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 Discusses “Particularly Serious Crimes”
The BIA held that to be considered a particularly serious crime under the INA, an offense need not be an aggravated felony. Matter of N-A-M-, 24 I&N Dec. 336 (BIA 2007)
CA7 Finds IJ Gave Full Opportunity to Seek Asylum; Rejects Equal Pro. Claim
The court held that Petitioner was given the opportunity to apply for asylum. It also held it lacked jurisdiction to review whether NSEERS violated equal protection. (Hussain v. Keisler, 10/24/07)
CA11 Finds Motion to Reconsider a MTR Denial Not Subject to Numerical Bar
The court found that the plain language of §1003.2(b)(2) does not prohibit the filing of a second motion to reconsider if it is for a different BIA decision. It also held that the facts in this case did not merit a remand to the agency. (Calle v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 10/23/07)
CA5 Holds IJ Has Jurisdiction Over Portability Determinations Under INA §204(j)
The court held that immigration judges have jurisdiction to determine whether an approved employment-based visa qualifies for portability under INA §204(j). (Sung v. Keisler, 10/22/07)
CA3 on Presumption of Receipt for Hearing Notices Sent by Regular Mail
The court held that for purposes of rescinding an in absentia order, a strong presumption of receipt of the hearing notice applies when the notice is sent by certified mail and a weaker presumption applies when it is sent by regular mail. (Gonzalez v. Att’y Gen. of the U.S., 10/22/07)
CA9 Finds Bangladeshi Bihari Eligible for Asylum and Disfavored Group Member
The court held that the cumulative effect of the harms that Petitioner suffered as a Bihari was so severe that no reasonable fact-finder could conclude that it did not rise to the level of persecution. (Ahmed v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
CA6 Upholds Discretionary Denial of Asylum Due to 3 DUI Convictions
The court held that the IJ may consider an asylum applicant’s convictions for an offense like DUI, regardless of whether it is a crime of moral turpitude or a particularly serious crime. (Kouljinski v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
CA1 Rejects “Disfavored Group” Doctrine in Indonesian Asylum Case
The court rejected the “disfavored group” doctrine, noting that the regulations do not require the agency to automatically credit group discrimination to an individual, and that Congress had not delegated authority to the courts to do so. (Kho v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
GAO Recommends Guidance for ICE Exercise of Discretion
This GAO report recommends that ICE update exercise of discretion guidance to include factors officers should consider when making apprehension and removal decisions and ensure that officers are provided timely information on legal developments affecting discretionary decisions.
ICE / DRO Memo on Strip Search Policy for DHS Detainees
A 10/15/07 memo from ICE DRO Director, John P. Torres, revising the National Detention Standards regarding detainee strip searches.
BIA Finds No Conflict Between Law and Regulation Relating to Extreme Hardship Waiver
The BIA held that there is no conflict between the INA and the regulation where both provide the same start date in determining a conditional permanent resident’s application for an extreme hardship waiver and only the statute provides an end date. Matter of Singh, 24 I&N Dec. 331 (BIA 2007)
CA1 Rejects Salvadoran Gang-Based Asylum Claim
The court upheld the denial of asylum, finding that the IJ and BIA’s conclusion that the Salvadoran government was willing and able to confront Petitioner’s potential persecutor was supported by substantial evidence. (Ortiz-Araniba v. Keisler, 10/11/07)
CA9 Holds CA Theft of a Vehicle is Not Categorically an Aggravated Felony
The court held that a conviction under Cal. Vehicle Code §10851(a) for theft of a vehicle is not categorically an aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(G) because it applies not only to principles and accomplices, but also to accessories after the fact. (United States v. Vidal, 10/10/07)
CA2 Upholds IJ’s Refusal to Grant Continuance Pending Adjudication of Labor Certification
The court held that the immigration judge did not abuse his discretion in declining to grant multiple continuances in order to permit adjudication of Petitioner’s pending application for labor certification. (Elbahja v. Keisler, 10/10/07)
CA9 Finds CA Statutory Rape Statute Does Not Categorically Involve Moral Turpitude
The court held that Cal. Penal Code §261.5(d), which prohibits engaging in intercourse with a minor under the age of 16 where the perpetrator is 21 years of age or older, is not categorically a crime involving moral turpitude. (Quintero-Salazar v. Keisler, 10/9/07)
BIA on Timeliness of MTR and Discrepancies in Stokes Interview
In an unpublished opinion, the BIA held that the thirty-day deadline for motions to reopen USCIS decisions begins on the postmark date and that discrepancies in a Stokes interview are not fatal where there are good solid reasons rebutting the discrepancies. Courtesy of Alan Lee.
CA7 Rejects Pakistani Asylum Claim Based on 1-Year Deadline & Lack of Nexus
The court upheld the IJ findinsg that Petitioner failed to show extraordinary circumstances to excuse his delay in filing for asylum and that that his fear of persecution was on account of a protected ground. (Tariq v. Keisler, 10/9/07)
CA3 Finds Jurisdiction Over Legal and Constitutional Challenges to Reinstatement Orders
The court held that INA §242(a)(2)(D) permits jurisdiction to review constitutional claims and questions of law as they apply to final orders that have been reinstated under INA §241(a)(5). (Debeato v. Att’y Gen. of the U.S., 10/9/07)
ICE Arrests More Than 1,300 in L.A. Area Sweep
On October 3, 2007, ICE announced that more than 1,300 foreign nationals were arrested during a two-week operation in the Los Angeles area. Press statement also highlights the Fugitive Operation Support Center.
Respect Rights and the Rule of Law, Stop Indiscriminate Raids!
AILA calls on the government to respect the rule of law and individuals' rights in its immigration "enforcement" actions.
Immigration Law Advisor, September 2007 (Vol. 1, No. 9)
Immigration Law Advisor with an article on issues arising in coercive population control asylum claims, federal court activity for August 2007, an article on recent developments on the issue of notice and delivery, update on recent BIA precedent decisions, and a regulatory update.
USCIS Memo DRO/OI Protocols and Handling Unaccompanied Alien Children
On 8/20/07, the Office of Investigations (OI) and Office of Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) jointly issued protocols providing national guidance regarding various issues. Please read the full memorandum for all information.
ICE Detainee Handbook
This handbook provides resources for detainees including information on detainee rights and responsibilities, medical care, attorney visits, know your rights presentations and other topics.
Fact Sheet on Findings Concerning Forms I-867 and I-870
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom fact sheet on findings concerning Forms I-867 and I-870 from a congressionally-mandated study on asylum seekers in expedited removal.
BIA Rules IJ May Look Outside Record of Conviction For Loss Determination
The BIA held that a single ground for removal may require proof of conviction tied to the statutory elements of a criminal offense, as well as proof of an additional fact or facts that are not tied to the statutory elements of any such offense. Matter of Babaisakov, 24 I&N Dec. 306 (BIA 2007)