Three years ago, asylum seekers entering a courtroom had a 50 percent chance of gaining protection. Today, that chance has dropped to just 6 percent. A new rule, effective since this summer, allows asylum officers to direct asylum seekers straight to immigration court without an interview. This is part of a broader strategy to tighten evidentiary standards and compress timelines to boost deportations.
As the system becomes tougher, the importance of legal representation has grown. Immigrants with legal counsel are 4.7 times more likely to secure relief compared to their unrepresented counterparts. Skilled attorneys can guide clients through the asylum process and explore alternative avenues for protection.
Despite the need, over half of immigrants nationwide lack representation due to affordability and access challenges. In rural America, this issue is pressing. Approximately 1.8 million immigrants reside here, playing vital roles in communities. They form 28 percent of the rural agricultural workforce and 14 percent of rural physicians.
The scarcity of legal professionals in these areas is stark. Rural America houses 20 percent of the U.S. population and only 2 percent of attorneys. “Legal deserts” exist where few attorneys — often working pro bono — cover vast regions.
AI technology could significantly impact rural legal deserts. An average asylum application demands 50 to 75 hours of research, case management, and document preparation over months.
AI excels in reducing time on research and repetitive administrative tasks, enabling more time for client interaction. As a student in Vermont and New Hampshire, I helped a local nonprofit attorney conduct case research. That experience led to the creation of AI research software for asylum claims.
The adoption of AI in law is increasing. Many legal entities have incorporated AI into their workflows. Thomson Reuters reported that AI for Justice has enabled legal nonprofits to prepare case materials 75 percent faster. The Innocence Center reduced the time for wrongful-conviction petitions by half.
A UC Berkeley study found that 90 percent of legal aid lawyers using AI tools saw productivity gains, especially in research and document work. However, AI’s limitations, like hallucinated data, must be considered. Effective tools mitigate these issues with audit logs and verifiability requirements, alongside attorney supervision.
AI should be seen as a leverage source for attorneys rather than a replacement. While discussions often center on AI’s threat to jobs, its ability to bolster capacity in under-resourced sectors deserves attention. This is crucial in rural immigration law and other areas needing expanded representation and services.
Ella Tesone, a high school student from Norwich, Vermont, founded Asyla LLC, providing AI-powered software for immigration attorneys.