A US federal judge has extended a block preventing federally-deployed National Guard troops from entering Portland, marking a significant step in an ongoing legal battle. This extension is set to remain until October 29, at which point a three-day bench trial will assess whether a longer block is required. The decision comes amid anticipation of…
UN human rights experts have expressed serious concerns regarding Germany’s handling of pro-Palestine demonstrations, describing the response as increasingly restrictive. Despite predominantly peaceful intentions, Germany’s approach has involved “criminalising, punishing, and suppressing legitimate Palestinian solidarity activism,” according to four Special Rapporteurs and two independent legal experts. They highlighted that protestor demands focus on critical issues…
In a significant legal development, a federal judge in California has curtailed the ability of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct courthouse arrests without prior notice and a hearing. The ruling was issued on Thursday, protecting two asylum-seeking mothers from being detained arbitrarily, a decision seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing…
Thompson Hine, a law firm with a reputation for navigating complex legal landscapes, announced a significant addition to its labor and employment practice by welcoming David Leopold as a partner. Known for his expertise in immigration law, Leopold’s move to Thompson Hine is seen as a strategic effort to enhance the firm’s capabilities in addressing…
Cook County Circuit Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has issued an order prohibiting warrantless civil arrests of individuals attending court proceedings within Chicago-area state courthouses. This directive, effective immediately as of October 15, 2025, aims to ensure that litigants and witnesses can participate in the judicial process without fear of unrelated civil arrest during their…
The Canadian government’s introduction of Bill C-12 has been met with strong opposition from a coalition of civil liberties, human rights, and refugee advocacy groups. These organizations argue that the new bill not only fails to address issues identified in the earlier Bill C-2 but also exacerbates them. The coalition, spearheaded by Amnesty International, calls…
Sher Tremonte LLP has announced the addition of Deirdre von Dornum, a seasoned attorney from the Federal Defenders of New York, to its team. Von Dornum, who has dedicated over two decades to public defense, is recognized for her vigorous advocacy and commitment to justice. During her tenure at the Federal Defenders, von Dornum served…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently addressed the controversy surrounding the seizure of a prominent Massachusetts immigration attorney’s mobile phone. The attorney, known for his outspoken critiques of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, alleged that this action was a retaliatory measure aimed at silencing him. However, DHS contends that the seizure is…
In a significant judicial rebuke, US District Judge William E. Smith of the District of Rhode Island delivered a ruling that the Trump administration had contravened a court directive concerning Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants. This decision came after Judge Smith previously ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strip specific conditions attached…
The call to reform the H-1B visa program, particularly the “hiring tax” associated with it, is gaining traction among businesses and advocates pushing for more significant protections for visa holders. Currently, the process of hiring H-1B workers involves costs and administrative burdens that some argue effectively function as a tax, making it less appealing for…
In a critical examination of judicial boundaries and procedural gateways, the D.C. Circuit panel recently scrutinized the standing of several nonprofits contesting the Department of Justice’s decision to cut funding for immigration court assistance. The core of the panel’s skepticism revolved around whether these nonprofits could maintain standing in this case while avoiding a jurisdictional…
In a detailed discussion on the Supreme Court Brief podcast, Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of Berkeley Law School, delves into the pivotal issues that the Supreme Court is set to confront during its October 2025 term. Central to this term is the examination of presidential powers, which could significantly impact the balance of authority between…
In response to an uptick in federal immigration arrests at courthouses, civil rights lawyers are calling on the Massachusetts trial court system to take decisive action to safeguard immigrants’ access to justice. Lawyers representing the Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) have expressed concern over what they describe as a pattern of aggressive enforcement tactics…
A federal judge in Massachusetts has expressed concern over the U.S. government’s retention of data extracted from an immigration attorney’s cellphone, highlighting potential risks to client confidentiality and the possibility of using the information to identify and arrest immigrants. On September 28, 2025, federal agents seized the cellphone of attorney Andrew G. Lattarulo at Boston…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is under legal scrutiny as it faces a lawsuit concerning the access to legal counsel for detained immigrants. This legal development underscores crucial issues surrounding the rights of immigrants held in detention facilities across the country. The federal court’s decision to allow the lawsuit to proceed reflects ongoing…
The U.S. Supreme Court inaugurated its 2025-26 term with a lighter moment as Justice Elena Kagan elicited laughter with a reference to page numbers during an exchange with attorney Stuart Banner. The dialogue centered on differentiating aspects of trial strategy and testimony that lawyers can discuss with their clients during a recess. Justice Kagan humorously…
In a significant legal development, eleven individuals deported from the United States to Ghana last month have initiated a lawsuit against the Ghanaian government. They claim they were unlawfully detained in a military facility upon arrival. This legal case emerges amid a complex wave of deportations that have reportedly dispersed individuals across neighboring African states,…
The state of Illinois, along with the city of Chicago, has filed a legal complaint against the Trump administration in response to the deployment of National Guard troops. The lawsuit seeks to prevent this federal action, depicting it as part of a systemic, unauthorized “war” on the state’s autonomy and safety. In the complaint, Illinois…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has upheld a preliminary injunction against a controversial executive order issued during Donald Trump’s presidency that sought to end birthright citizenship. This decision aligns with a similar ruling by the Ninth Circuit, maintaining the legal block on the order’s enforcement. Both appellate courts have resisted the…
The legal conference calendar has become saturated, with events occurring almost every week. Yet, an interesting development is unfolding in this crowded landscape: smaller, more focused conferences are proving to be highly valuable, specifically for targeted audiences. This was clearly demonstrated at the Client Experience Summit, hosted by Case Status in Charleston, South Carolina, from…
In a significant development, the False Claims Act (FCA) has been broadened to include immigration-related violations in federal contracts. This expansion allows federal authorities to address fraudulent claims linked to immigration compliance, adding a new dimension to the act’s enforcement capabilities. The recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit centers…
United States immigration authorities are gearing up to significantly expand their social media surveillance capabilities. A strategic move, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has outlined plans to enlist nearly 30 contractors tasked with monitoring posts, photos, and messages. This raw data aims to evolve into actionable intelligence that could lead to deportation raids and arrests….
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to address a series of contentious cases in its upcoming term that explores the intersections of rights, governmental authority, and individual liberties. These cases include crucial topics such as voting rights, transgender equality, religious freedoms, immigration detention, and criminal procedure, each poised to prompt significant legal and societal ramifications….
As Chief Justice John Roberts marks two decades at the helm of the United States Supreme Court, his influence on American jurisprudence is vividly unfolding. His tenure has been characterized by a robust endeavor to strike a balance between conservative principles and institutional legitimacy. This dual focus has had a profound impact on various facets…
Apple has removed ICEBlock and similar applications from its App Store following demands from the Trump administration. These apps allowed users to anonymously report and monitor the locations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed concerns that such applications could endanger law enforcement personnel. Attorney General Pam Bondi…