Featured Issue: U.S. Immigration Courts under Trump 2.0
The U.S. immigration court system plays a critical role in upholding due process and ensuring fair hearings for individuals facing deportation. However, since January 20, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has implemented significant changes that challenge the structural integrity of these courts. This page aims to provide up-to-date information on the policy and legal shifts affecting the U.S. immigration court system.
Latest Updates
Updates from EOIR
Browse the Featured Issue: U.S. Immigration Courts under Trump 2.0 collection
Texas Court Says Padilla v. Kentucky Applies Retroactively
The court found that the Supreme Court decision in Padilla v. Kentucky applies retroactively and affirmed the vacatur of appellee’s 1994 conviction where counsel failed to inform him of the immigration consequences of a guilty plea. (Texas v. Golding, 5/12/11)
BIA Sets Forth Framework for Firm Resettlement Findings
The BIA set forth a framework for firm resettlement determinations, focusing exclusively on the existence of an offer of permanent resettlement, and allowing for the consideration of direct and indirect evidence. Matter of A-G-G, 25 I&N Dec. 486 (BIA 2011)
Action Speaks Louder Than Words: President Obama Can Use The Law To Help Families and Businesses Even If Congress Refuses To Act On Immigration
I think we can all agree that in the past couple of weeks President Obama has demonstrated he has the guts to make tough decisions. He is a Commander-in-Chief worthy of the title; one who is willing to put the country first, regardless of risk to his own political future. Fixing our broken immigrat
CA9 Remands for Decision on Whether CA Failure to Register Is a CIMT
The court remanded to the BIA to determine whether failure to register as a sex offender under California law constitutes a CIMT given the “significant intervening developments” in CIMT analysis since the BIA’s 2007 decision. (Pannu v. Holder, 5/11/11)
White House Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System
White House May 2011 Blueprint summarizes the Obama Administration’s border security and enforcement efforts to date, discusses the economic benefits of immigration reform, and outlines the President Obama’s vision for a 21st century immigration policy.
OIG Report on the Supervision of Undocumented Individuals Commensurate With Risk
DHS OIG report assessing and making recommendations with regard to the effectiveness of ICE’s decision-making process on whether to detain undocumented individuals or to place them in supervised release.
CBP Publishes Guidance for International Travelers on Forms I-192, I-212, and I-824
CBP guidance published on 5/9/11 providing information for international travelers regarding Forms I-192, I-212, and I-824, as well as a listing and the associated contact information for the designated ports that accept such forms in advance of travel.
CA9 Says BIA Failed to Consider Service to the Community in §212(c) Case
The court remanded, finding that the BIA failed to consider all of the positive factors bearing on Petitioner’s application for 212(c) relief because it did not consider substantial evidence of Petitioner’s value and service to the community. (Zheng v. Holder, 5/6/11)
Five Indicted in Texas in Alleged H-2B Fraud Scheme
A grand jury indicted five defendants on conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to encourage aliens to illegally enter and reside in the U.S. The indictment alleges that the defendants have conspired since August 2004 to knowingly obtain H-2Bs under false pretenses. (U.S. v. Vicharelly, 5/5/11)
AG Exercises Review Authority in DOMA Case
The AG vacated the BIA’s order and remanded the matter to the BIA to determine whether and how the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act impacts respondent’s eligibility for cancellation of removal. Matter of Dorman, 25 I&N Dec. 485 (AG 2011)
ICE Announces the Passing of an El Salvadoran National While in ICE Custody
ICE press release announcing that Miguel Hernandez, a 54-year-old El Salvadoran national, passed away at a Georgia medical center after collapsing at the North Georgia Detention Center. He was the eighth individual to pass away in ICE custody in FY 2011.
CA9 Says Res Judicata Binds IJ/BIA to Proceed with §212(c) Case
The court held that res judicata binds the BIA to the district court’s decision that Petitioner is eligible for §212(c) relief and that Blake and Brieva do not constitute a change in the law to bar res judicata. (Paulo v. Holder, 5/4/11)
USCIS Fact Sheet on Public Charge
USCIS fact sheet provides information about public charge determinations, including the background and definition, as well as which benefits are subject to public charge consideration, to help noncitizens make decisions about whether to apply for certain public benefits.
BIA Provides Framework for Assessing Mental Competency (Updated 5/13/11)
The BIA set forth a framework to assess the competency of respondents in proceedings and remanded, finding good cause to believe respondent was not competent to proceed. Courtesy of the Univ. of Houston Immigration Clinic. Matter of M-A-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 474 (BIA 2011)
CA9 Discusses Credibility and Corroboration in Asylum
The court found that where the IJ has reason in the record to doubt credibility, an absence of evidence may suffice to reject credibility where the need for the evidence is plain and the evidence is reasonably accessible. (Singh v. Holder, 5/3/11)
White House Readout of President’s Meeting with CHC Members Regarding Immigration (Updated 5/4/11)
White House readout of President Obama’s 5/3/11 meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) in which the President and CHC members agreed on the goal of fixing the broken immigration system through legislative action. The meeting announcement is attached.
O Holder, Here We Are...
AILA Amicus Committee alert on the ongoing Silva-Trevino controversy.
CRCL May 2011 Newsletter
DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) May 2011 newsletter covers the removal of designated countries from NSEERS registration, CRCL meetings with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on immigration-related issues, new CRCL leadership, and more.
DHS to Use Resources for Emergency Aid, Not Enforcement Efforts, in the Tornado Zone
AILA has been informed that DHS will devote its efforts to disaster relief and emergency aid in the areas affected by the late April tornadoes and not use DHS resources for immigration enforcement in those areas.
DOJ OIL April 2011 Litigation Bulletin
DOJ Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) April 2011 Litigation Bulletin introduces David M. McConnell as new Director for OIL Appellate, and covers the INA § 212(c) issue before the Supreme Court, defining “admission,” summaries of recent decisions, and more.
Immigration Law Advisor, April 2011 (Vol. 5, No. 5)
Immigration Law Advisor with an article on the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 212(c) and how circuit courts are handling it, circuit court decisions for March 2011, an article on the Convention Against Torture, recent BIA precedent decisions, and a regulatory update.
Reply Brief of Petitioner, Petition for Review
Sample reply brief of Petitioner arguing that Silva-Trevino is not entitled to deference, that reliance on Nijhawan is misplaced, and that Respondent failed to meaningfully address 4th Cir. authority on determining whether a conviction is a CIMT (May 2011). (Complaint, Amendment, Other Briefing)
AILA Files Brief of Amici Curiae in Case Challenging Silva-Trevino
Brief of amici filed in the 4th Circuit case, Waheed v. Holder, urges the court to reject the Silva-Trevino framework for determining whether a conviction constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude and reaffirm the importance of the categorical approach.
CA9 Says Additional Incidents of Persecution Cast Doubt on Credibility
The court held that the inclusion of three additional incidents of arrest and mistreatment that were added to Petitioner’s claim in a supplemental declaration materially altered his claim in a way that casted doubt on his credibility. (Zamanov v. Holder, 4/29/11)
CA10 Rejects BIA Interpretation of Moral Turpitude in Tobar-Lobo
The court vacated the order of removal, finding that a violation of Colo. Rev. Stat. §18-3-412.5(1)(a), (3), misdemeanor failure to register as a sex offender, is not a crime involving moral turpitude. (Efagene v. Holder, 4/29/11)