Yes, immigrants do have the right to hire a lawyer to defend themselves in immigration court, however the cost of legal representation will be bore by the immigrants and you can not get legal aid for immigration cases. Unlike most Courts in the United States such as criminal courts, the Immigration Court is not required to provide an individual with access to free legal counsel. Most Immigration Courts, including the immigration court in Chicago will provide individuals with a fair opportunity to secure private counsel on their own volition, but at no expense to the Court or to the U.S. Government. It should be noted, an individual’s access to counsel in removal proceedings often makes a difference in the outcome of a case, as those represented in Immigration Court by immigration lawyers are far more likely to receive a favorable outcome in their case than those who go unrepresented throughout the duration of their proceedings.