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
BIA Reopens and Terminates Proceedings After Post-Departure Bar Struck Down
Unpublished BIA decision reopens and terminates proceedings in light of DHS non-opposition following remand from First Circuit decision striking down post-departure bar in 8 CFR 1003.2(d). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Perez, 3/31/14)
CA3 Says Pennsylvania Indecent Assault Conviction Is an Aggravated Felony
The court found the BIA reasonably determined that “indecent” contact referred to in the PA indecent assault statute categorically constituted molestation, and by extension, sexual abuse of a minor, and found petitioner removable under INA §237(a)(2)(A)(iii). (Cadapan v. Att'y Gen., 3/30/14)
BIA Holds North Carolina Assault on Female Not a CIMT or Crime of Domestic Violence
Unpublished BIA decision holds assault on female under N.C. Stat. 14-33(c)(2) is not a categorical CIMT or a crime of domestic violence, and that the statue is not divisible under Descamps v. U.S., 133 S. Ct. 2276 (2013). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Jurado, 3/28/14)
BIA Faults IJ For Incorporating By Reference to DHS Brief
Unpublished BIA decision remands record where IJ issued summary decision incorporating by reference the reasoning in the DHS brief. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Yang, 3/28/14)
BIA Grants Remand After Filing of U Visa Application
Unpublished BIA decision grants motion to remand over DHS opposition in light of filing of U visa petition supported by approved law enforcement certification. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Ramos, 3/28/14)
BIA on “Lawful Status” Requirement and Renewed Adjustment Applications
Unpublished BIA decision states that applicants who renew adjustment application in removal proceedings need not have maintained “lawful status” if requirement was met when application was originally filed with USCIS. (Matter of Lee, 3/27/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA on §237(a)(1)(H) Waiver Eligibility
Unpublished BIA decision agreeing with the IJ that respondent was statutorily eligible for a waiver of deportability under §237(a)(1)(H) as a matter of discretion, even though he failed to disclose his time in the Serbian Army. Courtesy of Marshal E. Hyman.
BIA on Readjustment Under INA § 209(b)
The Board held that an alien whose status has been adjusted from asylee to lawful permanent resident cannot subsequently readjust status under INA §209(b). Matter of C-J-H-, 26 I&N Dec. 284 (BIA 2014).
CA3 Finds Smuggling Bar Does not Apply to Petitioner’s Conduct
The court reversed and remanded, finding that since petitioner’s conviction was based on transporting noncitizens when they were already in the U.S. and no conduct related to assisting their entry, the § 212(a)(6)(E)(i) smuggling bar did not apply. (Parra-Rojas v. Att'y Gen., 3/26/14)
AILA's Recommendations to DHS on Enforcement (Updated 4/3/14)
These are AILA's recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security to consider immediately to protect families and ensure enforcement practices comport with the American values of due process, equal rights, and human dignity.
BIA Remands for Consideration of Relief Under Former §212(c)
Unpublished BIA decision granting the motion to reopen and remanding for consideration of the respondent’s application for relief under former §212(c), in light of the holdings in INS v. St. Cyr and Vartelas v. Holder. Courtesy of Siana J. McLean.
BIA Upholds Grant of §237(a)(1)(H) Waiver
Unpublished BIA decision upholds grant of waiver under INA §237(a)(1)(H) where DHS failed to preserve argument regarding respondent’s participation in Srebrenica Massacre, and where respondent merited a favorable exercise of discretion. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of B-S-, 3/24/14)
BIA Says Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Can Excuse Failure to Appear
Unpublished BIA decision remands for consideration of whether respondent’s failure to appear was due to exceptional circumstances, including ineffective assistance of counsel. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Gomez-Alonzo, 3/26/14)
BIA Remands to Consider Eligibility for Provisional Waiver
Unpublished BIA decision remands record in light of intervening publication of final regulations establishing provisional unlawful presence waivers (Form I-601A), and if so, whether administrative closure was appropriate. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Paredes, 3/24/14)
BIA Reopens Sua Sponte for Waiver Under Former §212(c)
Unpublished BIA decision reopens proceedings sua sponte in light of Matter of Abdelghany, 26 I&N Dec. 254 (BIA 2014), and other decisions making respondent eligible for waiver under former INA §212(c). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Simmonds, 3/24/14)
Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) Letter to DHS on Detention
A 3/24/14 letter from Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to Department of Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson with recommendation to decrease prolonged immigration detention, including the use of bonds or conditional parole and the definition of custody for mandatory detention.
BIA Grants DHS Motion to Remand Following CA7 Decision in Margulis
Unpublished BIA decision grants DHS motion to remand to permit petitioner in Margulis v. Holder, 725 F.3d 385 (7th Cir. 2013), to apply for a standalone 212(h) waiver despite prior BIA finding that he was not seeking admission. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Margulis, 3/21/14)
BIA Holds Extension of Nonimmigrant Visa Renders Entire Waiting Period in “Lawful Status”
Unpublished BIA decision finds respondents maintained “lawful status” for entire period that applications to extend nonimmigrant status were pending, even though approval notice was sent years after extensions expired. (Matter of Norra, 3/21/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Finds Adjustment Application Not Abandoned
Unpublished BIA decision finds respondents did not abandon adjustment application where IJ failed to advise him of the consequences of failing to file his criminal record or updating his fingerprints. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Toma, 3/20/14)
BIA Orders Further Consideration of Ineffective Assistance Claim
Unpublished BIA decision remands for further consideration of ineffective assistance of counsel and states that requirements of Matter of Lozada “need not be rigidly enforced where their purpose is fully served by other means.” Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Rodriguez, 3/20/14)
CA8 Finds Petitioner Ineligible for Both Cancellation and §212(h) Waiver
The court deferred to the BIA’s reasonable construction of §212(h), that §212(h) relief was unavailable for those convicted of an aggravated felony after acquiring LPR status, without regard to the manner in which such status was acquired. (Roberts v. Holder, 3/20/14)
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications for First Quarter of FY2014
USCIS statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake (accepted and rejected), biometrics, and case status (received, approved, denied, or pending) for FY2012 through FY2014, with FY2014 data for the first quarter.
CA8 Denies Withholding and CAT Relief to Guatemalan Petitioner Fleeing MS-13
The court declined to review the CAT and withholding denials, finding that the Guatemalan petitioner did not present any evidence indicating that those who identify MS-13 gang members to police suffer greater crime than others who resist gang violence. (Garcia v. Holder, 3/19/14)
CA7 Vacates Removal Order for Honest Mexican Police Officer Seeking Asylum
The court found the removal order of the Mexican petitioner seeking asylum under the social group of honest police officers could not stand without further proceedings, and the distinction between honest police and effective honest police was without merit. (R.R.D. v. Holder, 3/19/14)
BIA Says Texas Class A Assault Qualifies for Petty Offense Exception
Unpublished BIA decision says Texas conviction for “Class A” assault would qualify for petty offense exception even if it is a CIMT. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Tipaz, 3/19/14)