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
AILA Submits Amicus Brief on Motions to Reopen
AILA submitted an amicus brief, filed with the Sixth Circuit, explaining the mechanics of a motion to reopen, with an emphasis on motions to reopen for changed country conditions or other changes in law that affect an individual’s removability.
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order Because NTA Did Not Specify Immigration Court
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order because NTA did not specify the particular immigration court at which the respondent was required to appear. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Ramos, 2/9/18)
CA7 Denies Petition for Review of Denial of CAT Relief for Bisexual Jamaican Citizen
The court concluded that the denial of CAT deferral of removal was supported by substantial evidence, finding that the petitioner, a bisexual Jamaican citizen, did not provide sufficient evidence that he specifically would be targeted for extreme violence. (Bernard v. Sessions, 2/8/18)
CA5 Denies Petition for Review Where Petitioner Claimed Lack of Notice of Hearing
The court denied the petition for review, holding that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in affirming the IJ’s decision that the petitioner received proper notice of her hearing where delivery of the notice occurred at the address the petitioner provided. (Garcia Nunez v. Sessions, 2/8/18)
EOIR Swears in Five Immigration Judges
EOIR announced the investiture of five new immigration judges on February 8, 2018. Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Angelo J. DiCamillo, John M. Gillies, Mindy E. Hoeppner, Cort M. Picton, and Nathaniel B. Walker to their new positions.
Coalition for the American Dream Opposes H.R. 4760
On 2/8/18, the Coalition for the American Dream, of which AILA is a member, sent a letter to Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress declaring opposition to H.R. 4760: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018, which does not provide a permanent workable legislative solution for Dreamers.
House Minority Leaders Request Speaker Ryan Schedule a Vote to Protect Dreamers
On 2/8/18, House minority leaders Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and James Clyburn (D-SC) wrote a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) requesting he assure the scheduling of a vote on a DACA bill. They mentioned that Democrats have supported a budget agreement to keep the government open.
CA9 Finds INA §318 Did Not Preclude District Court from Considering Petitioners’ Naturalization Applications
The court held that INA §318 does not preclude a district court from considering a naturalization application that is properly before the court pursuant to INA §336(b). (Yith v. Nielsen, 2/7/18)
CA1 Finds Salvadoran Petitioner Did Not Establish Nexus Between Fear of Harm and a Familial Relationship
The court denied the petition for review, holding that the petitioner did not establish a nexus between her fear of harm by gang members and a familial relationship and that the harm was motivated by the gang’s desire to extort money from her. (Villalta-Martinez v. Sessions, 2/7/18)
District Court Finds No Authority to Detain People Exclusively on the Basis of Suspected Civil Immigration Violations
A federal district court issued an order finding, among other things, that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department “does not have authority to detain people exclusively on the basis of suspected civil immigration violations.” (Roy v. County of Los Angeles, 2/7/18)
BIA Remands for Testimony on Amount of Loss to Victims of Fraud
Unpublished BIA decision holds that IJ should have permitted respondent to testify regarding amount of loss to the victims before finding that he had been convicted of an aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(M)(i). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Mena, 2/7/18)
CA5 Finds Plaintiff Could Not Prove United States Citizenship
The court concluded that the plaintiff, born in 1969 in Mexico, could not meet the requirements to prove United States citizenship because he could not show that he was legitimated by his United States citizen father before the plaintiff turned 21. (Gonzalez-Segura v. Sessions, 2/6/18)
DOJ 30-Day Notice and Request for Comments on Proposed Revisions to Form EOIR-26A
DOJ 30-day notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to Form EOIR-26A, Fee Waiver Request. Comments are due 3/7/18. (83 FR 5145, 2/5/18)
S. 2367 Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act of 2018
On 2/5/18, Senators Christopher Coons (D-DE) and John McCain (R-AZ) introduced the Uniting and Securing America Act of 2018 (S. 2367) to provide adjustment of status for DACA recipients, improve border security, and reduce delays in immigration court, among other things.
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order Against Respondent Who Recently Gave Birth
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order upon finding that respondent giving birth via caesarean section 10 days prior constituted exceptional circumstances for her failure to appear. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Valencia Barragan, 2/5/18)
USCIS Provides Questions and Statistics from TRIG Meeting (2/14/18)
On 2/4/18, AILA and other stakeholders met with the USCIS Terrorist-Related Inadmissibility Grounds (TRIG) Working Group. USCIS answered questions and provided statistics regarding TRIG exemptions in adjustment, refugee, and asylum cases.
CA1 Upholds Denial of Withholding of Removal and CAT Protection to Honduran Petitioner
The court denied the petition for review, finding, among other things, that the evidence did not compel a finding that the petitioner established a nexus between his alleged past persecution or any likely future persecution and his family membership. (Ruiz-Escobar v. Sessions, 2/2/18)
Discussion of EOIR's Revised Guidance on Immigration Court Cases Involving Juveniles
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) along with Tahirih Justice Center responded to EOIR’s OPPM 17-03 on immigration cases involving juveniles, which rescinded and replaced OPPM 07-01. They note that OPPM 17-03 is significantly less favorable to children.
BIA Orders Respondent Detained without Bond Due to DUIs
The BIA vacated the IJ’s decision to set a $25,000 bond and ordered detention without bond, after finding that the respondent did not meet his burden to show that he was not a danger to the community due to multiple convictions for DUIs. Matter of Siniauskas, 27 I&N Dec. 207 (BIA 2018)
CA5 Partially Dismisses and Partially Denies Petition for Review of BIA’s Denial of Motion to Reopen
The court partially dismissed the petition for lack of jurisdiction and partially denied the petition, finding that the petitioner’s claim that the BIA violated his due process rights was unavailing. (Mejia v. Sessions, 2/2/18)
BIA Vacates Denial of Bond Hearing to Respondent Mistakenly Designated as Arriving Alien
Unpublished BIA decision reversed determination that IJ lacked jurisdiction over bond hearing where respondent was apprehended after entering country and was mistakenly designated an arriving alien on the NTA. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of A-M-Y-, 2/2/18)
BIA Reopens and Terminates Proceedings Sua Sponte Following Reduction in Drug Sentence
Unpublished BIA decision reopens and terminates proceedings sua sponte following reduction of respondent’s sentence for possession of cocaine to simple drug misdemeanor under Cal. Penal Code 1170.18(G). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Gonzalez, 2/2/18)
District Court Enjoins Removal of Indonesian Christian Petitioners
The judge issued an injunction prohibiting the government from removing any of the named petitioners, with certain conditions providing for the termination of the injunction as to individual petitioners as their cases proceed through the court system. (Devitri v. Cronen, 2/1/18)
White House Principles on Immigration
AILA provides resources on the immigration principles and policies released by the White House on 10/8/17, including information on border security, interior enforcement, and the creation of a "merit-based" immigration system.
Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest DACA Recipients
CBP announced that on 1/31/18, Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national identified as a recipient for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, attempting to smuggle two undocumented immigrants into the United States.