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• DHS policy memo announcing 100 day deportation moratorium and interim enforcement priorities:  
  • This memo announces a 100 day pause on all removals effective starting no later than January 22nd, with the following exceptions: 1) people for whom there is a written finding by ICE director that the…

 

Immigration Toplines:

1. Extend and fortify DACA and Dreamer protection

2. Repeal the Muslim and African bans (Proclamations 9645 and 9983)

3. Extend DED for Liberians and improve processing of Liberian Relief and Fairness Act applications.

4. Moratorium - By revoking the Trump enforcement…

While the past four years have represented an extraordinarily difficult time for refugees and immigrants, the 2020 election signals a new dawn in America for all who stand for welcome.

LIRS is moved by the prospect of an administration that sees immigration as a strength, not a weakness. The Biden-Harris administration is expected to move quickly through executive action on key reversals, such as reinstating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA], resuscitating the asylum process,…

The December 2020 COVID relief package included a second round of Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus payments). The new round of direct payments are worth up to $600 per adult and child. The full amount is available for work authorized individuals with Social Security Numbers (SSNs) who make at or below $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household) or for couples who make at or below $150,000. If you’re above this income level, you will receive less than the full credit. However, if…

The recently passed COVID package includes relief in the form of stimulus checks to more immigrant households than the previous CARES Act package. The CARES Act, which passed in late March of 2020, withheld economic relief from all families who identify a spouse or claim any dependent using an ITIN number, including children and other dependents, such as a parent. The latest round of relief changes that provision and is retroactive, meaning that those who fall under this category who missed out…

Congressional leaders reached a deal on a $900 billion COVID-19 aid package and are preparing to vote on it as this update is being written. Attached is a topline summary from CQ Roll Call. It does not include every single item in the package, but provides a good basic summary. Most noteworthy is the addition of a provision that will allow mixed-status households to receive the next round of COVID stimulus checks and is retroactive to the CARES Act, which previously excluded them. Big win for…

USCIS Fee Rule: What you Need to Know

August 3, 2020, USCIS published a new rule that, in a nutshell, exponentially increases immigration application fees, charges asylum seekers for filing asylum applications (for the first time) and removes most fee waivers and fee exemptions. The new fee increases will not take effect until October 2, 2020.

 Toplines from the USCIS Fee Rule:

• Introduces a non-waivable $50 fee for asylum applications. However, UC’s in removal proceedings are exempt…

In the past week, the 2^nd Circuit has heard two cases and issued two distinct orders regarding the Public Charge rule.  What does it all mean?

One case addresses the implementation of the public charge rule during Covid-19 and on June 29th, a Federal Judge issued a nation-wide injunction, halting DHS from continuing to implement the public charge rule during Covid-19. Although the Supreme Court previously placed a stay on prior nationwide injunctions, that did not foreclose this latest…

Unaccompanied Children and Families in Detention Litigation Update

Whether to release or not release children and families from ORR and ICE custody as a protective measure during the coronavirus pandemic is still a question that courts in California and Washington, D.C. are grappling with and this blog provides an update on the past week’s litigation and next steps.

Lucas R. Azar and Flores v. Barr(C.D. Cal.)

Last Friday, April 10, 2020, Judge Gee had a follow up hearing in Lucas…