COVID-19
Note: Policies are rapidly changing, so please verify information on the relevant government websites and with colleagues as best you can.
EOIR Status Overview & EOIR Court Status Map/List: Hearings in non-detained cases at courts without an announced date are postponed through, and including, December 11, 2020. NYC non-detained remains closed for hearings.
TOP NEWS
Asylum Ruling Halts Restrictions in New Rule
Lawfare: On Nov. 19, Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California held that a new asylum rule exceeded the power of both the attorney general and the Department of Homeland Security and issued a nationwide temporary restraining order against the rule’s implementation.
Judge Halts ‘Public Health’ Expulsions of Children at the Border
NYT: A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a public health emergency decree did not give the Trump administration authority to expel unaccompanied children before they could request asylum.
Trump administration revives talk of action on birthright citizenship
The Hill: The administration is aware the order would be promptly challenged in court, but officials would hope to get a ruling on whether birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment, according to one source familiar with the plans. Many lawmakers and experts have argued it is protected, but the courts have not definitively ruled on the issue.
White House killed deal to pay for mental health care for migrant families separated at border
NBC: The White House’s refusal to accept the deal ended up costing taxpayers $6 million…. In November 2019, the judge in the case ordered the government to pay for mental health services, which the Justice Department appealed unsuccessfully. The nonprofit Seneca Family of Agencies was awarded a $14 million contract in March to provide screenings and counseling to migrant families.
As coronavirus cases surge again, ICE leaders push to detain more immigrants in California
KTLA: Now, against the backdrop of the latest and potentially most difficult wave of COVID-19 cases across the state and country, ICE officials are pushing to increase the number of immigrants detained in California.
ICE Arrested More Than 150 Immigrants In A Nationwide Sweep
Buzzfeed: This time, ICE officials say they targeted people who had been granted voluntary departure, a policy that allows undocumented immigrants to leave the country on their own accord rather than be deported.
The time has come for a reckoning on US immigrant abuse
AlJazeera: A letter to the UN by four congresswomen renews hope that abuse of detained immigrants in the US will finally be addressed.
Biden Will Try to Unmake Trump’s Immigration Agenda. It Won’t Be Easy
MP: Some of Trump’s actions can be undone relatively easily, legal scholars and former judges and justice officials say. Others require laborious rule-making or slow-moving litigation. For Biden allies hoping to make a fast start, choosing priorities is daunting.
Immigration Officials Have Been Told Not To Communicate With Joe Biden’s Transition Team
BuzzFeed: An official at the agency that oversees US immigration and naturalization services told employees not to communicate with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team until a Trump appointee “deems the results ‘clear’” and recognizes the winner, according to an internal email obtained by BuzzFeed News.
IT Snafus Added Confusion to Migrant Family Reunification, Watchdog Says
WSJ: Old systems maintained by the Department of Homeland Security failed to track migrants that were separated at the U.S. border.
LITIGATION/CASELAW/RULES/MEMOS
Federal Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction Against Rule Restricting Asylum Eligibility
A district court issued a nationwide injunction against a rule issued on 10/21/20 that created new categories that would bar individuals from being eligible for asylum, which were scheduled to go into effect on 11/20/20. (Pangea Legal Services et al., v. DHS, et al., 11/19/20) AILA Doc. No. 20111934
The district court granted motions to certify class and for preliminary injunction, blocking application of the Trump administration’s “Title 42” order to all unaccompanied children, which restricted immigration at the border under the Public Health Service Act. (P.J.E.S. v. Wolf, 11/18/20) AILA Doc. No. 20111839
NY Judge Slams Feds For ‘Ignoring’ Justices’ DACA Revival
Law360: A New York federal judge rebuked the Trump administration Wednesday for refusing to reinstate DACA, saying the administration was “ignoring” court orders that preserved the immigration ptogram while trying to “run out the clock” on the president’s remaining time in office.
DC Judge Slams DOJ’s $212K Fee Payment To Arnold & Porter
Law360: A District of Columbia federal judge on Tuesday criticized a deal in which the Trump administration will pay Arnold & Porter more than $212,000 in legal fees to resolve a battle over expedited traveler security clearance programs, calling the fees excessive and the government’s conduct “embarrassing.”
Advocates File Class Action Lawsuit Challenging USCIS’s Blank Space Policy
Advocates filed a lawsuit challenging USCIS policy to reject applications that have any blank response field. USCIS has rejected thousands of applications, primarily targeting humanitarian benefits such as asylum applications and T and U visa petitions. (Vangala v. USCIS, 11/19/20) AILA Doc. No. 20112034
CA4 Holds That IJs Must Make Finding as to Whether Corroborating Evidence Was Reasonably Available
The court held that while the INA does not require an IJ to provide a noncitizen with advance notice of the need to offer corroborating evidence, the IJ must make a finding as to whether such corroborating evidence was reasonably available if it was not provided. (Wambura v. Barr, 11/13/20) AILA Doc. No. 20111740
Affirming the district court’s dismissal of the habeas petition, the court rejected the petitioners’ argument that their inability to seek work authorization was a collateral consequence that should allow them to maintain their petition. (Bacilio-Sabastian, et al. v. Barr, et al., 11/13/20) AILA Doc. No. 20111741
USCIS updated policy guidance affirming that an applicant is ineligible for naturalization in cases where they did not obtain LPR status lawfully, including cases where the U.S. government was unaware of disqualifying facts and granted AOS to that of an LPR or admitted the applicant as an LPR. AILA Doc. No. 20111831
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on the Use of Discretion for Adjustment of Status
USCIS updated guidance regarding discretion in adjustment of status (AOS) applications. The update consolidates guidance on the privileges, rights, and responsibilities of LPRs, and clarifies factors or factual circumstances for AOS that officers consider when conducting a discretionary analysis. AILA Doc. No. 20111731
DHS Issues Order Designating the Order of Succession for the Secretary of Homeland Security
On 11/4/20, Peter T. Gaynor, administrator of FEMA, exercised any authority of the position of Acting Secretary to designate an order of succession for DHS Secretary. This order was issued in response to recent findings that the 11/8/19 order of succession issued by Kevin McAleenan was invalid. AILA Doc. No. 20111737
DHS Issues Ratification of Actions Taken by Acting Secretary Chad Wolf
Following the execution of Peter Gaynor’s 11/14/20 order designating the order of succession for the secretary of homeland security, DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf ratified any and all of his own actions taken since 11/13/19. AILA Doc. No. 20111738
DHS Issues Ratification of Certain Actions Taken by McAleenan and Edlow
Following the execution of Peter Gaynor’s 11/14/20 order designating the order of succession for the secretary of homeland security, DHS Acting Secretary Wolf ratified certain actions taken by former Acting DHS Secretary McAleenan and one action taken by USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Edlow. AILA Doc. No. 20111739
ACTIONS
- USCIS Feedback Opportunities
- Age and “Sought to Acquire” Requirement under Child Status Protection Act: feedback due 12/14/2020
- Civics Educational Requirement for Purposes of Naturalization: feedback due 12/14/2020
- Comment on Rule to Eliminate Employment Authorization for Individuals with a Final Order of Removal: Comments are due 12/21/20; comments on form revisions are due 1/19/21.
- Comment on CBP Collection of Biometric Data: Comments are due 12/21/20.
- Comment on Proposed Revisions to Form I-821D, DACA: Comments are due 1/12/21.
- Comment on New Form G-1558, Request for E-Notification: Comments are due 1/11/21.
- Comment on EOIR FOIAXpress Public Access Link: Comments are due 1/19/21.
- Comment on USCIS Proposed Revisions to Form I-914, T visa: Comments are due 1/19/21.
- Call for Examples: Issues with USCIS Ignoring Call Requests for Attorneys Appearing Telephonically for Client Interviews at Local Field Offices
- AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee Speaker Interest Form: To ensure we are lifting up our diverse members, we need AILA’s diverse leaders and members to identify themselves and their area of expertise. We want YOU to be the next speaker at AILA’s Webinars, Teleconferences, Annual Conference, Midyear Conference, Fall Conference, or Chapter Conferences.
- Think Immigration: How You Can Fight the Wrongful Deportation of Cameroonian Asylum Seekers
RESOURCES
- AIC: Practice Tip: The Government Answered a Complaint Alleging Administrative Procedure Act Violations – Now What?
- AILA: Client Flyer: Understanding the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Program
- AILA: Practice Alert: Receipt Notice Delays for I-485s and I-140s Filed with USCIS Lockbox
- AILA: Practice Pointer: How to Use Expert Witnesses in Immigration Court After Matter of J-G-T-
- AILA: Avoiding Disciplinary Action for Requesting Multiple Continuances in Immigration Court
- AILA: Thinking Creatively About Using the Hague Convention to Combat Family Separation
- AILA: Sample Complaint for Writ of Mandamus and Complaint under APA
- CLINIC: What Steps Should Immigration Practitioners Take Now in Anticipation of a Biden Administration?
- CLINIC: New BIA Decision Addresses Scope of INA § 204(c)
- DHS: How to Request Case Assistance from the Ombudsman: Scope of Assistance Provided
- ILRC: Risks of Filing Affirmative T Visa Applications Under the Current NTA Memo
- ILRC: California Sentences and Immigration
- MPI: The “Trump Effect” on Legal Immigration Levels: More Perception than Reality?
EVENTS
- 11/23/20-12/14/20 Selected Issues in Family-Based Immigration
- 11/24/20 VAWA Self-Petitioning Fundamentals
- 11/30/20 Perfecting a Winning Strategy for Asylum Applications
- 12/2/20 Migration, Climate Change, and Human Adaptation
- 12/2/20 An Overview of Naturalization
- 12/2/20 Legal Writing for DOJ Accredited Representatives
- 12/2/20-12/3/20 Legal Remedies for Immigrant Survivors: Introductory Seminar Series
- 12/3/20 Representing Permanent Residents in LPR Cancellation Cases
- 12/3/20 2020 AILA Crimes and Immigration Virtual Conference
- 12/3/20-12/4/20 53rd Annual Immigration and Naturalization Institute
- 12/8/20 Litigating Your Way Out of Delay
- 12/8/20 Update from the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez
- 12/9/20 Public Charge in Consular Processing
- 12/15/20 Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude
- 12/16/20 LPRs and Public Charge
- 12/16/20 Program Strategies for Removal Defense Practice
- 1/7/21 Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Strategies and Best Practices
- 1/12/21-2/26/21 Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law
- 1/21/21 Immigration in 2021: Anticipating Changes under a New Administration
- 2/4/21 Basic Immigration Law 2021: Business, Family, Naturalization and Related Areas
- 2/5/21 Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Crime Victim, and Other Immigration Relief 2021
- 2/5/21 Addressing Domestic Violence 2021: Remote Family and Immigration Law Practice During Pandemic or Disaster
- 4/21/21 Working with Domestic Violence Immigrant Survivors: The Intersection of Basic Family Law, Immigration, Benefits, and Housing Issues in California 2021
ImmProf
Monday, November 23, 2020
- Biden Will Try to Unmake Trump’s Immigration Agenda. It Won’t Be Easy
- Immigration Article of the Day: The Final Act: Deportation by ICE Air by Deborah M. Weissman, Havan Clark, & Angelina Snodgrass Godoy
Saturday, November 21, 2020
- From The Bookshelves: The Dragons, the Giant, the Women: A Memoir by Wayétu Moore
- Community Education: Who is eligible for economic stimulus payments?
- OECD International Migration Outlook 2020: migration down 50% in 2020
- Vanity Fair: “IN RACE FOR `WORLD’S BIGGEST BASTARD,’ STEPHEN MILLER’S STAR CONTINUES TO RISE”
Friday, November 20, 2020
- Asylum Ruling Halts Restrictions in New Rule
- The Trump Administration Is Still Making Immigration Rules
- Migration Information Source: The “Trump Effect” on Legal Immigration Levels: More Perception than Reality?
- Annual International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition
- Law & Society Review Publishes Special Symposium on Immigration Detention
- The 4 potential candidates to lead Biden’s Department of Homeland Security, briefly explained
- From The Bookshelves: The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah
- Ali Noorani: What The Biden Administration Can Do To Reform America’s Immigration Policies
Thursday, November 19, 2020
- Immigration Law at the AALS Annual Meeting
- BIG-PICTURE, CLEAN-SLATE IMMIGRATION REFORMS FOR THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION by Angelo A. Paparelli and Stephen Yale-Loehr
- DHS Inspector General report: “Because of these IT deficiencies, we could not confirm the total number of families DHS separated during the Zero Tolerance period.”
- Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories
- Trump administration tries to push last-minute immigration limits
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
- Migrants Evicted from Canary Island Port
- End of a Reign of Terror for Immigrants, Election Promises Relief
- President-Elect Biden’s Agenda for International Students
- District Court Halts Immigration Arrests at Federal Courthouse
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
- IIE Report on Fall 2020 Shows Decline in International Students Coming to US
- Will Joe Biden Champion Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
- Immigration Officials Have Been Told Not To Communicate With Joe Biden’s Transition Team
- Immigration Article of the Day: Operationalizing Language Access Rights for Limited English Proficient Taxpayers by Jennifer J. Lee
Monday, November 16, 2020
- At the Movies: The Long Ride
- International Education Week: November 16-20, 2020
- MPI Events: Evolution on US Homeland Security in 21st Century
- Reshaping the Department of Homeland Security in the Biden Administration
- ‘Dreamer’ protections to be reinstated by Joe Biden on day one: Incoming Chief of Staff Ron Klain
- Immigration Article of the Day: Pleading the Fifth in Immigration Court: A Regulatory Proposal by Tania N. Valdez
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Thanks, Elizabeth!
Due Process Forever!
PWS
11-24-20