Immigration Law

Attorney general nominee Barr says he will let special counsel Mueller finish probe

Attorney General nominee William Barr said in written testimony released on Monday that he won’t allow partisan politics or other considerations to interfere with the work of special counsel Robert Mueller, a friend as well as a professional acquaintance. “On my watch,” Barr said, “Bob will be allowed to complete…

Jan 14, 2019 2:51 PM CST

Can Trump use emergency powers to build a border wall? These statutes might apply

President Donald Trump could rely on the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to build a border wall without approval from Congress, but the move would likely face challenges in court.

Jan 8, 2019 4:08 PM CST

Second judge in a row leaves USS Cole case to join immigration court

This fall, the former judge in a high-profile Guantanamo terrorism case caused controversy by leaving the military in order to become an immigration judge. Another judge was appointed to replace him. Now, the replacement judge is also leaving to become an immigration judge, the Miami Herald reported Monday.

Jan 8, 2019 10:21 AM CST

What happens after federal courts run out of money to continue operations?

Updated Jan. 10: Federal courts have tacked on a week to the amount of time they hope to continue paid operations during the government shutdown. But they are still making plans for scaled-down operations after the money is expected to run out.

Jan 7, 2019 3:35 PM CST

Shutdown halts many immigration hearings; federal courts could be affected

The government shutdown caused by a stalemate over border wall funding has halted many proceedings in immigration courts and could soon impact federal courts. Immigration courts in detention centers are continuing to operate, but other immigration court hearings are being rescheduled, report NPR and the Washington Post. Federal courts, meanwhile,…

Jan 4, 2019 11:48 AM CST

What do experts predict will be the immigration law battles in 2019?

Yet more litigation, congressional action, a worsening immigration court backlog and new, daring programs by the Trump administration are all highly likely in 2019, immigration court watchers say.

Jan 3, 2019 3:40 PM CST

Relax with our favorite long reads of 2018

ABA Journal

Dec 27, 2018 11:33 AM CST

With four justices dissenting, Supreme Court won’t lift injunction blocking Trump’s new asylum restrictions

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday refused to allow President Donald Trump to begin implementing a new policy that allows asylum claims only by immigrants entering the country through points of entry. The Supreme Court denied the administration’s request for a stay of a nationwide injunction that had blocked the…

Dec 21, 2018 4:35 PM CST

Judge blocks DOJ domestic violence asylum policy, while ‘remain in Mexico’ asylum policy announced

A Washington, D.C., federal judge on Wednesday struck down a Trump administration asylum policy denying victims of gang violence and domestic abuse a chance at asylum, a day before the federal government announced that it would force Central American asylum-seekers to live in Mexico while waiting for their court dates.

Dec 20, 2018 2:29 PM CST

ABA teams up with J.K. Rowling foundation to provide social workers to immigrant children

The ABA is partnering with the Lumos Foundation to hire two social workers to provide services to immigrant children who have been reunited with their families. Lumos is an international children’s rights organization founded by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The social workers will assess the needs of the children,…

Dec 17, 2018 3:53 PM CST

Nearly 70 ex-judges ask ICE to stop courthouse arrests; US attorney defends agency amid controversy

Nearly 70 former federal and state judges are asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop making arrests at courthouses. The judges’ Dec. 12 letter asks ICE to add courthouses to its lists of sensitive locations where arrests are barred.

Dec 14, 2018 7:00 AM CST

Trump administration seeking to deport Vietnam War refugees

More than 40 years after the Vietnam War ended, the Trump administration is preparing an effort to deport refugees from that war who ended up in the United States.

Dec 13, 2018 4:22 PM CST

ABA releases updated standards for treatment of unaccompanied immigrant minors

The ABA’s Commission on Immigration on Friday released updated standards for the detention, care and legal representation of unaccompanied immigrant minors.

Dec 11, 2018 6:30 AM CST

9th Circuit: New asylum restrictions likely violate federal law; Bybee wrote opinion

A federal appeals court on Friday refused the Trump administration’s request for a stay of a judge’s decision that blocked new asylum restrictions from taking effect. The 2-1 opinion by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco said the administration’s decision to restrict asylum claims to those…

Dec 10, 2018 10:07 AM CST

New suit filed challenging Trump’s asylum requirements and Whitaker’s appointment

Two immigrants who were denied asylum because they entered the United States outside official checkpoints are among the plaintiffs in a new suit that was filed this week in Washington, D.C. The suit is a second challenge to the Trump administration’s decision to deny asylum to immigrants who cross the…

Dec 7, 2018 11:18 AM CST