Translation is hard for asylum-seekers. Trump is making it harder.

In mid-August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Elias Gonzales in East Oakland, subjecting him to two months in a Tacoma detention facility that left him traumatized. His attorney, Abby Sullivan Engen, noted that Gonzales, who speaks an indigenous Mayan language and has a hearing impairment, did not receive adequate interpretation services during his detention. His family's private attorney failed to address his specialized needs, conducting consultations in Spanish, which Gonzales struggled to understand, resulting in a deficient asylum application. The Trump administration's policies have made language access increasingly challenging for asylum seekers, exacerbating issues in legal proceedings. Gonzales was released on October 28 following a successful habeas petition filed by his attorney.

Despite his release, he must now contend with the trauma of detention and a flawed asylum application. This situation underscores the critical importance of language services in the asylum process, as inadequate expression can jeopardize an asylum seeker's case. As immigration courts face budget cuts and increased caseloads, local nonprofits are stepping in to fill the gaps.