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 Training Course on Note-Taking During Asylum Interviews
USCIS provided the RAIO training course on the importance of taking clear and comprehensive notes during the interview, the characteristics of proper notes, and procedures for proper note-taking.
RAIO Combined Training Course: Interviewing - Eliciting Testimony
This training module instructs students on how to elicit information from an interviewee in a non-adversarial manner.
RAIO Combined Training Course: Interviewing Survivors of Torture and Other Severe Trauma
This lesson focuses primarily on the effects of torture and severe trauma and how these effects can affect the interview process.
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Interviewing – Working with an Interpreter
USCIS released its Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations (RAIO) Directorate officer training course on “Interviewing – Working with an Interpreter.” The module describes the role and responsibilities of an interpreter, and how officers can communicate effectively through an interpreter.
Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Safety and Security of the Homeland
DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson issued a statement on the actions DHS is taking to secure the United States, and the ways in which DHS believes that Congress could provide help, including by passing legislation to assist in DHS’s security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Discretion
USCIS provided its RAIO Combined Training Course on discretion. This module provides guidelines for adjudicating immigration benefits or requests that are subject to DHS's discretion. The module addresses the basis for determining when discretion is warranted and for performing legal analysis.
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Decision Making
USCIS provided the RAIO Combined Training Course on decision making. This module describes the general factual, legal, and analytical considerations involved in constructing legally sufficient decisions.
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Researching and Using Country of Origin Information in RAIO Adjudications
This RAIO Combined Training Course module provides guidelines on the use of Country of Origin Information in adjudicating immigration benefits, petitions, protection determinations, and other immigration-related requests.
USCIS Provides RAIO Combined Training Course on Cross-Cultural Communication
USCIS provided the RAIO Combined Training Course on cross-cultural communication and other factors that may impede communication at an interview.
Beirut and Paris, What Can We Do?
The recent events in Beirut, Baghdad and Paris have brought feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, and helplessness. While these feelings in the coming weeks may subside and take a backseat to the holiday season, they will not entirely go away. And, they shouldn't. The thought that there has to be
CA1 Upholds BIA's Denial of Guatemalan Petitioner's Motion to Removal Proceedings
The court held that BIA did not abuse its discretion in declining to reopen the Guatemalan petitioner's removal proceedings, finding the motion was untimely, and petitioner had not made a showing of changed country conditions sufficient to warrant reopening. (Mejía-Ramaja v. Lynch, 11/20/15)
USCIS Message on Refugee Form I-94 Automation
USCIS message that employers should be aware that CBP has automated Form I-94 processing for refugees. The stamped paper form will no longer be provided to a refugee upon arrival, except in limited circumstances. A refugee can obtain a copy of their I-94 from the Get I-94 Information website.
CRS Report on Syrian Refugee Admissions and Resettlement in the U.S.
A Congressional Research Service report on Syrian refugee admissions and resettlement in the U.S., including information on refugee ceiling and regional allocations, the refugee admissions process, and refugee resettlement. Between FY2011 and 10/31/15, the U.S. admitted 2,070 Syrian refugees.
Letter to President Obama from Former DHS Secretaries on the Refugee Resettlement Program
On 11/19/15, former DHS Secretaries Janet Napolitano and Michael Chertoff sent a letter to the President expressing that the current vetting process for resettlement admits the most vulnerable refugees with the highest level of scrutiny from a law enforcement and national security perspective.
CA9 Upholds Denial of Asylum to HIV-Positive Citizen of Mexico
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA's denial of the claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief of the petitioner, a citizen of Mexico who had sought relief based on his sexual orientation and HIV-positive status. (Bringas-Rodriguez v. Lynch, 11/19/15)
Scapegoating Refugees is Not the Solution
Somewhere in the deepest recesses of my mind, I live in constant fear. Many of us do. It's a natural reaction. Every day we step outside we are exposing ourselves to those things we fear. I fear a texting driver may hit my car. I fear a person with a gun could shoot up a […]
AILA Quicktake #148: Syrian Refugee Response
AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis shares the latest on the response to the Syrian refugee crisis and what AILA members can do to encourage lawmakers to welcome refugees.
AILA Urges Senators to Oppose Suspending or Restricting Refugee Programs
AILA’s statement submitted to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for a hearing on 11/19/15 titled “The Impact of ISIS on the Homeland and Refugee Resettlement.”
AILA’s Take on Protecting Syrian Refugees
This AILA backgrounder provides information on the refugee screening process, a historical snapshot of refugees that have been permitted to resettle in the U.S., as well as recommendations for Congress.
AILA: How President Obama Can Reform Immigration in His Last Year
AILA issued a report card on President Obama’s immigration efforts over the past seven years and made recommendations. AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis states, “In his final year, President Obama can save thousands of lives, keep families together, and help our economy thrive.”
AILA Report Card: How President Obama Can Improve Immigration In His Last Year
AILA urges President Obama to lead on immigration and ensure lasting change for the nation, with recommendations in: refugee and humanitarian protection; the legal immigration system; enforcement; and protecting undocumented families and others with strong ties to America. Share the Report Card!
AILA Urges House Members to Oppose Suspending or Restricting Refugee Programs
AILA’s statement submitted to the House Judiciary Committee for a hearing on 11/19/15 titled “The Syrian Refugee Crisis and its Impact on the Security of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program.”
AILA: Backlash Against Refugees Unbefitting of America
AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis calls on the government to support the refugee settlement program, saying Syrian refugees “need protection and assistance, not barred and locked doors, or closed borders."
Sign-On Letter to Members of Congress in Support of Protecting Refugees
On 11/17/15, AILA joined humanitarian aid organizations, faith, labor, and civil and human rights groups in expressing support for the U.S. refugee resettlement program and opposing any proposals to suspend or restrict funding for Syrian and other refugees.
Recent Ninth Circuit Case Law November 2015
Summary of recent case law out of the Ninth Circuit, courtesy of the AILA Southern California Chapter. The information was compiled in November 2015 and should be used as a starting point in research.