No More Free Lawyers for Illegal Aliens

April 7, 2025 – Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock of the Texas Supreme Court has announced that the state-run program providing defense attorneys for illegal aliens will end by May. The program was initiated through an emergency order in August 2021, five months into Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star—a border security effort aimed at curbing illegal immigration. The order ensured that individuals detained during the operation who could not afford legal representation were provided with defense attorneys, in line with constitutional protections.

However, Chief Justice Blacklock and the court now believe that the program has fulfilled its temporary purpose. Citing a steady decline in caseloads—thanks in part to ramped-up border enforcement—the court sees no further need for this extraordinary legal measure. Critics and supporters alike are watching the move closely, with some concerned about how the change might affect due process for those still facing prosecution under Operation Lone Star.

The decision marks a significant shift in Texas’s legal approach to handling border-related cases and reflects the state’s evolving strategy amid ongoing immigration debates. Robert Montoya first reported the update, highlighting how the rollback aligns with broader efforts to wind down emergency protocols that were only meant to be temporary.