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
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)
Statistics on ERO Detainers and Administrative Arrests Obtained by Washington Post
The Washington Post obtained statistics from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on detainers by area of responsibility from 1/20/17 to 3/13/17 and administrative arrests by area of responsibility and criminality from 1/20/14 through 3/13/17.
EOIR Reminder Regarding Filing Locations
EOIR released a message reminding those individuals in proceedings that the agency maintains a web page to assist parties and representatives in identifying filing locations for all immigration courts and associated hearing locations.
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)
BIA Finds Placement in California Diversion Program Not a Conviction for Immigration Purposes
Unpublished BIA decision holds that respondent’s 1994 placement in a diversion program under Cal. Penal Code 1000.3 is not a “conviction” for immigration purposes because statute did not then require finding or admission of guilt. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Pacheco-Sanchez, 3/10/17)
BIA Holds South Carolina Domestic Violence Statute Does Not Require Use of Force
Unpublished BIA decision holds that criminal domestic violence under S.C. Code Ann. 16-25-20(A) is not necessarily a crime of violence under 18 U.S.C. 16(a) because it does not require force as an element. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of D-E-C-, 3/10/17)
BIA Holds IJ Should Have Accepted Late-Filed Evidence
Unpublished BIA decision holds that IJ should have considered late-filed evidence that was submitted 34 days prior to hearing and was not opposed by DHS. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of J-J-B-M-, 3/9/17)
BIA Orders Further Consideration of Whether Money Laundering Conviction is Aggravated Felony
Unpublished BIA decision orders further consideration of whether money laundering conviction is aggravated felony because IJ improperly equated amount of forfeiture with amount of funds involved in laundering. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Lemus, 3/9/17)
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order Because NTA Was Only Served on Minor
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order because NTA was only served on the respondent, who was under 14 years of age at the time of service. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of G-A-M-A-, 3/9/17)
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order for Spouse of Military Veteran
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order for spouse of U.S. Army veteran who had been granted parole in place and was the beneficiary of a pending visa petition. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Mejia, 3/9/17)
CA3 Finds Petitioner’s Conviction for Sodomy Is Not a CIMT
The court reversed the BIA’s decision that the petitioner’s crime was the “functional equivalent” of a conviction for forcible sodomy, and held that the petitioner’s conviction for sodomy was not a crime involving moral turpitude. (Chavez-Alvarez v. Attorney General, 3/9/17)
H.R. 1468: Recognizing America’s Children Act
On 3/9/17, Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) introduced the Recognizing America’s Children Act (H.R. 1468), which would allow young people who were brought to this country as children and grew up in the U.S. to adjust their status. The bill has 18 Republican cosponsors.
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)
DOJ Memo to Federal Prosecutors on Commitment to Targeting Violent Crimes
DOJ issued a memorandum directing a focused effort to investigate, prosecute, and deter crime, including directing the 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices to partner with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify individuals who committed significant violent crimes.
BIA Finds LPR Did Not Abandon Residence Despite Absence of Nearly Three Years
Unpublished BIA decision finds respondent did not intend to abandon LPR status despite being abroad for 33 months because DHS failed to demonstrate the lack of a continuous intent to return. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Lei, 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)
CA10 Says Petitioner’s Conviction for Providing False Information to a City Official During an Investigation Is Not a CIMT
The court held that the petitioner’s conviction for violating Denver Municipal Code §38-40, which prohibits giving false information to a city official during an investigation, did not constitute a crime involving moral turpitude. (Flores-Molina v. Sessions, 3/7/17)
CA8 Finds Violation of Kansas Municipal Theft Ordinance Is a Conviction and a CIMT
The court denied the petition for review, holding that the municipal judgments entered against the petitioners in Kansas for theft qualified as criminal convictions as well as crimes involving moral turpitude. (Dominguez-Herrera v. Sessions, 3/7/17)
List of ICE Facilities Authorized to Hold Detainees for Under 72 Hours
List of ICE detention facilities authorized to hold detainees under 72 hours as of 3/6/17. Data was requested by AILA Liaison on 12/1/16.
DHS OIG: Management Alert on Serious Issues at Detention Facility in Orange, California
The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report with an alert on issues requiring immediate action at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, California including serious concerns of health risks and violations of ICE’s detention standards, following an unannounced inspection in November 2016.
BIA Finds Attorney Provided Ineffective Assistance by Failing to Submit Timely Cancellation Application
Unpublished BIA decision holds that the attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to file a cancellation application before the court-imposed deadline and that respondent substantially complied with Matter of Lozada. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Sazo-Hernandez, 3/6/17)
Florida Judge Rules That Miami-Dade’s ICE Detainer Policy Violates the Constitution
A judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida found that Miami-Dade County violated the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution when it agreed to allow county jails to hold undocumented immigrants slated for deportation by federal agents. (Lacroix v. Junior, 3/3/17)
BIA Says Transporting a Loaded Firearm Under Oklahoma Law Is Categorically a Firearms Offense
The BIA held that the crime of transporting a loaded firearm under Oklahoma law is categorically a firearms offense under INA §237(a)(2)(C), in light of the “expansive text and history” of §237(a)(2)(C). Matter of Flores-Abarca, 26 I&N Dec. 922 (BIA 2017)
Letter to EOIR: Atlanta Immigration Court Judges Fail to Uphold Ethical Standards
A 3/2/17 letter from the Southern Poverty Law Center and Emory University School of Law with findings of observations of the Atlanta Immigration Court, stating that Atlanta Immigration Court judges are failing to uphold ethical standards that ensure immigrants receive fair and impartial treatment.
DHS Provides Q&As Regarding DHS Implementation of the Executive Order on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
DHS issued Q&As, last updated on 3/2/17, to answer Frequently Asked Questions about how the Department will operationally implement the guidance provided by the president’s Executive Order on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement.