In a recent panel discussion, several current and former immigration judges expressed concerns over what they perceive as increasing threats to their judicial independence. These panelists highlighted a range of systemic issues, with particular emphasis on the burgeoning backlog of cases compounded by the departure of numerous judges from the bench. This situation has sparked…
In a significant legal development, federal prosecutors have unsealed a superseding indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, along with five former military pilots, over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes operated by the Miami exile group, Brothers to the Rescue. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals over international waters,…
The role of the United States Supreme Court extends beyond being the arbiter of federal legal disputes. Traditionally perceived as the entity that resolves disagreements among lower courts, the Court also shapes significant federal law policy decisions. This dual role has once again come into focus as the Court embarks on deliberating high-profile immigration cases…
In an extraordinary twist reflecting growing tensions between local and federal authorities, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has filed charges against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro. Castro faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime related to an incident in north Minneapolis on January 14, 2026….
In a recent development, a federal judge in New York has imposed significant restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), limiting their authority to conduct arrests at three immigration courthouses in Manhattan. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement practices within judicial precincts. The judge emphasized the need…
In a notable inquiry, US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson faced scrutiny from a federal judge regarding the court’s procedures on its emergency docket. The judge described aspects of these procedures as “mystifying,” reflecting ongoing concerns about transparency and consistency in how emergency decisions are made. Justice Jackson responded by emphasizing her commitment to…
The Constitutional Court of South Africa has made a significant ruling regarding asylum procedures, effectively prohibiting foreigners from submitting repeated asylum applications once their initial request has been denied. This decision came as a result of the case Director of Home Affairs and Others v Irankunda and Niyonkuru, involving two citizens from Burundi. The pair,…
John Quinn, the founder of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has stepped down from his leadership role at the firm. In an email to partners on Mother’s Day morning, Quinn announced his resignation from the executive committee, describing the decision as “logical” and noting that he “didn’t really think about what day of the week…
In a recent legal confrontation, a former immigration judge has petitioned a D.C. federal court to maintain her bias lawsuit concerning her dismissal, in which she asserts that the Department of Justice is advocating a startling notion: that the president has the authority to perform unlawful discrimination. Her case underscores a significant tension between presidential…
President Donald Trump has announced six judicial nominees, a move that includes controversial selections requiring bipartisan support. Among the nominees are judges for both the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, as well as district court candidates who will need cooperation from Democratic senators to advance. This development comes as the administration continues to…
The lead assistant federal prosecutor for Rhode Island’s civil division is currently being scrutinized following allegations of withholding crucial information in an immigration case. This investigation was initiated by the state’s chief federal judge, highlighting possible ethical breaches within the prosecutorial ranks. More information on this development can be found on Law360. This inquiry underscores…
This week’s edition of Law360’s Legal Lions features the National Immigrant Justice Center and the American Civil Liberties Union, which secured a significant victory in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. A divided panel dismissed the argument from the Trump administration that immigrants residing unlawfully in the United States are not entitled to due process…
In an unusual decision highlighting potential issues within the Department of Justice, a federal judge has appointed a special counsel to investigate a DOJ lawyer’s actions in a case concerning migrant families. The case revolves around allegations of the government’s mishandling of separated families at the U.S.-Mexico border. This move by the judiciary underscores the…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil rights investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, focusing on allegations that his office provided preferential treatment to undocumented immigrants in criminal cases. The probe aims to determine whether such practices resulted in discrimination against U.S. citizens. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated,…
In a contentious legal battle, four protesters have initiated a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the collection and permanent storage of DNA samples during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The complaint, filed in an Illinois district court, seeks an injunction to halt…
The Trump administration’s approach to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) case, currently before the Supreme Court, embodies a significant executive power grab over immigration policy—a familiar scenario in U.S. legal history. The administration contends that Congress has authorized the executive branch to control TPS decisions without judicial review, according to the legal fight that is…
Former Wisconsin state judge Hannah C. Dugan remains unable to overturn her obstruction conviction involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, despite a recent ruling by the Fourth Circuit, according to federal prosecutors. The government emphasized that the Fourth Circuit’s decision, though relevant, does not carry binding authority over Dugan’s case. This underscores the intricate…
Recently, the 4th Circuit Court expressed doubt regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) revised policy on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests at places of worship. DHS had previously instructed agents to avoid enforcement at religious sites “to the fullest extent possible.” However, the updated guidance now encourages officers to apply discretion and…
In the complex landscape of the current U.S. Supreme Court, legal analysts often find themselves navigating intricate dynamics among the nine justices. While some observers, like Sarah Isgur in her recent best-selling book, describe this composition as a “3-3-3 court,” Rory Little provides a more nuanced perspective in his latest column. Little argues for a…
A federal judge in Rhode Island has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Bolan, citing a “lack of candor” for failing to disclose a foreign homicide warrant during a detainee’s release hearing. U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose released Bryan Rafael Gomez, a Dominican national, after a habeas corpus petition. Unbeknownst to her,…
The Trump administration executed a series of deportation deals known as third-country transfer agreements, facilitating the transfer of over 17,400 individuals to more than 30 countries. These transfers often occurred in defiance of federal court orders and despite successful habeas corpus petitions by the affected individuals, as highlighted by information from Human Rights First and…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing legal scrutiny after attempting to leverage a 1930s customs law to access data from Google concerning a Canadian citizen. This individual had reportedly criticized the Trump administration’s response to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents earlier this year in Minneapolis, according…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) faces scrutiny over its handling of a pivotal immigration legal aid initiative. A year after announcing plans to transition a program traditionally run by nonprofits into a federal in-house operation, critics lament the apparent neglect of this commitment. Despite initial declarations, there are no visible measures taken to implement the…
A recent courtroom confrontation in Rhode Island has highlighted issues surrounding transparency and disclosure in federal immigration cases. According to details from Law360, a federal judge sharply questioned an assistant U.S. attorney over the nondisclosure of a homicide warrant for a noncitizen detainee. The judge’s inquiry followed allegations by the Department of Homeland Security that…
In a session that has garnered attention from legal professionals across the United States, the highest court in Massachusetts expressed clear unease over the actions of a state district court judge in connection with an incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The justice’s concerns revolve around a 2018 offer from the judge to…