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.
Council and Partners Comment on Changes to Streamlined Asylum Removal Proceedings
The Council, AILA, and the Immigration Justice Campaign commented on the proposed creation of “Dedicated Docket” in immigration court to complete the claims of asylum-seeking families within 300 days. Read More
Seeking Information About Board of Immigration Appeals’ Treatment of Motions to Reconsider
This Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was filed to learn more about trends in the Board of Immigration Appeal’s treatment of motions to reconsider orders of removal. Read More
New Illinois Law Allows Public Defenders to Represent Immigrants Facing Deportation
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law in August that would allow the Cook County Public Defender to represent immigrants in the Chicago immigration court. The law is part of a movement to expand access to legal representation for people facing deportation. It comes on the heels of… Read More
Coalition Letter Expresses Concerns About the Housing of Support Services Within ICE
The Council responded to ICE's Request for Information for a National Case Management Program, expressing concern that ICE's management of the program would be a conflict of interest. Read More
Attorney General Garland Brings Back Administrative Closure for Immigration Judges
Attorney General Merrick Garland vacated Matter of Castro-Tum on July 15, reviving a key tool to help judges prioritize cases in the overburdened immigration court system and allow people facing deportation to pursue all available paths to legal status. In Matter of Cruz-Valdez, the attorney general reversed a decision… Read More
AG Garland Restores Judges’ Discretion to Manage an Overburdened Docket
Attorney General Merrick Garland today restored immigration judges’ ability to administratively close deportation cases. Read More
Strategies and Considerations in the Wake of Niz-Chavez v. Garland
This practice advisory by the Council and partners provides an overview of the Niz-Chavez v. Garland decision and its impact on eligibility for cancellation of removal; eligibility for post-conclusion voluntary departure and broader applications of the decision. Read More
DHS Issues New Guidance for Government Attorneys in Immigration Court Proceedings
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) issued a new memorandum on May 27 that provides guidance on how its attorneys can and should exercise prosecutorial discretion. In the memo, which was made public on Friday, the lead government attorney for the Department… Read More
Coalition Letter Expresses Concerns About Proposed Expedited Asylum Process
The Council expressed concerns about the Biden administration's plans for a new type of expedited asylum proceedings. Read More
Coalition Letter Urges Biden Administration to End Migrant Protection Protocols
The Council urged the Biden administration to improve MPP wind down processing and toy move ahead with a second phase to include all individuals subjected to MPP. Read More
