In federal immigration courts across Los Angeles, Indigenous migrants who speak Mixtec, K’iche’ or many of the dozens of Indigenous languages spoken in LA County don’t receive translation services they need and are legally entitled to, advocates tell LA Public Press.
Attorneys and organizers said by not providing translation services, the federal government is unfairly punishing people who might not understand their immigration hearings.

Across the 72 U.S. immigration courts, non-citizens in court proceedings are guaranteed due process under the Constitution. That means immigrants have the right to defend themselves in court proceedings by requesting government-provided interpretation in their preferred language.

With nearly 26 million people living in the U.S. with limited English proficiency, according to a 2025 federal report, timely access to interpreters can determine whether some remains in ICE custody indefinitely or accepts a deportation order without understanding its legal consequences.

To learn more, read the full story by Martín Macías, Jr. (@entre_todo.s) via the link in our bio or at LAPublicPress.org.