forward. Legal literacy programs, she argues, are crucial in shifting this dynamic.
Nonprofits and legal aid organizations have made strides in providing workshops and informational resources, but the demand far exceeds the supply. Walsh advocates for more investment in community-based legal education programs, especially in areas with large immigrant populations.
Training Legal Professionals to Serve Immigrant Communities
Another challenge is the lack of immigration-focused legal professionals who understand the complexities of family-based and humanitarian immigration cases. Walsh has worked to fill this gap by creating a training program for legal assistants specializing in immigration law. The program is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge needed to guide immigrants through the system effectively.
Immigration courts in the U.S. face a backlog of more than 1.3 million cases, with wait times averaging four years, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). The shortage of qualified legal assistance exacerbates this problem, leaving many without representation. By training more legal professionals to handle these cases, Walsh hopes to reduce the backlog and help more families navigate the legal process successfully.
Walsh’s program is part of a broader effort to expand the availability of competent legal services, particularly for low-income immigrants who cannot afford private attorneys. She believes that increasing the number of trained professionals will create a ripple effect, empowering entire communities with knowledge and resources.
Beyond the Courtroom: Empowering Immigrants Through Self-Advocacy
While legal representation is critical, Walsh argues that education must also empower immigrants to advocate for themselves. Many do not realize that certain rights apply to them regardless of immigration status. For example, all children in the U.S. have the right to public education under the Supreme Court’s 1982 ruling in Plyler v. Doe, yet some undocumented families keep their children out of school out of fear.
“Legal education is not just about winning cases,” Walsh said. “It’s about making sure immigrants know their rights in everyday situations—at work, at school, and even when interacting with law enforcement.”
Community organizations that provide Know Your Rights training have reported that when immigrants understand their legal standing, they are less vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Workers who are aware of labor laws, for example, are less likely to endure wage theft or unsafe working conditions.
The Role of Digital Platforms in Expanding Legal Education
Recognizing that many undocumented individuals lack access to traditional legal resources, Walsh has embraced digital platforms to bridge the gap. Her podcast, Immigration Law Made Easy, breaks down complex legal topics into accessible discussions, reaching listeners who might otherwise struggle to access reliable information.
Walsh believes that using social media, webinars, and virtual consultations can help provide immigrants with accurate, up-to-date legal information. These tools also make legal education more widely available, especially for those living in rural areas without access to immigration attorneys.
Expanding Access to Legal Education
Walsh remains focused on expanding legal education initiatives. She supports integrating legal literacy into school curriculums in immigrant-heavy communities, ensuring that young people grow up with a clear understanding of their rights and opportunities.
She also advocates for increased funding for legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost services. Expanding partnerships between legal professionals and community groups, she argues, can make legal education a fundamental part of immigrant support systems.
“The more people understand their legal rights, the harder it becomes for bad actors to take advantage of them,” Walsh said. “Education is the foundation of true security.”
With misinformation and fear continuing to pose significant barriers, efforts to increase legal literacy remain essential. For Walsh, equipping immigrants with knowledge is not just about legal outcomes—it is about creating a future where individuals and families can live with dignity and stability.
