A memorandum dated February 21, 2017, obtained by ProPublica via FOIA, shows guidance ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers received, stating that regardless of criminal histories, “ERO officers will take enforcement action against all removable aliens encountered in the course of their duties.” The memo also contains guidance on detention, stating that “the agency is currently expanding …

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The en banc court denied the petition for review, concluding that the petitioner was ineligible for cancellation of removal on the ground that he failed to establish good moral character because, during the requisite period, he had been a “habitual drunkard.” The court further held that the term “habitual drunkard” was not unconstitutionally vague, because it …

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The American Immigration Council, along with the Center for Constitutional Rights and Latham and Watkins, LLP, filed a class action lawsuit challenging U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) unlawful practice of turning away asylum seekers who present themselves at ports of entry along the U.S. border with Mexico. The individual plaintiffs endured arduous journeys to the U.S. …

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The Eleventh Circuit granted the petition for review, finding that because the petitioner had not been confined in a prison but rather had been detained in a rebel-controlled trailer in the jungle, he did not willfully make a material misrepresentation on his application to adjust his status to that of a lawful permanent resident when he …

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The Ninth Circuit held that reinstated removal orders are administratively final, and that the detention of noncitizens subject to reinstated removal orders is governed by INA §241(a), rather than by INA §236(a). Thus, the court found that the petitioner was not entitled to a bond hearing. The court noted that its decision creates a circuit split with …

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In a memorandum dated July 31, 2017, Chief Immigration Judge MaryBeth Keller reminds Immigration Judges that in all situations in which a continuance is granted at a hearing, they must make the reason(s) for the adjournment clear on the record by stating the reasons orally or by setting forth in writing the reason(s) in an order. …

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The Seventh Circuit held that the BIA misapplied the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Moncrieffe v. Holder when it characterized the petitioner’s conviction under ILCS §550/5(d) for possessing more than 30 but not more than 500 grams of marijuana as an aggravated felony, finding that nothing in Moncrieffe supports the conclusion that the possession of a little more than …

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All employers in the U.S. must now use new Form I-9 starting Sept 18, 2017

Clarifying Matter of C-J-H-, the BIA held that a noncitizen who adjusts status under INA §209(b) changes his or her status from that of a noncitizen granted asylum to that of a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence, thereby terminating his or her asylee status. The BIA further held that the restrictions on removal in INA §208(c)(1)(A) do …

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The Huffington Post reports that Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and David Perdue (R-GA) introduced a bill last week that would bar immigrants from bringing almost anyone but their spouses and minor children to the United States, cutting legal immigration per year by half. Latino and Asian Americans, who are more likely to be recent immigrants with family …

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The Ninth Circuit granted the petition for review and remanded, holding that the BIA abused its discretion in denying the petitioner’s motion to reopen removal proceedings to apply for protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), because it disregarded or discredited undisputed new evidence submitted by the petitioner regarding increased violence toward homosexuals in Ethiopia, including reports …

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DOS issued revised guidance in response to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii’s ruling on July 13, 2017, regarding the definition of “close familial relationship.” In addition to what was previously defined under U.S. government guidance as “parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, fiancé, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half, and …

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The Associated Press reports that the House of Representatives has passed a $788 billion spending bill that combines a $1.6 billion down payment for President Trump’s controversial border wall with a huge budget increase for the Pentagon. Significant hurdles remain in front of the measure, which will encounter more powerful Democratic opposition in the Senate. In addition, …

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Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington converted its temporary restraining order (TRO) into a preliminary injunction, which prohibits the enforcement of 8 CFR §1003.102(t) against Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) and other nonprofit organizations who self-identify and disclose their assistance on pro se filings. The court had issued a nationwide TRO on May …

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USCIS is authorized to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) under INA §§103(a), 239(a) and 8 CFR §§2.1, 239.1.