Immigration attorney Karla Navarrete describes her practice as a "deportation mill," noting that most of her clients have little chance of remaining in the United States under current laws. Navarrete, who works six days a week, expressed distress over the increased demand for her services, attributing the challenging legal landscape to policies enacted under the Trump administration, influenced by figures like Stephen Miller, and exacerbated by congressional actions and court decisions.
Navarrete, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, operates a rapidly expanding practice in South Gate, California, with satellite offices in Chino and downtown Los Angeles. Her office is adorned with mementos from grateful clients, including a rosary crafted from bread by an individual in a detention facility. Her day typically begins at sunrise, preparing for a demanding schedule of virtual and in-person court hearings and consultations.
A significant portion of Navarrete's clients seek asylum due to violence in their home countries, but often face bureaucratic hurdles, such as issues with court uploading systems. Her personal life is also impacted by immigration complexities, with a family member facing deportation and her husband navigating a lost green card that threatens their travel plans.
The attorney frequently delivers difficult news, informing clients about the slim possibilities of their spouses remaining in the U.S. or the necessity of lengthy absences from family to qualify for legal status. She acknowledges the emotional toll of her work, noting that many clients are middle-aged men who opt for deportation over indefinite detention. Navarrete herself faces personal immigration challenges with her husband's green card status.
Despite the overwhelming nature of her caseload and the frequency of negative outcomes, Navarrete finds motivation in the occasional "win." She views her work as a direct challenge to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency she considers her "arch-nemesis." Even as the system strains her personal life and professional capacity, she remains committed to advocating for her clients, though she candidly states that the current immigration system offers few rights.
