Read full CMS policy updates and article compilations here (Jan. 7), here (Jan. 14), and here (Jan. 28), sign up to receive it in your inbox here, or preview some of the policy updates below.
January 7, 2020
“In early December, the US District Court for the Central District of California certified four classes of detained immigrants who allege that the GEO Group, the country’s largest private prison company, forced them to participate in work programs…At least five similar lawsuits are pending against private prisons nationwide…
“On January 2, DHS announced that it will begin processing asylum seekers under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program — commonly known as “Remain in Mexico” — at the Nogales Port of Entry south of Tucson, Arizona…
“On December 27, DHS published a regulatory document in which it agreed to share certain records with the Census Bureau with the goal of producing detailed estimates of the numbers of citizens and non-citizens in the United States…
“Six organizations that provide legal services to immigrants have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration has implemented policies that rush asylum proceedings, leaving asylum seekers with inadequate time to secure representation and to prepare for their hearings.
“Recent media reports indicate that, as early as October, ICE began asking immigration courts nationwide to reopen administratively closed deportation cases against recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who have no criminal records or minimal records…
“On December 20, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020. The act includes a provision that establishes a path to citizenship for Liberian nationals who have been continuously present in the United States since November 20, 2014 under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program…
“The Trump administration has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain nationals of Yemen through September 3, 2021…
“On December 12, Judge Clark Waddoups, a senior district judge at the US District Court in Utah, ordered the US government to extend birthright citizenship to persons born in American Samoa, a US territory…”
January 14, 2020
"Texas is the first state to reject resettlement under a September executive order mandating that refugees only be resettled in states and localities that offer advance written consent…
“On January 8, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a nationwide injunction that blocks that Trump administration from enforcing its “public charge” rule…
“On January 9, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that will permit the Trump administration to move forward with its plan to use $3.6 billion in military construction funds to extend the US-Mexico border fence…
“On January 6, the Trump administration began to implement a pilot program that authorizes US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to collect DNA samples from certain immigrants in US custody…
“As of mid-December, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency lawyers in much of New England are required to justify the detention of non-citizens in bond hearings at immigration courts…”
January 28, 2020
“On January 23, the US Department of State published a new rule aimed at discouraging pregnant women from visiting the United States…
“On January 27, the Supreme Court ruled to lift a lower court’s injunction that had blocked the Trump administration from implementing its new “public charge” rule…The Supreme Court’s ruling allows the Trump administration to enforce the rule while litigation continues…
“On January 15, United States District Judge Peter Messitte of Maryland issued a temporary injunction blocking a September executive order that required states and localities to provide advance written consent before refugees are resettled within their jurisdictions…
“On January 14, US District Judge Dana Sabraw of San Diego issued a pair of rulings strengthening some asylum seekers’ access to counsel in southern California…
“On January 13, Federal Judge Dana Sabraw ruled in favor of the Trump administration in a case challenging the legality of ongoing family separations at the United States-Mexico border…His ruling upholds the discretion of immigration officials in deciding if family separation is necessary…”