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
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
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. In the face of continuing anti-immigration policies from the Trump administration, it has been the judicial branch of the Federal government (the courts) that immigrants have often relied upon to protect immigrant rights. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in particular, has issued various decisions in defense of immigrant rights. However, even the Ninth Circuit is not a guarantor of a “pro-immigration” decision, as evidenced by its May 7 opinion upholding President Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols program (known as the “Remain in Mexico” program). Based