Immigration Law

March 28, 1898: Supreme Court affirms birthright citizenship of Wong Kim Ark

Although it took them more than a year to decide U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, the justices ruled 6-2 on March 28, 1898, that the 14th Amendment means what it says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.”

Feb 1, 2024 12:05 AM CST

Supreme Court allows federal agents to remove border wire installed by Texas; which conservatives joined liberals?

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed federal Border Patrol agents to cut or move razor wire barriers placed by Texas along the southern border at the banks of the Rio Grande River.

Jan 23, 2024 8:17 AM CST

ABA achieves lobbying successes despite tumultuous session of 118th Congress

Despite the political highs and lows of the first session of the 118th Congress, the ABA worked hard to advance policy issues of interest to our members and saw progress.

Jan 18, 2024 1:55 PM CST

Judge approves settlement banning immigrant family separations at border for 8 years

The type of zero-tolerance immigration policy that led to family separations can’t be reinstated by the federal government for the next eight years under a settlement approved Friday by a judge in California.

Dec 11, 2023 11:38 AM CST

Armin Salek builds new pathway to profession for aspiring first-generation lawyers

At age 33, Armin Salek has his dream job. He is the founder and the executive director of the Youth Justice Alliance, a nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas, that provides aspiring first-generation lawyers with financial and institutional support starting in high school.

Dec 6, 2023 10:01 AM CST

Alleged Cuban agent most recently worked in BigLaw

A former U.S. ambassador who was arrested Friday for allegedly acting as a Cuban agent had recently worked at Foley & Lardner as a senior adviser on international business.

Dec 5, 2023 10:10 AM CST

A second child during China’s one-child policy becomes an immigration lawyer in the US

“I came into this world as the second child of my family during the stringent era of China’s one-child policy. To avoid governmental persecution, we took refuge in a secluded rural area where my mother was forced to give birth at home without any medical attention. As I grew older, my inquisitive nature drove me to question why my sister and I lived apart, and why I seemed to be the cause of additional paperwork at school.”

Dec 1, 2023 1:30 AM CST

Federalist Society lawyers deemed too timid for future Trump administration by ex-president’s allies

Former President Donald Trump had relied on the conservative Federalist Society to fill executive branch legal positions and advise on judicial nominees. But some of Trump’s allies view the group’s conservative elite lawyers as too timid to carry out his agenda.

Nov 2, 2023 12:41 PM CDT

Migrant family-separation settlement provides path to asylum, 8-year ban on Trump-era policy

The U.S. government has agreed that for the next eight years, it won't reinstate a Trump administration zero-tolerance policy for illegal immigration that led to the separation of thousands of immigrant children from their families.

Oct 17, 2023 9:32 AM CDT

Generative AI creates fake images that bring to life real stories from Australia’s offshore detention camp

While a project, “Exhibit A-i: The Refugee Account,” has already gained media attention in Australia and has been shown to the country’s minister for immigration and members of Parliament, it also has led to a discussion about the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence. The technology has evolved to a point where it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake.

Oct 12, 2023 2:33 PM CDT

Biden plans to build part of border wall, says he was unable to redirect appropriated funds

President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday that he doesn’t think that a border wall is effective, but he is planning to build one anyway in Starr County, Texas.

Oct 5, 2023 2:59 PM CDT

MacArthur grant winners include 2 law profs and democracy lawyer, all Yale Law grads

Updated: A democracy lawyer and legal scholars studying global migration and incarceration practices will each receive $800,000 after being named 2023 MacArthur Foundation fellows.

Oct 4, 2023 3:21 PM CDT

For 30 years, ABA Children’s Rights Litigation Committee has trained and supported kids’ lawyers

The Children’s Rights Litigation Committee “has just been a fantastic banger of the drum that kids need true representation, just like anyone else who’s inside a system that is making incredibly impactful decisions about their lives,” says Angela Vigil, the longest-serving member of the committee.

Sep 21, 2023 8:50 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Judge rules against DACA fix; Paul Weiss goes on hiring spree

New rulemaking doesn’t save DACA A new administrative rule intended to “preserve and fortify” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program doesn’t cure its illegality, according to a Sept. 13 decision by U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the Southern District of Texas. The program, known as DACA, defers…

Sep 15, 2023 2:28 PM CDT

DOJ sues Elon Musk’s SpaceX for discriminatory hiring practices

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday sued Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the rocket and spacecraft company founded by Elon Musk that is more commonly known as SpaceX, for discrimination against asylees and refugees in hiring.

Aug 25, 2023 10:20 AM CDT