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/SCOPS Liaison Q&As (11/13/13)
Q&As from the 11/13/13 teleconference with SCOPS include an update on FY2014 H-1B processing and H-1B extensions, late filings post-government shutdown, EB-1(3) denials, boilerplate O-1 RFEs, translations, and OPT unpaid employment.
BIA Remands to Consider Whether New York Second Degree Forgery is CIMT
Unpublished BIA decision remands for further proceedings on whether second degree forgery under NYPL 170.10 is a categorical CIMT. (Matter of Wong, 11/12/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
CBP Service Motion to Reopen Finding Utah Wrong Appropriation Conviction Not CIMT
CBP service motion to reopen on Form I-192, finding that a conviction of wrongful appropriation, in violation of 76 6 404.5 of the Utah Criminal Code, does not constitute a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) and thus has no effect on admissibility. Courtesy of J. Christopher Keen.
CA8 Denies Asylum to Chinese Christian from Indonesia
The court denied asylum, upholding the findings of the IJ and BIA that the harm Petitioner suffered did not rise to the level of persecution, while also noting State Department reports of decreased violence involving Chinese Christians in Indonesia. (Supangat v. Holder, 11/7/13)
BIA Remands Finding That LPR Abandoned Status Due to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Unpublished BIA decision remands for further consideration of whether respondent abandoned LPR status where the prior attorney failed to submit evidence of ties to United States (Matter of Ye, 11/8/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
CA11 Holds Florida Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance Is Not Aggravated Felony
The court granted the petition, vacated and remanded, applying the categorical approach and holding that a conviction under Fla. Stat. §893.13(1)(a)(2) for the possession of cannabis with the intent to sell or deliver is not an aggravated felony. (Donawa v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 11/7/13)
BIA Holds Pending Application for H-1B Extension Does Not Confer "Lawful Status" Under INA 245(k)
Unpublished BIA decision upholds denial of adjustment application and finds the filing of an application to extend nonimmigrant status does not confer “lawful status” under Section 245(k) of the INA. (Matter of Trupcevic, 11/7/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Finds IJ Failed to Advise Respondent of Eligibility for Cancellation
Unpublished BIA decision remands record because IJ neglected to advise respondent of potential eligibility for non-LPR cancellation under 8 CFR 1240.11(a)(2). (Matter of Leon, 11/7/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Remands for IJ to Consider Impact of New Medical Diagnosis of Child
Unpublished BIA decision remanding cancellation denial, asking IJ to consider new Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis of respondent’s son as well as wife’s health and income in assessing hardship to children, who are qualifying relatives. Courtesy of Diana M. Bailey.
Practice Alert on Long-Pending DACA Cases at the Nebraska Service Center (Updated 12/30/13)
The AILA NSC Liaison Committee alerts members of long-pending DACA cases at the Nebraska Service Center and summarizes common factors in some cases that may explain slow processing times.
CA9 Overturns Asylum Denial for Pakistani Petitioner
The court overturned the termination of Petitioner’s asylum status, finding that DHS failed to give proper notice of its witnesses or exhibits, and since Petitioner refused to testify, the exhibits could not be used as impeachment evidence. (Urooj v. Holder, 11/6/13)
CA1 Remands Pentecostal Russian Asylum Claim
The court vacated and remanded, finding that the BIA erred when it found that the persecution the petitioner experienced in Russia was not “on account of” his Pentecostal faith. (Ivanov v. Holder, 11/5/13)
IJ Finds Marijuana Conviction Is Not Categorically an Aggravated Felony
Immigration judge issued an order that applies Moncrieffe and concludes that the respondent is not removable as an aggravated felon for his conviction of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and remains eligible to be considered for cancellation. Courtesy of Joshua Sleper.
BIA Holds E-2 Spouses Not Required to Obtain EAD
Unpublished BIA decision reverses denial of adjustment application and holds respondent was not required to obtain an employment authorization document as the spouse of an E-2 treaty investor. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Lee, 11/5/13)
DOJ Requests Comments on Voluntary Form EOIR 31A
DOJ 60-day comment request on the Request by Organization for Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representative (Voluntary Form EOIR-31A). Comments are due 1/6/14. (78 FR 66382, 11/5/13)
BIA Remands Case of Unrepresented Respondent With Limited English Skills
Unpublished BIA decision remands to allow unrepresented respondent who was unfamiliar with English to apply for relief from removal. (Matter of Gomez-Amaya, 11/5/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
CA1 Upholds Adverse Credibility Finding for Guatemalan Petitioner
The court denied the application for CAT relief and upheld the adverse credibility finding due to the Petitioner’s inconsistencies in his submissions and testimony. (Martinez v. Holder, 11/4/13)
CA1 Denies Asylum to Former 18th Street Gang Member from El Salvador
The court denied the petition for review, upholding the BIA’s finding that membership in a violent criminal street gang cannot serve as the basis for protected-group status under the INA. (Cantarero v. Holder, 10/31/13)
BIA Finds Criminal Indictment Is Not Clear and Convincing Evidence of Date of Offense
Unpublished BIA decision finds statement in criminal indictment saying offense occurred “on or about” a particular date does not constitute clear and convincing evidence that the offense actually occurred on that date. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Clase, 10/31/13)
AILA Amicus Brief on When an Order of Removal is Final for Purposes of Judicial Review
AILA amicus brief urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to grant rehearing in Abdisalan v. Holder to clarify when a final order of removal exists for purposes of filing a petition for review in cases where the BIA denies one immigration benefit and remands for consideration of another.
BIA Finds Respondent Failed to Appear Due to Alleged Clerical Error
Unpublished BIA decision finds alleged clerical error by immigration court regarding date of hearing constitutes exceptional circumstances justifying failure to appear. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Mendez, 10/30/13)
District Court Awards $20,000 in Attorney’s Fees in FOIA Lawsuit
Settlement agreement reached in district court in a FOIA lawsuit seeking the release of asylum officer notes. The agreement stipulated that DHS pay $20,000 in attorney’s fees. DHS handed over the asylum officer notes prior to settlement. (Hemed v. DHS, 10/30/13)
CA4 Holds LPRs With Serious Offenses Are Treated as “Seeking Admission” When Entering from Abroad
The court denied the petition, holding that the Fleuti doctrine did not survive IIRIRA’s enactment, and that LPRs who commit serious offenses are always treated as “arriving” aliens when entering from abroad and subject to removal under §101(a)(13)(C)(v), 212(a)(2). (Othi v. Holder, 10/29/13)
CA10 Upholds Cancellation of Removal Denial
The court denied the petition for review, finding that since the Petitioner had been granted suspension of deportation during prior deportation proceedings, he was ineligible for cancellation of removal under INA §240A. (Velasco v. Holder 10/29/13)
ICE FAQs on Immigration Detainers
Undated ICE FAQs on immigration detainers.