According to New Inspector General Report, United States Lacked Technology to Track Separated Families under Trump Administration’s “Zero Tolerance Policy”

Zero Tolerance Policy & Lack of Technology to Track Families by Taher Kameli
Dec30

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It is often said that the United States immigration system is broken.  Unfortunately, there are many different examples, from different perspectives and in different contexts, that can support this statement.  As one example of this statement, according to a new inspector general report, the United States lacked the technology to track separated families under the Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance Policy”. In year 2018, the Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), adopted its “Zero Tolerance Policy” – the prosecution of all adults illegally entering the United States.  Because

December 30, 2019
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Humanitarian Aid Volunteer Scott Warren Found Not Guilty of Harboring Unauthorized Migrants in Arizona

Scott Warren Not Guilty of Harboring Unauthorized Migrants
Dec25

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. One may think that helping those in need is doing a good deed.  However, apparently in the eyes of the Trump administration, when those in need are unauthorized migrants, helping them can constitute a Federal crime. Notwithstanding this apparent perspective of the Trump administration, on November 20, humanitarian aid volunteer Scott Warren was found not guilty of harboring unauthorized migrants in Arizona. Warren, a volunteer for the humanitarian aid group, “No More Deaths”, was arrested on January 17, 2018 by Border Patrol agents.  The Border Patrol agents had been surveilling

December 25, 2019
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New Inspector General Report Raises Concerns with Internal Operations at Department of Homeland Security

DHS Inspector General Report Raises Concerns
Dec20

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The Trump administration is often criticized for its anti-immigration policies.  Apparently, another immigration issue about which the Trump administration can be questioned is how the government agencies that enforce immigration policy internally operate.  Specifically, a new inspector general report raises concerns with the internal operations at the Department of Homeland Security (“ DHS ”). The inspector general report, titled, “Major Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security”, was issued on November 13.  The report states, “Based on our recent and prior audits, inspections, special reviews, and

December 20, 2019
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Oregon Federal Judge Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administration Policy Denying Visas to Immigrants Who Cannot Show Proof of Health Insurance

Oregon Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction
Dec15

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Among the 3 branches of the Federal government during the Trump administration, immigration policy generally has been characterized by inaction by the legislative branch, anti-immigration policies by the executive branch, and opposition to the executive branch by the judicial branch.  As another example of the opposition to the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies by the Federal judiciary, an Oregon federal judge has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Trump administration policy denying visas to immigrants who cannot show proof of health insurance. On October 4, President Trump issued, “Presidential Proclamation

December 15, 2019
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Trump Administration Starts Sending Certain Asylum Seekers to Guatemala

Asylum Seekers Sent to Guatemala by Trump Administration
Dec10

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It often seems that there is no limit to the policies that the Trump administration will propose to limit immigration to the United States.  Not only does the Trump administration implement its anti-immigration policies in the United States, but it also works with other countries to restrict immigration to the United States.  As an example of the Trump administration using other countries to help implement its anti-immigration policies, pursuant to an “Asylum Cooperative Agreement” signed by the United States and Guatemala, on November 19, the Trump administration started sending certain asylum

December 10, 2019
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New Study Ranks Chicago, Illinois as Number One City for Immigrants in the United States

Chicago is Number One City for Immigrants in the U.S.
Dec05

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While the Trump administration has consistently adopted anti-immigration policies, the various states and cities in the United States vary greatly in their views and attitudes toward immigrants.  As a result, it is an important decision for immigrants in determining where to live in the United States and trying to reside in a favorable location for immigrants. To help immigrants in making this decision, a new study has ranked Chicago, Illinois as the number one city for immigrants in the United States. The study, released on November 13, was prepared by

December 5, 2019
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Trump Administration Proposes Increases in Certain Immigration Filing Fees

Trump Administration Increases Immigration Filing Fees
Nov29

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While there is no doubt that President Trump generally supports policies that restrict immigrant rights, how the Trump administration achieves this objective can vary.  In some cases, the Trump administration acts directly, announcing a new policy that expressly restricts immigrant rights. In other cases, the Trump administration acts more indirectly, setting forth a new policy that makes it harder for immigrants to attain their immigrant rights.  As an example of an indirect limitation on immigrant rights, the Trump administration has proposed increases in certain immigration filing fees. As announced on

November 29, 2019
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Federal Judge in Oregon Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Preventing Immigrants Who Cannot Afford Health Care From Obtaining Visas

Immigrants Who Cannot Afford Health Care Can't Obtain Visas
Nov24

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has been a generally consistent pattern in U.S. immigration policy during the Trump administration – the Trump administration issues an anti-immigration policy, litigation is filed to challenge the policy, and a Federal court issues an injunction to stop the policy from being implemented.  As another example of this occurrence of “government by injunction”, a Federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from preventing immigrants who cannot afford health care from obtaining visas.    On October 4, President Trump issued, “Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of

November 24, 2019
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Ninth Circuit Upholds Preliminary Injunction Stopping Trump Administration From Preventing Certain Federal Funding of “Sanctuary Cities”

Ninth Circuit Upholds Funding Sanctuary Cities
Nov20

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. An often overlooked disagreement in current U.S. immigration policy is between the Trump administration and certain so-called “sanctuary cities” – generally cities that have laws, regulations, policies, or other practices that obstruct Federal immigration enforcement.  The Trump administration has sought to restrict certain Federal funding of “sanctuary cities”. However, on October 31, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration from preventing certain Federal funding of “sanctuary cities”. Specifically, in 2017, as a requirement of receiving a Federal police grant (under the Edward

November 20, 2019
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Trump Administration Extends Validity of Work Permits for El Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status Through January 4, 2021

The United States Extends Work Permits for El Salvadorans
Nov10

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has become a regular occurrence for the Trump administration to announce a new restriction on immigrant rights.  Thus, it is noteworthy whenever the Trump administration makes an announcement that even somewhat expands immigrant rights.  Such is the case with the announcement on October 28 that the Trump administration has extended the validity of work permits for El Salvadorans with temporary protected status (so-called “TPS”) through January 4, 2021. As background, TPS allows certain immigrants to remain in the United States and work legally without deportation if during the

November 10, 2019
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