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
CA9 Upholds Denial of Motion for Reconsideration Where Petitioner Failed to Demonstrate Due Diligence for Equitable Tolling
Where petitioner had filed a motion for reconsideration arguing that a recent Supreme Court ruling rendered his conviction no longer a “crime of violence” aggravated felony, the court held that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying equitable tolling. (Goulart v. Garland, 11/18/21)
CA9 Declines to Rehear Soto-Soto v. Garland En Banc
The court issued an order denying the rehearing en banc of Soto-Soto v. Garland, in which the court held that the BIA erred by reviewing the IJ’s decision de novo rather than for clear error. (Soto-Soto v. Garland, 11/18/21)
ICE Provides Online Scheduling Tool for Noncitizen Check-In Appointments
ICE introduced a web-based, smartphone-compatible scheduler for noncitizens to create or change check-in appointments using information from an I-385 form. It can be used instead of making appointments in person or by phone. Now available in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and English.
CA11 Remands Asylum Claim of Sri Lankan Petitioner Who Feared Future Persecution as a Tamil Failed Asylum Seeker
The court held that the BIA failed to give reasoned consideration to the Sri Lankan petitioner’s claim that, as a Tamil failed asylum seeker, he had a well-founded fear of future persecution, and thus remanded his asylum and withholding of removal claims. (Jathursan v. Att’y Gen., 11/17/21)
CA1 Says IJ and BIA Erred in Finding That Petitioner’s Prior Conviction Rendered Him Ineligible for Withholding of Removal
The court held that the IJ erred in informing the pro se petitioner he was eligible for potential relief only under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and in treating his conviction for drug trafficking as if it were a per se bar to withholding of removal. (DeCarvalho v. Garland, 11/17/21)
CA5 Upholds BIA’s Conclusion That Indian Petitioner’s Second Motion to Reopen Was Time and Number Barred
The court held that the BIA did not err in finding that the petitioner’s second motion to reopen for lack of notice was time and number barred under 8 CFR §1003.2(c)(2), because the petitioner had failed to inform the immigration court of his change in address. (Maradia v. Garland, 11/17/21)
AILA and Partners Urge Congress to Provide Funding for Appointed Counsel for Individuals Facing Removal
AILA and the American Immigration Council led a sign-on letter urging Congress to provide robust funding for appointed counsel for indigent individuals facing removal. 118 bar associations and organizations specializing in providing legal representation to immigrants signed onto the letter.
BIA Invites Amicus Briefs on Hernandez v. Whitaker and CIMTs
The BIA invites amicus briefs to consider if a conviction under section 750.81a(1) of the Michigan Compiled Laws is a crime involving moral turpitude. Amicus briefs are due by 12/8/21.
TRAC Finds Immigration Court Backlog Nears 1.5 Million Cases
TRAC finds that the immigration court backlog nears 1.5 million cases. Immigration judges completed 21,154 cases in October, less than half of the total new cases coming into the courts, which means the total backlog continues to grow each month.
EOIR Announces Fully Virtual eRegistration Process for ECAS
EOIR announced that eRegistration for ECAS will be fully virtual. Starting November 15, two-phase eRegistration is required to validate a registrant’s identity, but practitioners no longer have to appear in-person to show photo ID. The memo lists registration times and contact information.
CA9 Rejects Challenge to Reinstatement Order Where Underlying Removal Order Was Legally Valid at Time of Entry and Execution
Dismissing the petition for review of an order reinstating petitioner’s removal order, the court held that the petitioner had failed to establish a gross miscarriage of justice that would permit it to entertain a collateral attack on the underlying order. (Lopez Vazquez v. Garland, 11/12/21)
DHS Provides Samples of "Operation Horizon" NTAs
DHS provided information on “Operation Horizon,” which is designed to place 78,000 individuals into removal proceedings, who originally only received Notices to Report (NTRs). NTAs are being mailed to addresses provided by immigrants at the time of entry.
BIA Invites Amicus on Whether Aggravated Felonies are Particularly Serious Crimes
The BIA invited amicus briefs on whether all aggravated felonies under INA §101(a)(43), per se come within the ambit of a particularly serious crime, such that it is unnecessary to examine the elements of the relevant aggravated felony offense. Briefs are due by 11/30/21.
CA9 Says There Is No Colorable Constitutional Claim Exception to Statutory Limits on Judicial Review of Expedited Removal Orders
The court found it lacked jurisdiction to review petitioner’s challenge to his expedited removal proceedings, concluding that a recent Supreme Court decision abrogated any colorable constitutional claim exception to INA §242(a)(2)(A). (Guerrier v. Garland, 8/16/21, amended 11/9/21)
CA5 Holds That BIA Erred by Treating Petitioner’s Adverse Credibility Determination as Dispositive of His CAT Claim
The court found that the BIA erred by refusing to consider the Sri Lankan petitioner’s country-conditions evidence in its likelihood-of-torture assessment with regard to his Convention Against Torture (CAT) claim, as required by 8 CFR §1208.16(c)(3). (Arulnanthy v. Garland, 11/8/21)
EOIR Provides Updated Guidance on its Response to COVID-19
EOIR released guidance stating that its website will be the primary method of communication with the public regarding updates to EOIR’s protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic and will no longer issue these formal documents. Guidance is effective 11/8/21.
ICE Releases Health Service Corps Annual Report for FY2020
ICE released their first Health Service Corps FY2020 annual report on the health care of those in ICE custody. The report highlights the facilities where IHSC staff operate, IHSC COVID-19 guidance, IHSC budget, vacancies in staffing, IHSC leadership, costs by diagnosis, and more.
AILA and Partners Call on ICE to Ensure Due Process in Operation Horizon
AILA, the American Immigration Council, and partner organizations sent a letter to ICE regarding "Operation Horizon"— its plan to mail Notices to Appear (NTA) to individuals released from the border.
EOIR Rescinds and Cancels PM 21-08 and Provides Guidelines for Pro Bono Legal Services
EOIR rescinded PM 21-08, stating that pro bono legal services should be facilitated as much as practicable in court. The memo states that courts should create pro bono committees and that Immigration Judges are encouraged to be flexible, especially in scheduling, with pro bono representatives.
CA4 Holds That Conviction in Virginia for Felony Eluding Is a CIMT
The court concluded that the definition of crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) does not violate the U.S. Constitution, and that Virginia’s felony eluding statute, Va. Code §46.2-817(B), constitutes a CIMT. (Canales Granados v. Garland, 11/4/21)
BIA Remands for Further Consideration of Eligibility for Voluntary Departure After Deficient NTA
The BIA remanded for evaluation of whether respondent statutorily eligible for voluntary departure after finding that a deficient NTA does not preclude the respondent from establishing the requisite period of continuous physical presence. Matter of M-F-O-, 28 I&N Dec. 408 (BIA 2021)
CRS Releases Report on Legality of DACA and Recent Litigation Developments
CRS released a report on the status of DACA, especially as it relates to Texas II. The report states that Congress has full authority over the future of DACA, either through termination, by giving DHS power to implement DACA, or by statutory relief to DACA recipients.
DHS Releases Privacy Impact Assessment for ICE Pilot on Use of Body Worn Cameras
DHS published a Privacy Impact Assessment to evaluate the privacy risks of Body Worn Camera technology, and to address issues related to information collection from camera usage. The Body Worn Camera Pilot was mandated by Congress and is intended to improve policing practices.
CA9 Says Stop-Time Rule Is Not Triggered by Final Order of Removal
The court held that the stop-time rule—which sets out the circumstances under which a period of continuous physical presence is deemed to end for cancellation of removal—is not triggered by a final order of removal. (Quebrado Cantor v. Garland, 11/3/21)
CA1 Says It Lacks Jurisdiction over Petitioner’s PSG Claim Because He Failed to Exhaust Administrative Remedies
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to consider the petitioner’s claim that the BIA erred by rejecting his proposed particular social group (PSG) of “Brazilian landowners,” finding that the petitioner had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. (Gomes v. Garland, 11/3/21)