Each day the United States detains tens of thousands of people in detention facilities and local jails throughout the country. More than 400,000 are detained (including border apprehensions) on average each year. People are detained in the border area in facilities run by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as in privately-owned and operated facilities throughout the country that are contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE also contracts local jails throughout the country to hold detainees held during removal proceedings.
Read moreNY Times: “In Blow to Tech Industry, Trump Shelves Start-Up Immigrant Rule”
The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would delay, and likely eliminate, a federal rule announced by former President Obama that would have let foreign entrepreneurs come to the United States to start companies. The decision, which will be officially published by the federal government today, was quickly criticized by key business and technology leaders. “Today’s announcement is extremely disappointing and represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the critical role immigrant entrepreneurs play in growing the next generation of American companies,” Bobby Franklin, the president and chief executive of the National Venture Capital Association, a trade association for start-up investors, says in a statement. He notes that while other countries are doing whatever they can to attract entrepreneurs, “the Trump administration is signaling its intent to do the exact opposite.”
Read moreAll Different
Federer and Fireworks!
While my fellow Americans were setting off fireworks and celebrating the Fourth of July with friends and loved ones (Happy Birthday, America!), I was cheering on Roger at Wimbledon. The seven-time Wimbledon champion won his first-round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov, with Dolgopolov retiring during the second set due to an ankle injury. Although this match wasn’t as exciting as I would have hoped, the win marks Roger’s record-breaking 85th single men’s victory at Wimbledon! He also became the third player ever to hit 10,000 aces. I briefly thought about setting off some fireworks at Centre Court to celebrate but wisely decided against it!
A More Inclusive America
State Department Issues Guidelines for Revised Travel Ban
The State Department issued guidelines for the revised travel ban after the Supreme Court partially lifted orders blocking the revised ban earlier this week. The State Department announced that the partial ban would go into effect worldwide beginning at 8pm (EDT) on June 29, 2017. The travel ban affects nationals of six countries—Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen—but does not apply to any applicant who has a credible claim of a “bona fide relationship” with a person or entity in the US.
Read moreCarolyn's Escape!
This year’s annual American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) conference took place in the beautiful city of New Orleans, and our very own Carolyn was incredibly excited to attend! The AILA conference offers the opportunity to meet colleagues and experts in the field of immigration law, as well as learn and discuss new changes and legal interpretations through extensive sessions and panels. Amid all the serious talks, Carolyn escaped for a bit to the beautiful oak trees in Audubon Park. This incredible park, largely designed by renowned landscape architect John Charles Olmsted, consists of pathways, lagoons, tennis courts, stables, and plenty of greenery to sit and relax next to the Mississippi River over a picnic. It even has a zoo! Don’t get lost, Carolyn! We need you back in NYC with all your new knowledge!
Immigration and Beignets: Highlights of the AILA Annual Conference June 2017
Last week, I attended my very first American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) annual conference. Lucky for me, it was in New Orleans, a city I have long wanted to visit. Protima and I had a great time touring the city, eating delicious food, and, oh yes, learning about immigration law! Being an AILA conference beginner, there was a lot to take in—four full days of panels was both exciting and exhausting. Here are some highlights of the experience.
Read moreCNN: “ Supreme Court narrows grounds for revoking citizenship of naturalized citizens”
The Supreme Court last week issued a ruling narrowing the grounds on which naturalized citizens can have their citizenship revoked. The case involved Divna Maslenjak, an ethnic Serb who arrived in the US in 2000 as a refugee and was granted citizenship and later naturalized; however, in 2013, a jury found her guilty of making false statements on her naturalization application. She was subsequently stripped of citizenship.
Read moreNBC News: “Trump Administration: Dreamers Can Stay, Undocumented Parents Must Go”
On the anniversary of the implementation of the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects approximately 800,000 immigrants (also called “dreamers”) who came to the US as children with no legal status by shielding them from deportation and providing them with work authorization for periods of two years, the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally eliminated a similar program proposed to protect the undocumented parents of these dreamers.
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