Immigration Courts
Immigration courts play a crucial role in ensuring that immigration laws are applied fairly and consistently, providing due process to those facing removal. Learn more about issues facing the courts today and explore the actions we're taking to ensure the rights of immigrants are upheld and legal integrity is maintained.
Trump Is Trying to Deter Us From Representing Immigrants in Court. It Won’t Work.
On March 22, the Trump administration issued a memo, directing the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to take disciplinary and punitive action against attorneys practicing in our national courts. While the memo is broad, it takes particular aim at immigration lawyers, pro bono… Read More
Amicus Brief to the Second Circuit Arguing for Individualized Custody Determination After Prolonged Mandatory Detention
The brief argues that an individualized custody determination is necessary when detention becomes prolonged under the mandatory detention provision at 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c). It explains that Section 1226(c) is a broad statute that sweeps in minor criminal offenses and dispositions that do not amount to convictions under state… Read More
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on SF 2340, Iowa’s Anti-Immigrant Law
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, JAN. 25, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit today upheld a temporary block on SF 2340, Iowa’s worst-ever immigration law. The Iowa law was passed during the 2024 Iowa legislative session and was temporarily blocked by the courts just weeks after. It conflicts… Read More
Misguided Laken Riley Act Does Nothing to Fix the Problems That Plague Our Immigration System
WASHINGTON, JAN. 22, 2025 — Today, the House voted in the final step for passing S. 5, legislation that will have devastating implications for many immigrants in the United States and our system of legal immigration alike. The bill eliminates due process for many immigrants, including some… Read More
Seeking Stays of Removal
This practice advisory discusses the law, procedure, and practical tips for seeking a stay of removal from DHS, immigration judges, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the U.S. courts of appeals. Read More
New Report Details Catastrophic Impact of Mass Deportation and Family Separation Plans
A new report details the catastrophic costs of a potential mass deportation and family separation plan. Read More
Supreme Court Allows Deportations Without Adequate Notice, Backtracking on Previous Rulings
The Supreme Court made an about-face on June 14, holding that immigration judges may order noncitizens deported if they do not appear for their immigration hearings even if the government never provided them with a Notice to Appear (NTA) with the date and time of their immigration hearing. Under… Read More
Iowa Blocks Hateful Anti-Immigrant Law
In a victory for immigrant communities and families, on June 17 a federal district court in Iowa issued a preliminary injunction to block SF 2340, one of the worst, most far-reaching immigration laws ever passed in the state of Iowa. Read More
Seeking Records from Immigration Courts about Processing FOIA and Records of Proceedings Requests
The Council seeks records from immigration courts about how they process record requests and comply with proactive disclosure requirements. This information will help advocates ensure that noncitizens in removal proceedings have access to their records and that the courts are complying with record disclosure requirements. Read More
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Judicial Review of Mixed Questions, Even Those That Are Fact Intensive
The Supreme Court issued an important victory for noncitizens seeking cancellation of removal and the principle of judicial review of agency action on March 19. And despite the current court’s tenuous regard for stare decisis – the idea that “today’s Court should stand by yesterday’s decisions” – in Wilkinson… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
