Not the OP, but responding to a couple of points. Regarding medical marijuana, I believe the right approach is to change the law, not to flaunt the law. And we

Not the OP, but responding to a couple of points. Regarding medical marijuana, I believe the right approach is to change the law, not to flaunt the law. And we've seen that already in many states legalizing marijuana. Regarding the use of the word illegal, it is the proper legal terminology. An alien is classified as either legal or illegal, depending on their status to enter and stay in the US. The legal/illegal refers to their alien status, not the person. And this ties into the third point. The reason immigration court doesn't provide counsel is just as you've stated--it is a civil matter, not criminal. Right to attorney doesn't apply to civil cases. On the converse, make immigration law violations a criminal act, and the accused has right to counsel.