Immigration Law

Supreme Court refuses to block public charge rule in request citing COVID-19 impact

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Friday to block the Trump administration’s public charge rule curbing green cards and visas for people on public benefits.

Apr 27, 2020 9:53 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Congress asked for COVID-19 lawsuit curbs; law school cuts pay for staff and faculty

Lobbyists seek COVID-19 lawsuit curbs Lobbying groups for U.S. businesses are asking Congress to curb liability for companies that could face lawsuits in connection with COVID-19. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suggesting safe harbor from privacy laws for employers who inquire about health status, safe harbor from age and…

Apr 21, 2020 4:09 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Ex-BigLaw partner gets home jailing for COVID-19 risk; lawsuit sees immigration-court safety risk

Ex-BigLaw partner released from prison for COVID-19 risk A Manhattan federal judge has ordered former Locke Lord partner Mark Scott to be released to home confinement because he has a greater risk of serious illness if he contracts COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos said Scott will spend two months…

Mar 31, 2020 4:58 PM CDT

Judge says US failed to promptly release detained immigrant children from ‘hotbeds for contagion’

A federal judge in Los Angeles has found that the federal government failed to promptly release immigrant children from detention facilities that are “hotbeds for contagion.”

Mar 30, 2020 11:22 AM CDT

ICE halts most immigration enforcement, more courts close amid COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is cutting back arrests as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mar 19, 2020 11:22 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Mueller indictment of Russian firms tossed; ex-juvenile delinquent now a lawyer

Judge tosses indictment of Russian firms at prosecutors’ request U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich granted prosecutors’ request Monday to toss an indictment against two Russian companies accused of participating in an “information warfare” campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors said the companies—Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting—were…

Mar 17, 2020 3:12 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: McGahn case to be heard by full DC Circuit; judge blocks food-stamp rule

Full DC Circuit to hear cases on McGahn subpoena, border wall The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has granted en banc review of two cases involving the ability of Congress to sue over disputes with the president. In one case, the appeals court will consider…

Mar 16, 2020 5:22 PM CDT

SCOTUS allows remain-in-Mexico policy to continue during legal challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Trump administration to continue to require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are pending.

Mar 11, 2020 3:23 PM CDT

Feds can take detained immigrants’ DNA, DOJ says

The Trump administration announced Friday it will begin taking DNA samples from undocumented immigrants in April to assist with future investigations and efforts to reduce crime.

Mar 9, 2020 12:30 PM CDT

New asylum rule won’t apply to immigrants stopped by metering policy, appeals court says

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday the “third country transit rule” will not apply to immigrants who arrived at the southern border seeking protection before it took effect last summer.

Mar 6, 2020 12:44 PM CST

‘Remain in Mexico’ policy allowed to continue pending Supreme Court review, 9th Circuit says

On Wednesday, a federal appeals court granted the Trump administration’s request to allow the “remain in Mexico” policy to stay in effect while also reaffirming that it ruled correctly when it deemed the policy to be unlawful last week.

Mar 5, 2020 12:33 PM CST

Video teleconference program for immigrant children ‘is contrary to the American pursuit of justice,’ ABA says

ABA President Judy Perry Martinez joined leaders from Kids in Need of Defense on Wednesday in condemning a new pilot program at the Houston Immigration Court that requires all cases involving unaccompanied immigrant children to be heard via video teleconference.

Mar 5, 2020 9:41 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: SCOTUS splits over immigrant’s fight against ID theft conviction; first black justice on top Illinois court dies

SCOTUS splits over undocumented immigrant’s fight against state identify theft conviction The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Tuesday against Ramiro Garcia, an unauthorized immigrant in Kansas who was convicted under a state identity theft law after using someone else’s Social Security number to get a job. The conservative justices…

Mar 3, 2020 3:21 PM CST

Asylum rules overturned after judge rules head of top US immigration post was unlawfully appointed

A federal judge ruled Sunday that Ken Cuccinelli’s appointment to a top immigration position in the Trump administration was unlawful, and he suspended two policies that Cuccinelli issued while in charge.

Mar 2, 2020 11:56 AM CST

9th Circuit blocks two policies that restrict and discourage asylum applications

A federal appeals court on Friday blocked two Trump administration policies that affect asylum-seekers.

Feb 28, 2020 2:55 PM CST