Court rejects class-action over lawyers for immigrant kids

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal appeals court panel on Tuesday rejected a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of children who go without lawyers in deportation proceedings, despite saying that having kids represent themselves in such complex matters is "an extremely difficult situation."

U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly ruled that the children could pursue their claims that being denied lawyers violated their due-process rights, but three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision.

Advocates for the children, including the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the American Civil Liberties Union chapters of Washington state and Southern California, said they would seek a new hearing with more judges.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the nation has a moral obligation to provide the children with lawyers for immigration proceedings, even if they aren't constitutionally entitled to one, and President Barack Obama's administration has taken some steps to improve representation, such as by spending $1.8 million on living expenses for 100 legal fellows who focus on such cases around the country.