Immigrant Surveillance – The DHS’ Proposal to Expand Biometric Collection to Limit Immigration

Limit Immigration DHS Propose to Expand Biometric Collection
Oct05

Written by Taher Kameli & Chathan Vemuri Mass surveillance and crackdown on immigration are not new phenomena in the United States and both have metastasized considerably over the last two decades in the wake of the war on terror and the broader debate over immigration to the US. Issues involving National Security Agency (NSA) spying of private telecommunications, use of older social media to place suspicion individuals and disproportionate targeting of certain minority groups have been hot button topics due in part to revelations by whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Glenn Greenwald. Immigration in particular

October 5, 2020
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2 Federal Courts Issue Decisions to Block Use of Pentagon Funds for President Trump’s Border Wall

BLOCK-PENTAGON-FUNDS-FOR-BORDER-WALl by Taher Kameli
Jan10

Written by: Taher Kameli While President Trump has announced many anti-immigration policies as President, probably his most well-known anti-immigration policy is to construct a wall at the United States southern border.  Yet, despite President Trump’s frequent calls for a border wall, various Federal courts have opposed certain actions by the Trump administration designed to help build the border wall. As further evidence of the statement in the preceding sentence, 2 Federal courts have recently issued decisions to block the use of Pentagon funds for President Trump’s border wall. On December 10, in the case of

January 10, 2020
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Ninth Circuit Supports Lifting Injunctions Against Trump Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule

Anti-immigration Policies Enforced by Trump Administration
Jan04

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. In many cases, the only obstacle to the various efforts by the Trump administration to enforce anti-immigration policies has been the Federal judiciary.  However, Federal courts certainly have not ruled in favor of immigrant rights in each case. As an example of a recent Federal court decision in favor of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies, the Ninth Circuit supports lifting injunctions against the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule. Announced in August and due to take effect on October 15, the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule would amend U.S. Department of

January 4, 2020
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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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