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
USCIS Comment Request on Form I-212
USCIS 60-day notice for comments on proposed revisions to Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. after Deportation or Removal. Revised Form and Instructions are included. Comments are due by 9/15/14. (79 FR 41585, 7/16/14)
CA7 Applies Camarillo, Says Defective NTA Suffices for Triggering Stop-Time Rule
The court applied Chevron deference and upheld the BIA’s decision in Camarillo that a Notice to Appear (NTA) that does not specify a particular time and date for an initial hearing suffices to trigger the stop-time rule under INA §240A(d)(1). (Wang v. Holder, 7/16/14)
BIA Asks IJ to Provide Further Analysis on Extreme Hardship to USC Children
Unpublished BIA decision remanding cancellation denial, asking IJ to provide further analysis on hardship to respondent’s four U.S. Citizen (USC) children if they were relocated to Mexico, as well as an elaboration on the hardship suffered by son with medical condition. Courtesy of Diana M. Bailey.
CA1 Declines to Review Adjustment Denial for Lack of Jurisdiction
The court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, finding the IJ properly exercised her discretion in denying the adjustment application, considering the child abuse reports and a criminal charge, and petitioner presented no legal argument to undermine that result. (Jaquez v. Holder, 7/15/14)
AILA NY Letter to Sen. Schumer on UACs
A 7/15/14 letter from the AILA New York Chapter and the New York Immigration Coalition to Senator Schumer (D-NY) urging him to oppose any plans to expedite the deportation of Central American children to the dangers they escaped in their countries, or lessen protections included in the TVPRA.
TRAC Report on New Data on Unaccompanied Children in Immigration Court
Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) report finding that the more than 100,000 case records obtained show almost half of the unaccompanied alien children (UAC) appeared in court without an attorney. Report includes new tool for UAC cases as well as data on representation of UACs.
Senator Flake (R-AZ) Amendment to Weaken the TVPRA
On 7/9/14 Sen. Flake (R-AZ) filed an amendment (to an unrelated bill) to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to allow for the expedited removal of unaccompanied minors from non-contiguous countries.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Hearing on Root Causes Behind Rise in UACs
A 7/16/14 hearing in the Senate Homeland Security Committee on, “Challenges at the Border: Examining and Addressing the Root Causes Behind the Rise in Apprehensions at the Southern Border.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on UACs
A 7/17/14 hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on, “Dangerous Passage: Central America in Crisis and the Exodus of Unaccompanied Minors,” presided by Senator Menendez (D-NJ).
Law Professors Letter of Fairness for Central American Children
A 7/14/14 letter to President Obama signed by 112 professors and researchers with experience teaching and practicing in the areas of immigration, human rights, and international law urging him to maintain the obligations to treat children differently under immigration laws and uphold the TVPRA.
DOL TEGL on DACA Recipient Eligibility for DOL Programs
DOL Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TELG) No. 02-14 provides guidance to states and recipients concerning the eligibility of individuals granted relief under DACA with employment authorization for program eligibility for Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act programs.
CA1 Declines to Review Withholding Denial for Petitioner from Brazil
The court upheld the BIA’s finding that the petitioner feared harm in Brazil as a result of a personal dispute and not on account of membership in his immediate family or as part of the social group of people who help Brazilian women escape violent relationships. (Moura v. Holder, 7/14/14)
CA1 Finds Activity Before and After Marriage Is Relevant to Good Faith Inquiry
The court found that the petitioner, who applied for a waiver to remove conditions after her divorce, failed to meet the good faith burden, as activity before and after the moment of marriage was relevant to the inquiry. (Lin v. Holder, 7/14/14)
CA1 Says Connecticut Child Pornography Conviction Is an Aggravated Felony
The court denied the petition, finding the BIA correctly concluded that it necessarily established that the conviction of possession of child pornography under §53a-193(13)(2003) of the Connecticut statute was an aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(I). (Kaufmann v. Holder, 7/14/14)
CA7 Applies Chevron Deference to BIA’s Interpretation of INA §240A(b)(1)(C)
The court agreed with the BIA that an alien convicted of an offense under INA §237(a)(2) is ineligible for cancellation under INA §240A(b)(1)(C), regardless of whether he is charged with removal under §212 as an inadmissible alien or §237 as a deportable alien. (Coyomani v. Holder, 7/14/14)
CA7 Upholds Denial of Continuance for Petitioner with Multiple Traffic Violations
The court held that there was enough evidence before the IJ and BIA to conclude that petitioner lacked the good moral character necessary for cancellation, and that the outcome of the latest criminal proceeding was immaterial. (Ortiz-Estrada v. Holder, 7/3/14)
CA4 Affirms Denial of NACARA Relief Due to Persecutor’s Bar
The court found the BIA did not err in ruling the petitioner was ineligible for special rule cancellation of removal under NACARA, as during his service in the Salvadoran military, he assisted in persecution of individuals because of their political views. (Quitanilla v. Holder, 7/14/14)
CA8 Says Denial of Motion to Suppress Records Did Not Violate Statutory Rights
The court upheld the adjustment denial, finding that it was not a violation of petitioner’s statutory rights to deny the motion to suppress the I-9 Forms and educational records, as these documents contained her false statements of U.S. citizenship. (Downs v. Holder, 7/14/14)
BIA Orders Further Consideration of Motion to Suppress Based on Local Traffic Stop
Unpublished BIA decision remands for further consideration of motion to suppress because the IJ failed to assess the legality of the initial traffic stop by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Sanchez, 7/11/14)
BIA Says No Need to Spend 10-Year Bar Under INA §212(a)(9)(A)(ii) Outside the U.S.
Unpublished BIA decision finding that respondent was not inadmissible under INA §212(a)(9)(A)(ii) and therefore, did not require an I-212 waiver, since more than 10 years had passed since the time he was ordered removed in 2002, even though he reentered in 2006. Courtesy of Araceli Perez-Brizo.
BIA Remands to Consider Claim Involving “Interfiling” of I-140
Unpublished BIA decision remands for further consideration of the respondent’s adjustment application and first Form I-140 and whether he maintained lawful status in light of the “interfiling” of a second I-140 that was found to be fraudulent. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Hong, 4/29/14)
EOIR Interim Rule on Designation of Temporary Immigration Judges
EOIR interim rule to allow former Board members, former IJs, and administrative law judges employed within or retired from EOIR and other agencies to act as temporary immigration judges for renewable six-month terms. Rule is effective 7/11/14. Comments due by 9/9/14. (79 FR 39953, 7/11/14)
Talking Points on Proposals to Roll Back TVPRA Protections for UACs (Updated 7/16/14)
Talking Points on why Congress should not roll back protections for unaccompanied children from non-contiguous countries guaranteed under the TVPRA. Authored by the Women’s Refugee Commission, First Focus Campaign for Children, The Voices and Faces Protect and AILA.
AILA Quicktake #89: Senate Hearing on the President's Emergency Supplemental Request
AILA Advocacy Director Greg Chen provides an analysis on yesterday's Senate Appropriations Committee hearing titled, "Review of the President's Emergency Supplemental Request for Unaccompanied Children and Related Matters."
Senate Appropriations Hearing on President's Emergency Supplemental Request for UAC Matters
A 7/10/14 hearing in the Senate Appropriations committee, “Review of the President’s Emergency Supplemental Request for Unaccompanied Children and Related Matters.”