Featured Issue: Asylum Under Trump 2.0
On the first day of his second term, President Trump suspended all entries at the U.S. Southern Border for asylum seekers. Since then, the Administration has implemented sweeping restrictions that shut America’s doors to people fleeing persecution. These policies violate federal law, erode constitutionally protected due process, exacerbate the asylum backlog, and give those seeking safety an increasingly narrow path to protection.
Left unchecked by Congress, these policies will have dire consequences for both asylum seekers and the integrity of our legal system. Asylum seekers—especially those without access to counsel—are at grave risk of being returned to harm.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The Administration can maintain order at U.S. borders and effectively manage migration without sacrificing fairness and adherence to the law. With more trained asylum officers, a streamlined legal process, legal representation for asylum seekers, and more effective coordination between relevant agencies, the U.S. can establish a safe, orderly, and humane asylum system.
Browse the Featured Issue: Asylum Under Trump 2.0 collection
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Non-Adversarial Interviews
USCIS released its RAIO combined training course on the main components of an interview for all RAIO adjudications and how to use a non-adversarial manner to elicit relevant information to properly adjudicate a claim or request.
CA7 Upholds BIA’s Denial of Motion to Reopen Proceedings Based on Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
The court denied the petition for review of the Bulgarian petitioners, holding they failed to show that they exercised due diligence in seeking relief and that they suffered prejudice as a result of their lawyer’s deficient performance. (Yusev v. Sessions, 3/23/17)
Information for Refugee Claimants to Canada from the United States
The Canadian Council for Refugees provided information for people considering making a refugee claim in Canada entering from the United States, including an overview of the refugee claims process and eligibility requirements.
CA8 Finds BIA Did Not Abuse Its Discretion in Refusing to Reopen Petitioner’s Removal Proceeding
The court denied the petition for review, holding that the petitioner failed to develop an argument explaining why his failure to appear was because of exceptional circumstances within the meaning of INA §240(b)(5)(C). (Alvarado-Arenas v. Sessions, 3/22/17)
AILA’s Questions Submitted to EOIR in Advance of Stakeholder Meeting Scheduled for 4/5/17
AILA’s EOIR Liaison Committee submitted questions to EOIR on 3/22/17 in anticipation of the EOIR stakeholder meeting that was scheduled for 4/5/17. On 4/3/17, EOIR cancelled this stakeholder meeting. EOIR has not yet responded to AILA’s questions.
DOS Cable to Visa-Issuing Posts Halting Implementation of Executive Order 13780
DOS issued a cable halting implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13780, due to ongoing litigation. Cable includes note that “visa processing must continue as normal….” Cable also notes that parts of the heightened screening and vetting guidance should be followed.
DOS Cable Superseding Previously Issued Cable on Implementing Heightened Screening and Vetting of Visa Applications
DOS issued a cable providing guidance for implementing section 2 of the Presidential Memorandum regarding protocols and procedures for enhanced screening and vetting of visa applications and superseding a previously issued cable.
DOS Announces Suspension of Implementation of Travel and Refugee Ban Due To Litigation
DOS announced that due to litigation regarding Executive Order 13780, U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to process visas for nationals of the six countries and has suspended implementation of the provisions of the Executive Order as required by the relevant court orders.
DOS Cable on Implementing Immediate Heightened Screening and Vetting of Visa Applications
DOS issued a cable to diplomatic/consular posts regarding EO13780 and the presidential memo issued on 3/6/17. Cable notes that “In order to ensure that proper focus is given to each application, posts should generally not schedule more than 120 visa interviews per consular adjudicator/per day.”
S. 608: A Bill to Nullify the Effects of the Executive Order on Visa Issuance/Screening and Refugees
On 3/13/17, Senator Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S. 608, a bill to rescind President Trump’s Executive Order 13780, entitled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.” Thirty-eight other senators co-sponsored the bill.
CA4 Finds Petitioner Established Past Persecution and Fear of Future Persecution on Account of Her Nuclear Family Ties to Her Husband
The court granted petition for review and remanded, concluding that the petitioner’s familial relationship with husband necessarily was a central reason for past persecution and fear of future persecution established by the petitioner. (Cantillano Cruz v. Sessions, 3/13/17, amended 3/14/17)
DOS Announcement and FAQs on Implementation of March 6 Executive Order
DOS posted an updated announcement and FAQs on the implementation of the 3/6/17 Executive Order, which becomes effective at 12:01 am (ET) on 3/16/17. DOS does not plan on cancelling any previously scheduled visa appointments and no visas issued prior to the effective date will be revoked.
AILA Summary of Trump Memorandum Implementing Immediate Heightened Screening
AILA issued a summary of the 3/6/17 presidential memorandum calling for heightened screening of applications for immigration benefits, rigorous enforcement of all inadmissibility grounds, and monitoring compliance of related laws after admission.
Senators Urge President Trump to Rescind Travel Ban
On 3/10/17, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with eight other senators, signed a letter calling for President Trump to rescind his Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.”
H.R. 1503: Statue of Liberty Values Act of 2.0 (SOLVE Act)
On 3/10/17, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the SOLVE Act 2.0, which aims to defund and void President Trump’s Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.” One hundred seventy-two Democratic members co-sponsored the bill.
134 Foreign Policy Experts Denounce Revised Travel Ban Executive Order
134 foreign policy experts state, “We are deeply concerned that the March 6, 2017 executive order halting refugee resettlement and suspending visa issuance and travel from six Muslim-majority countries will, like the prior version, weaken U.S. national security and undermine U.S. global leadership.”
DOS Cable to Visa-Issuing Posts with Guidance on Executive Order 13780
DOS issued a cable with guidance to visa-issuing posts regarding the implementation of Executive Order 13780. Cable includes note that guidance should not be implemented until authorization is sent via a subsequent cable, due to ongoing litigation.
Immigrant Rights Groups File Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Executive Order Targeting Muslims and Refugees
Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint asking the court to certify a nationwide class of plaintiffs and enjoin the government from applying sections of Executive Order 13780, which replaces Executive Order 13769, to the proposed class members. (Ali, et al. v. Trump, et al., 3/10/17)
Practice Pointer: Best Practices for Following Up on Cases Subject to TRIG Hold and Procedures to Submit Additional Evidence
AILA provides a practice pointer detailing the follow up procedures for cases subject to a TRIG hold, and the address and procedures by which additional documents can be submitted for TRIG exemption consideration. Guidance was provided by the TRIG Unit at the 11/15/16 quarterly stakeholder event.
Presidential Executive Order 13780: Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States
A copy of Executive Order 13780, signed by President Trump on March 6, 2017, titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States. Executive Order 13769 of January 27, 2017, is revoked as of the effective date of this order. (82 FR 13209, 3/9/17)
CA9 Finds Homosexual Asylum Seeker from Mexico Established Past Persecution
The en banc court granted the petition for review of the BIA’s denial of asylum to a homosexual citizen of Mexico who asserted that Mexican officials were unable or unwilling to protect him from harm by private individuals due to his sexual orientation. (Bringas-Rodriguez v. Sessions, 3/8/17)
CA2 Defers to BIA’s Decision in Matter of F-P-R- to Calculate Asylum Applicant’s “Last Arrival” into the United States
The court held that petitioner’s rebuffed effort to enter Canada from the United States after being illegally present in the United States counted as his “last arrival,” thus giving him an additional one year from that date to file an asylum application. (Linares-Urrutia v. Sessions, 3/7/17)
DHS Q&As: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry to the United States
DHS Q&As regarding the Executive Order issued on March 6, 2017, revising the previous January 27, 2017, Executive Order on the travel ban.
DOJ/DHS Letter to White House on Need for Review of Risks to Immigration System
A 3/6/17 letter from Attorney General Sessions and DHS Secretary Kelly requesting a “thorough and fresh review of the particular risks to our Nation’s security from our immigration system…. [and] a temporary pause on the entry of nationals from certain countries to allow this review to take place.”
Statement by DHS Secretary on President’s Executive Order
DHS Secretary John Kelly issued a statement on the Executive Order signed by President Trump on March 6, 2017.