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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Despite Requests from Trump Administration, Many State Departments of Motor Vehicles Have Not Turned Over Driver’s License Records to Census Bureau

Driver’s License Records not Turned Over by State Department
Nov08

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It has often been said that the only governmental authority that has generally blocked the anti-immigration actions of the Trump administration has been the Federal judiciary.  In fact, there is another possible governmental authority that has in certain cases resisted the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration – the states. As an example of such state opposition to the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, despite requests from the Trump administration, many state Departments of Motor Vehicles have not turned over driver’s license records to the Census Bureau. In June,

November 8, 2019
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Justice Department Announces Plan to Collect DNA Samples From Asylum Seekers and Other Detained Migrants

Plan to Collect DNA Samples From Asylum Seekers
Nov06

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. President Trump has many groups of people that he dislikes – House Democrats, “Never Trump” Republicans, and the “mainstream media”.  Besides these groups, in making a list of the persons disfavored by President Trump, asylum seekers and other detained migrants would also need to be included.  In the latest example of the Trump administration taking action against asylum seekers and other detained migrants, on October 21, the Justice Department announced plans to collect DNA samples from asylum seekers and other detained migrants. As summarized in a “proposed rule” to

November 6, 2019
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3 Federal Courts Issue Injunctions Against Trump Administration’s final “Public Charge” Rule

Federal Courts Issue Injunctions Against “Public Charge”
Nov04

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. U.S. immigration policy since Donald Trump became President in January 2017 has generally followed a consistent path – the Trump administration will issue a controversial anti-immigration policy, litigation will be filed against the policy, and no one knows for certain if the policy will take effect until the litigation is resolved.  Such is the case concerning the Trump administration’s final “public charge” rule, announced in August and due to take effect on October 15. However, on October 11, 3 Federal courts issued injunctions against the Trump administration’s final “public charge” rule.

November 4, 2019
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New California Laws Extend Certain Rights For Immigrants

Immigrants Rights Extend in New California Laws
Nov02

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. While most immigration law in the United States is Federal law, the states sometimes will get involved and enact laws on immigration issues.  Especially in the face of the Trump administration generally issuing Federal anti-immigration policies, it is noteworthy today when the states enact laws to expand immigrant rights.  Such is the case with respect to California, as new California laws have extended certain rights for immigrants. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed 3 new laws expanding immigrant rights.  First, Governor Newsom signed a law that allows undocumented

November 2, 2019
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Federal Court in Texas Issues Ruling Against President Trump’s Funding of Border Wall

Texas Issues Ruling Against Trump’s Funding of Border Wall
Nov01

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. When the Federal judiciary has blocked anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, it has most commonly been Federal judges in California (U.S. District Courts in California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in California) that have issued these rulings.  As California is viewed as a “liberal-leaning, Blue state”, such results are not surprising. However, even Federal judges from “conservative-leaning, Red states”, such as Texas, can issue decisions that are adverse to the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration. As one example of such a decision, a Federal

November 1, 2019
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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.
Oct30

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

October 30, 2019
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Federal court Bars ICE From Issuing Certain Detainers Based on Deficient Electronic Databases

Oct28

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

October 28, 2019
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