Supreme Court At Least Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration from Adding Citizenship Question To The 2020 Census

Supreme Court Blocks Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. On any number of issues affecting immigrants, the Federal judiciary has blocked anti-immigration efforts by the Trump administration.  Generally, these actions by Federal judges have come at the District Court and Court of Appeals levels. However, on June 27, the Supreme Court also acted against an anti-immigration policy of the Trump administration, at least temporarily blocking it from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The case (Department of Commerce v. New York, Docket No. 18-966) arose from the decision in March, 2018 by

Federal Judge Blocks ICE from Making Courthouse Arrests of Undocumented Immigrants In Massachusetts

Judge Blocks ICE from Making Courthouse Arrests of immigrant

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Given the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, it would not be wrong to characterize Federal judges as the “BFF” of immigrants in the United States.  On numerous immigration issues, the decisions of Federal judges have been critical to safeguard the rights of immigrants and restrict the actions of the Trump administration.  Another example of a Federal judge protecting the rights of immigrants occurred on June 20, with the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to block U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) from making courthouse arrests of

Illinois Becomes First State to Ban Private Immigration Detention Centers

Illinois to Ban Private Immigration Detention Centers

Written by: Taher Kameli It has been said that in the face of Congress’ general inability to reach an agreement on immigration issues, and President Trump’s anti-immigration policies, only the judicial branch of government appears to be available to protect immigrant rights. However, such a statement ignores another part of our overall government system – the states. That the states can support immigrant rights was evidenced on June 21 when Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill under which Illinois became the first state to ban private immigration detention centers. The bill, HB 2040 (the “Private Detention

President Trump Threatens to Deport “Millions of Illegal Aliens”

Trump Threatens to Deport "Millions of Illegal Aliens"

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. President Trump is very good at talking tough on immigration issues.  However, his ability to actually implement anti-immigration policies has often been impeded by judicial opposition, practical limitations, and poor timing.  Such practical limitations and poor timing again may be obstacles with respect to the “tweet” by President Trump on June 17 that threatens to deport “millions of illegal aliens”. President Trump specifically “tweeted”, “Next week ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way

USCIS Announces Publication of New Rule That Significantly Revises Eb-5 Program

Eb-5 Program Revised Significantly from USCIS New Rule

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Under the EB-5 program, immigrants who invest $500,000 in a project located in a “targeted employment area” (generally rural areas and areas with high levels of unemployment) (“TEA”) that creates 10 full-time jobs generally can qualify to receive a green card, and permanent lawful resident status, in the United States.  As the EB-5 program has been popular, the announcement in January, 2017 that new regulations would be issued concerning the EB-5 program drew significant attention.  After well over 2 years, the wait for these new regulations is finally over.  On July 23, U.S. Citizenship

Trump Administration Cuts Services For Migrant Children In Us Shelters

Trump Cuts Services For Migrant Children In shelters

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  Would it surprise you that the Trump administration has once again acted to restrict the rights of immigrants?  Probably not. Would it surprise you that in this instance the rights are those of immigrant children and that the action by the Trump administration has been described as illegal?  Again, unfortunately, probably not, as there appears to be no limit to the reach of the policies of the Trump administration against immigrants. The above comments relate to the decision of the Trump administration to cut educational, recreational, and

Trump Administration Intends to End Use Of In-Person Interpreters At Certain Immigration Hearings

End-Use Of In-Person Interpreters At Immigration Hearings

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  At one time, the famous words associated with the Statue of Liberty – “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” – truly exemplified the attitude of the US government toward immigration.  However, under the Trump administration, these words would appear to describe the immigration policies of another country, as the Trump administration takes action on a regular basis to restrict the rights of immigrants. This point was evidenced again by the news that the Trump administration intends to end the use

U.S. Visas Now Require Social Media Information from Applicants

U.S.Visas Require Social Media Information From Applicant

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  It is good advice to be careful with what you post on your social media accounts because you do not want to be later embarrassed about it.  In the past, this advice has often been given to job applicants. Apparently, this advice should also now be given to foreigners seeking U.S. visas.  Effective May 31, 2019, US visa applications will now require social media information from applicants. This new rule, outlined by the U.S. State Department in March 2018, requires visa applicants to disclose their

Third Circuit Rules Driving Under Influence of Marijuana in Violation Of Pennsylvania Law Is Removable Offense

DUI of Marijuana in Pennsylvania Is a Removable Offense

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  In the face of Congress’ general inability to reach consensus and enact immigration legislation, and President Trump’s anti-immigration policies, immigrants have turned to the judiciary, in particular, the Federal courts, to protect immigrant rights.  However, the Federal courts cannot be viewed as a guaranteed safeguard for immigrant rights in each case. This point was made clear in the May 28 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in the case of Sambare v. Attorney General of the United States,

Federal Judge Rules Trump Cannot Use Certain Department of Defense Funds to Build Border Wall

Department of Defense Funds Cannot Used to Build Border Wall

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. One of the common occurrences concerning President Trump’s immigration plan has been a declaration by a Federal judge that a specific immigration policy of President Trump is unlawful.  One of the key components of President Trump’s immigration plan is his intent to construct a wall on the United States-Mexico border. However, again, on May 24, a Federal judge declared that a specific immigration policy of President Trump is unlawful – this time blocking the use of certain Department of Defense funds to build the United States-Mexico border wall.

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