Trump Administration Proposes Increases in Certain Immigration Filing Fees

Trump Administration Increases Immigration Filing Fees

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

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

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

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

Ninth Circuit Upholds Funding Sanctuary Cities

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

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

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

President Trump Seeks to Suspend Entry of Immigrants Who will Financially Burden the U.S. Healthcare System

Trump to Suspend Entry of Immigrants who Burden U.S.

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. President Trump has blamed immigrants for many problems in the United States.  Therefore, it probably should come as no surprise that President Trump has now generally associated immigration with one of the key issues in the upcoming Presidential election – healthcare coverage.  President Trump now seeks to suspend the entry of immigrants who will financially burden the United States healthcare system. On October 4, President Trump issued, “Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System” (the “Proclamation”).  The Proclamation

Federal court Bars ICE From Issuing Certain Detainers Based on Deficient Electronic Databases

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. In making arguments about immigration, it is often said (by both pro-immigration and anti-immigration advocates) that the immigration system is broken.  Apparently, this statement may be literally true. A recent case highlights this issue, as a Federal court has barred U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from issuing certain detainers (arrest requests) based on deficient electronic databases. ICE’s “Secure Communities” program is believed to be responsible for 70% of all ICE arrests.  A significant portion of those arrests arises from detainers issued solely on the basis of electronic databases.  In

Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration’s expanded “Expedited Removal” Deportation Policy

Federal Court Blocks “Expedited Removal” Deportation Policy

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While Congress (or at least the House of Representatives) is perhaps now showing some opposition to President Trump on the issue of impeachment, Congress has not been able to block the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration.  Instead, it has been the judicial branch of government, rather than the legislative branch of government, which has been more effective in opposing the Trump administration on the issue of immigration. As another example of the judiciary ruling against an immigration policy of the Trump administration, on September 27, 2019, a Federal court blocked

Trump Administration Resumes “Medical Deferred Action” Program

Trump Resumes “Medical Deferred Action” Program

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Given the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, it has been the rare case when there is positive news coming from the Trump administration on an issue affecting immigrants.  Since Donald Trump became President, it seems that the only good news for immigrants is when a Federal court steps up to block a policy of the Trump administration. There are also very few instances of the Trump administration reversing course and changing its mind about an anti-immigration policy.  However, as an exception to the above, there is a favorable development for

Federal Court Rules Trump Administration Violated Law with Visa Delays for Afghans And Iraqis Covered By SIV Program

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While the general subject of immigrant rights often results in significant political debate, certain groups of immigrants receive special protection under the law.  One such group of immigrants are certain Afghans and Iraqis covered by the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. If you are covered by the SIV program, a law passed in 2013 requires that your visa application must be processed within 9 months.  However, on September 20, a Federal court ruled that the Trump administration violated this law with visa delays for certain Afghans and Iraqis

Supreme Court Grants Stay of Injunction Allowing Trump Administration’s New Asylum Restrictions to Take Effect

Trump Administration’s New Asylum Restrictions Take Effect

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While the Federal judiciary has generally been the principal obstacle to the anti-immigration efforts of the Trump administration, the Supreme Court has sometimes overruled lower Federal courts and upheld the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration.  For example, the Supreme Court has upheld the “Trump travel ban” and allowed the use of Department of Defense funds to build the United States-Mexico border wall. As another example of the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Trump administration on an immigration issue, on September 11, the Supreme Court granted a stay

Request Consultation