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
EOIR Swears in Nine Immigration Judges
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the investiture of nine new immigration judges (IJs) to fill positions in Bloomington, MN.; Boston; Cleveland; Harlingen, TX; New York; San Antonio; and San Francisco. A streamlined hiring process is being used to reach a total of 384 IJs.
Sign-On Letter from Law Scholars Urges Trump to Preserve DACA
On 8/14/17, a group of 104 law scholars sent a letter to President Trump on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has come under attack in recent weeks.
BIA Sustains Appeal, Finding Possession with Intent Is Not an Aggravated Felony
Unpublished BIA decision sustained the respondent’s appeal and remanded to determine eligibility for cancellation of removal, concluding that possession with intent is not an aggravated felony under Oklahoma statute. Courtesy of Arash Varshosaz. (Matter of Gonzalez, 8/14/17)
CA4 Vacates Immigration Fraud Conviction Due to Judge’s Negative Comments Regarding Diversity Visa Program
The court vacated the immigration fraud conviction of the appellee, who entered the U.S. through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, finding that the judge’s negative comments about the program improperly influenced the jury. Courtesy of Jorgelina Araneda. (United States v. Lefsih, 8/14/17)
USCIS Provides Q&As from Asylum Division Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting (8/11/17)
USCIS provides Q&As from the 8/11/17 Asylum Division stakeholder meeting. Topics discussed included TRIG cases, biometrics notices, post-interview delays, I-94s for defensive asylees, unaccompanied children, gang-related questions, attorney interaction during interviews, and more.
Guide to Responding to Inappropriate Immigration Judge Conduct
On 8/10/17, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) issued a new practitioner’s guide. The guide gives information about the range of options available when inappropriate immigration judge (IJ) conduct occurs, including how to file a complaint with the EOIR.
Sign-On Letter Calling on DHS Secretary to Stop Raids on UAC’s and Their Sponsors
On 8/10/17, AILA joined 376 organizations in urging Acting DHS Secretary Duke to cease the ICE raids on unaccompanied children and their sponsors. The letter cites the negative effects raids have on communities, including reduced engagement with local law enforcement.
BIA Termination Refiling of Same NTA
Unpublished BIA decision upholds IJ decision terminating proceedings for second time because second NTA contained same charge alleged in first NTA and because DHS failed to submit evidence during the first round of proceedings. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Kurremula, 8/10/17)
CA4 Says Individuals Subject to Reinstated Removal Orders May Not Apply for Asylum
The court held that an individual subject to a reinstated removal order is ineligible to seek asylum, finding that by enacting the reinstatement bar, Congress intended to preclude individuals subject to reinstated removal orders from applying for asylum. (Calla Mejia v. Sessions, 8/9/17)
CA4 Says North Carolina Deferred Prosecution Agreement Qualified as a “Conviction” Under the INA
The court denied the petition for review, holding that the BIA properly found the petitioner removable and inadmissible on the basis of his North Carolina deferred prosecution agreement for soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act. (Boggala v. Sessions, 8/9/17)
CA9 Finds Record of Conviction Inadequate to Determine Whether Petitioner Was Convicted of a CIMT
The court granted the petition for review of BIA’s decision finding petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal, holding that the record of conviction was inadequate to determine whether he was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. (Lozano-Arredondo v. Sessions, 8/8/17)
EOIR Releases Data on Orders of Removal, Voluntary Departures, and Final Decisions
EOIR released limited data from 2/1/17 through 7/31/17 on orders of removal, voluntary departure, and final decisions. Total orders of removal are up 27.8% from the same time period in 2016. Notice notes that DOJ has hired 54 additional immigration judges since President Trump took office.
SPLC Issues Letter with Serious Concerns Regarding Stewart Immigration Court
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) sent a letter to EOIR on the conduct of immigration judges and court personnel at the Stewart Immigration Court that break the rules of professional conduct and violate the due process of detainees. Letter includes recommendations and corrective measures.
ACLU and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies Reach FOIA Settlement Agreement with ICE
The ACLU and the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies reached a settlement agreement with ICE in a suit brought regarding delays in the production of information requested via FOIA on ICE’s detention of asylum seekers who are found to have a credible fear of persecution. (ACLU v. ICE, 8/8/17)
CA9 Says Oregon Conviction for Delivery of a Controlled Substance Is Not an Aggravated Felony
The court granted the petition for review, holding that the petitioner’s conviction for delivering heroin under Oregon Revised Statutes §475.992(1)(a) was not an aggravated felony. (Sandoval v. Sessions, 1/27/17, amended 8/8/17)
TRAC Data Shows Residents in Three Out of Four Counties in U.S. Now Before Immigration Court
The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) created a new web mapping application that allows the public to examine for the very first time the number of individuals residing in each state, county, and local community within a county, who have pending cases before the Immigration Court.
TRAC Data Shows Where You Live Impacts Ability To Obtain Representation in Immigration Court
The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) data shows that depending upon the community in which the immigrant resides, the odds of obtaining representation in Immigration Court deportation proceedings varies widely.
BIA Holds Michigan Assault Statute Is Not a Crime of Violence
Unpublished BIA decision holds that assault under Mich. Comp. Laws 750.81(4) is not a crime of violence under 18 USC §16(a) because it does not require an actual touching of the person assaulted or the victim to suffer actual injury or pain. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of S-S-P-, 8/4/17)
Immigration Lawyers Save Lives
I took part in the AILA Annual Conference training for new chapter chairs, and as an ‘icebreaker,' was asked to complete phrases handed out on little slips of paper. Mine read, “The best way to save….“ I immediately responded, “One way to save a life is to be an immigration lawyer.“
CA3 Says Obstructing Governmental Function Under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. §5101 Is Not a CIMT
The court held that obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. §5101 is not categorically a crime involving moral turpitude, as the offense encompasses non-fraudulent as well as fraudulent conduct. (Ildefonso-Candelario v. Att’y Gen., 8/3/17)
DOJ Announces Anti-Sanctuary City Language Required for Participation in Public Safety Partnership Program
The Department of Justice announced that, in order to participate in the Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program, local jurisdictions must answer questions that “show a commitment to reducing crime stemming from illegal immigration.” Twelve locations were initially selected for the program.
BIA Says Asylum Grantee Who Adjusts to LPR Status Under INA §209(b) Terminates His or Her Asylee Status
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. Matter of N-A-I-, 27 I&N Dec. 72 (BIA 2017)
Advocates File Amicus Brief with BIA on the Modified Categorical Approach and CIMTs
Responding to an amicus invitation, AILA, the Immigrant Defense Project, and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild filed a brief taking the position that the BIA should not depart from the categorical approach when analyzing reprehensibility element of the CIMT analysis.
Motions to Suppress in Removal Proceedings: A General Overview
This American Immigration Council practice advisory provides a general overview of motions to suppress, a tool used to prevent the introduction of evidence obtained by federal immigration officers in violation of the Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, and related provisions of federal law.
Motions to Suppress in Removal Proceedings: Fighting Back Against Unlawful Conduct by CBP
This American Immigration Council practice advisory addresses some of the legal issues that may arise when noncitizens in removal proceedings seek to suppress evidence unlawfully obtained by CBP officers, including factual scenarios that may give rise to successful motions to suppress evidence.