Immigration Law

Supreme Court to consider suit over border agent’s shooting of teen on Mexican side of the border

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider whether a U.S. border patrol agent can be sued by the family of a teen killed by the agent on the Mexican side of the border. The court agreed to consider the reach of the U.S. Constitution in the suit by…

Oct 12, 2016 11:45 AM CDT

Supreme Court to consider suits against US officials by immigrants detained after Sept. 11 attacks

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to decide whether former Attorney General John Ashcroft and other onetime government officials have immunity in suits by immigrants who say they were rounded up and illegally detained after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The court agreed to hear three consolidated cases brought…

Oct 12, 2016 11:09 AM CDT

Federal prosecutors will charge Sheriff Joe Arpaio with criminal contempt; he vows a fight

Federal prosecutors plan to charge Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio with criminal contempt for allegedly violating an order banning racial profiling. Prosecutors revealed their decision in court on Tuesday, report the Arizona Republic and the New York Times. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton said that because Arpaio is age…

Oct 12, 2016 9:05 AM CDT

Mike Pence’s attempt to ban Syrian refugees is based on ‘nightmare speculation,’ Posner opinion says

A federal appeals court has upheld a preliminary injunction that prevents Indiana Gov. Mike Pence from barring federal funding to a social-service agency to help resettle Syrian refugees. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the funding ban was based on “nightmare speculation” rather than evidence that some…

Oct 4, 2016 9:15 AM CDT

ACLU immigration lawyer is among genius grant winners

A lawyer who seeks due process for immigrants facing deportation is among 23 winners of 2016 MacArthur “genius” grants. Lawyer Ahilan Arulanantham, 43, will receive the no-strings attached $625,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He is director of advocacy and legal director for the American…

Sep 22, 2016 9:58 AM CDT

9th Circuit rejects bid for lawyers for child immigrants but calls for a change in the law

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed an ambitious lawsuit seeking court-appointed counsel for minors who are in deportation proceedings. J.E.F.M. v. Lynch argued that the minors have due process and statutory rights to counsel in deportation proceedings. Currently, no one of any age is provided…

Sep 21, 2016 2:35 PM CDT

New York program provides public defenders in deportation cases

When Judge Robert Katzmann joined the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New York City in 1999, immigration was a “minuscule” part of the docket. Six years later, it had become 40 percent of the caseload.

Sep 1, 2016 3:10 AM CDT

Justice Department discloses ‘several significant errors’ in information provided for SCOTUS case

The U.S. Justice Department has disclosed it underestimated the time that some immigrants spend in detention in information provided to the U.S. Supreme Court for a 2003 case. In a letter (PDF) on Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Justice Department said it made “several significant errors” in information…

Aug 31, 2016 10:48 AM CDT

Lawyer denounces restaurant patrons for message they left his granddaughter

A Virginia lawyer used Facebook to denounce two restaurant patrons who left no tip for their waitress and explained why on the credit card receipt. In the line reserved for the tip amount, the couple wrote, “We only tip citizens.” The 18-year-old waitress was a citizen and the granddaughter of…

Aug 23, 2016 8:00 AM CDT

Federal judge refers Sheriff Joe Arpaio for criminal prosecution

A federal judge on Friday ordered Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio be referred to the U.S. Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution as a result of alleged violation of a court order barring racial profiling. U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow referred for prosecution Arpaio and three others, report the…

Aug 22, 2016 11:13 AM CDT

Trump’s ‘extreme vetting’ plan for immigrants is likely constitutional, law prof says

Donald Trump’s plan for “extreme vetting” of would-be immigrants may be difficult to implement, but it is likely constitutional, a law professor says in an op-ed. Writing for the Washington Post, George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley says this is one occasion when Trump may have the law on…

Aug 17, 2016 8:00 AM CDT

How should the United States balance border security and human rights?

Concerns about national security have driven much of our recent immigration policy—and many of the discussions taking place in the current U.S. presidential election. But how do policymakers balance those concerns with the rights of American citizens and the human rights of people seeking refuge from violence overseas? Two panels…

Aug 6, 2016 4:25 PM CDT

Can Donald Trump make it happen? Expanding presidential powers could pave the way for his policies

Donald Trump has made some sweeping promises as he campaigns for president. He wants to build a wall, suspend immigration from some countries, repeal the Affordable Care Act and execute cop killers. But how much can he accomplish on his own? Presidential scholars say Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush…

Aug 2, 2016 8:00 AM CDT

US asks Supreme Court to grant rehearing in challenge to Obama’s deferred-deportation program

The U.S. government is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rehear a challenge to President Barack Obama’s power to implement a deferred deportation program that had split the court 4-4 in June. The petition filed on Monday seeks a decision when the court “has a full complement of members,” report…

Jul 20, 2016 3:15 PM CDT

Trump’s policies would be unconstitutional and will be challenged if adopted, ACLU says

The American Civil Liberties Union is vowing to file constitutional challenges to several policies of Donald Trump if he should win election and implement them. The ACLU sees constitutional problems with Trump’s proposals on immigration, American Muslims, torture and freedom of speech. “If implemented, Donald Trump’s proposed policies will spark…

Jul 14, 2016 10:17 AM CDT