On Monday, the Tribunal of the National Court of Justice of Ecuador handed down a 13-year prison sentence to Jorge Glas, the former vice president, for embezzlement charges. The panel of judges, including Mercedes Caicedo, Marco Rodríguez Ruiz, and Javier de la Cadena, ruled in favor of the charges presented by the State Attorney General’s…
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to examine whether the First Circuit appropriately deferred to the Board of Immigration Appeals’ determination in an asylum case. The core issue involves a Salvadoran family’s claim of persecution, which the Board found insufficient to qualify for asylum relief. The Court’s agreement to review this case raises questions about…
The Supreme Court recently added seven new cases to its docket for the 2025-26 term, spanning topics from campaign-finance regulation to procedural deadlines in court case transfers. The orders list from June 26 outlines these additions, showcasing a diverse array of legal inquiries. Among these cases, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission revisits…
The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could significantly impact asylum seekers and the deference granted to federal immigration authorities. The court will review how lower courts should handle decisions made by federal agencies in refusing asylum claims. This move comes after an appeal from a Salvadoran family was rejected….
Two national immigrants’ rights organizations, CASA Inc. and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), have taken legal action to block an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump that aims to terminate birthright citizenship. On Friday, the groups filed a federal class-action lawsuit following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that restricts lower courts’ authority…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming docket for its final conference of the term is attracting significant attention, with a potential pivot in campaign finance regulation at the forefront. As described by SCOTUSblog, the court has several notable cases relisted for review that could set the stage for influential rulings impacting various facets of law, including…
Amnesty International has urged the Indian government to halt what it describes as unlawful deportations of Rohingya refugees. The call from the rights organization came in response to reports accusing India of forcibly deporting Rohingyas across the border into Bangladesh. Amnesty International’s appeal has further spotlighted the ongoing plight of Rohingya asylum seekers in India….
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recently reported significant challenges arising from a funding shortfall amidst a backdrop of surging global forced displacement. With global displacement figures doubling over the past decade, UNHCR is under increasing pressure to provide support to those affected. The gaps in funding are critical, highlighting…
Libya’s justice sector is facing criticism over its approach to fundamental freedoms, according to a recent report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The organization’s findings, unveiled in the report titled “Injustice By Design: Need for Comprehensive Justice Reform in Libya,” reveal systemic issues within Libya’s justice system, characterized by serious due process violations at…
The Berlin administrative court recently delivered an urgent ruling declaring the German government’s new policy of rejecting asylum seekers at the border to be in violation of European Union law. This decision arose following the case of three Somalian asylum seekers, two men and one woman, who were forcibly returned to Poland. The court cited…
Brown Rudnick has announced the addition of Sarah Gogan to its global litigation and brand and reputation management team in London. As a new partner, Gogan brings a wealth of expertise, particularly in representing high-profile individuals involved in complex legal scenarios such as political persecution, international criminal proceedings, extradition cases, INTERPOL Red Notices, and asset…
In a recent decision, a federal judge has put a halt to the Trump administration’s efforts to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for 5,000 Venezuelans, effectively halting the invalidation of work permits and other related residency documentation. San Francisco U.S. District Judge Edward Chen recognized that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem potentially exceeded her legal…
A recent admonishment from a Maryland federal judge has highlighted the difficulties faced by asylum-seekers under current U.S. policies. The judge criticized the Trump administration for its apparent lack of effort in facilitating the return of a 20-year-old Venezuelan asylum-seeker, who had been sent to a Salvadoran prison. The administration was also reprimanded for failing…
Concerns are mounting as rights advocates voice apprehension over the treatment of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a proposal by the UK government to designate Bosnia as a return hub. A return hub serves as a location where asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected in other countries are returned while awaiting repatriation to…
In a recent judicial decision, U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bring back O.C.G., a Guatemalan asylum seeker, after he was unlawfully deported to Mexico. This action occurred despite a legal protection order preventing his removal to Guatemala, where he faced threats due to his sexual orientation….
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the United States to review the asylum claims of around 200 individuals expelled to Costa Rica in February. The expelled migrants include children, and HRW alleges that their transfer occurred without proper legal procedures. These individuals hail from various Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru,…
In a significant legal move, Lithuania has brought a case against Belarus before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking damages over allegations of Belarus orchestrating large-scale smuggling of migrants into Lithuania. The filing, which took place on Monday, centers on claims that Belarus has violated the UN Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by…
Recent shifts in U.S. policy have posed significant challenges to the protection of migrants and refugees in Costa Rica, as outlined in a joint report released by Refugees International and the Women’s Refugee Commission. The report emphasizes the detrimental effects of these changes, including the elimination of crucial protection routes and the overburdening of Costa…
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon the recently re-elected Australian Labor government to harness its foreign policy strategies to advance international human rights. This request was detailed in a letter addressed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The organization delineates specific measures for Australia to undertake within four principal foreign policy domains. The HRW outlines…
The UK government has unveiled a series of reform policies aimed at tightening immigration rules as part of a broader strategy to address rising migration levels and prevent system abuse. The reforms, articulated in a White Paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”, were presented to parliament recently. These measures emphasize significant changes in…
Amnesty International has raised strong objections to recent Polish legislation that suspends the processing of asylum claims for migrants crossing into Poland from Belarus. This law, according to the organization, may lead to the forced return of asylum seekers, contravening international law. Amnesty contends that the legislation enables border guards to dismiss asylum applications without…
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised the alarm over severe funding shortfalls, which significantly impact the safety and protection of the world’s most vulnerable refugees. These budget constraints have already led to the dismantling of essential protection programs, increasing the risks of abuse and poverty, and exacerbating the dangers…
A coalition of lawyers has initiated legal proceedings against the Costa Rican government, filing a complaint with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. The action is spurred by the alleged prolonged detention of minors deported from the United States back to Costa Rica. This suit, brought by lawyers from organizations such…
In a significant development for Peruvian politics, a court in Lima has sentenced former President Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, to 15 years in prison. They were found guilty of engaging in aggravated money laundering by accepting illicit financial contributions to fund Humala’s presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011. These contributions were allegedly…
In an ongoing development within the European Union’s border policy landscape, the EU border protection agency, Frontex, has initiated investigations into potential human rights violations by Greece concerning undocumented migrants. This move follows substantial international pressure and scrutiny regarding Greece’s handling of immigration and asylum procedures. Frontex, responsible for coordinating border control efforts among EU…