Trump Targets Immigration Lawyers in New Crackdown

Memo orders sanctions, reviews, and stricter oversight of attorneys in asylum and immigration cases.

WASHINGTON — On Friday night, President Trump ordered a crackdown on immigration lawyers it accuses of helping clients file dishonest or fraudulent asylum claims, calling for tougher enforcement of professional conduct rules.

In a memo issued by the White House at 10:14 PM Eastern, President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to take action against attorneys and law firms that allegedly coach migrants to lie or hide their past to gain legal status in the U.S. The memo, obtained by Migrant Insider, claims these actions undermine national security and overload the immigration system. As of right now, the memo is not up on the White House website.

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The order alleges misconduct by lawyers working in immigration and asylum cases, including large law firms offering free legal services. It says these attorneys are helping clients bypass immigration policies by submitting false or misleading information to federal agencies and courts.

Specifically, the administration is directing top officials to:

• Enforce existing disciplinary rules that apply to lawyers in immigration proceedings.

• Seek sanctions against lawyers who file meritless or abusive cases against the government.

• Review past legal cases going back eight years to identify potential misconduct.

• Recommend further steps — including canceling federal contracts or revoking security clearances — for attorneys or law firms found to have broken the rules.

The memo cites federal rules that already require attorneys to have a factual and legal basis for their claims and not to use lawsuits to harass or delay. It also highlights specific federal regulations that govern attorney conduct in immigration courts.

The Attorney General is instructed to report back to the president on law firm compliance and recommend further action when necessary.

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Implications of the Order
The directive signals a major shift in how the federal government may seek to police immigration-related legal work. By targeting lawyers who represent migrants, the administration is focusing not just on policy enforcement but on the legal infrastructure that supports asylum and immigration claims.

The memo could lead to increased scrutiny of attorneys in immigration court, more frequent disciplinary actions, and potential legal or financial consequences for firms that represent migrants.

It also introduces the possibility of retroactive reviews of past litigation, which may affect cases already decided or still in progress. Law firms with federal contracts or attorneys holding security clearances could face new risks if found to have engaged in conduct the administration deems unethical.

While the memo’s dubious goal is to preserve the integrity of the legal system and national security, the order may reshape the relationship between immigration lawyers and the federal government, and potentially influence how future legal challenges to immigration policies are handled.

Full Memo Text