American Immigration Council

Released on Tue, Dec 18, 2012

Washington D.C. – The American Immigration Council mourns the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye. As the most senior member of the U.S. Senate, he was a stalwart supporter of immigration reform and spoke eloquently about his support for giving young undocumented youth the opportunity to become fully American.

The American Immigration Council was pleased to award Senator Inouye our “Stephen K. Fischel Distinguished Public Service Award” in the Spring of 2011 - an award given to individuals who exhibit a commitment and dedication to our heritage as a nation of immigrants and to the struggle to create fair and humane immigration policies in the United States.

In December of 2010, Senator Inouye made the following statement after the Senate’s failure to pass the DREAM Act during the lame duck session of Congress:

“The comprehensive immigration reform we claim we want in this country will not occur if we do not allow for the basic education of children and if we do not nurture the patriotic spirit of those brave enough to put on the uniform and fight for this country.  I was once labeled an enemy Alien by this country but we petitioned the government to allow us to fight and by the end of World War II the 442 Regimental Combat team had suffered the most casualties in the European campaign but was also the most decorated unit of its size in the history of the United States military.   By allowing the DREAM Act to sit idle, we extinguish hope for a lot of people and deny too many the opportunity I was given.”

The American Immigration Council sends its condolences to those who knew and loved Senator Inouye. We are a better nation for his service and will stand with those who work to advance the issues he most cared about.Read more...

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Released on Fri, Dec 14, 2012

Washington D.C. - The American Immigration Council (AIC) welcomes U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) decision, announced yesterday, to stop providing interpretation assistance to other law enforcement agencies.  This decision, which is set forth in new agency guidance that has not been publicly released, reportedly directs CBP personnel to refer requests for language translation to a list of private regional and state interpreter associations.  The guidance does not affect CBP’s authority to respond to requests from law enforcement agencies for other types of assistance.Read more...

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Released on Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Dear Friend:

Two weeks ago, many national leaders awoke to a new political and demographic reality—one that they had long suspected and been warned about, but couldn’t quite believe until the election results were in. The unmistakable lessons of this political season are that national elections are won by uniting a diverse coalition of American voters and promoting positive solutions to the challenges that face our nation. 

The good news for our political system is that neither party has a monopoly on the ability to meet this new demand. These lessons reflect a need and an opportunity to break through the partisan gridlock that has crippled the nation and to build broad coalitions in support of real solutions that are driven by messages that unite us rather than divide us.   Nowhere is this clearer than in the immigration debate.   Misguided and mean-spirited ideas like “self-deportation” no longer have credibility on the national stage. The strategy of ignoring the human and economic toll of “enforcement only” policies and refusing to reform an outdated and dysfunctional immigration system must be put to rest once and for all.   The shrill voices of the nativist fringe must give way to the chorus of conservative and progressive voices that have long called for a path towards citizenship for the 11 million undocumented (including the courageous DREAMers who helped to shape this new political reality) and the creation of a 21^st century immigration system that allows families and businesses to flourish and succeed.Read more...

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Released on Wed, Jun 13, 2012

Practice Advisory on Dent v. Holder and Obtaining Documents from
the Government While in Removal Proceedings

Washington, D.C.—The Legal Action Center (LAC) is pleased to announce the issuance of a new Practice Advisory, Dent v. Holder and Strategies for Obtaining Documents from the Government During Removal Proceedings.

In Dent v. Holder, the Ninth Circuit found that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires the government to turn over copies of documents in a respondent’s Alien File (A-file) in cases where removability is contested. Significantly, the court held that the respondent’s access to his or her records is not conditioned on filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act. This Practice Advisory discusses the Ninth Circuit’s decision and offers strategies for making document requests pursuant to the INA and due process, both in the Ninth Circuit, where Dent is binding authority, as well as outside the Ninth Circuit. 

For a complete list of all LAC Practice Advisories, please visit the LAC’s website.

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For more information, contact [email protected].    

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Released on Thu, Oct 25, 2012

Updated Practice Advisory on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Washington, D.C. — The Legal Action Center (LAC) is pleased to release an updated Practice Advisory, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This Practice Advisory incorporates recent DHS guidance regarding fraudulent Social Security numbers, required evidence, and travel considerations for individuals who are requesting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  It also offers strategic advice for attorneys representing individuals who may qualify for DACA.  The LAC issued this advisory jointly with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild.

For additional resources related to DACA, visit the Immigration Policy Center’s website. 

For a complete list of all LAC Practice Advisories, please visit the LAC’s website.

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Released on Wed, Oct 17, 2012

LAC Practice Advisory on Employment Authorization and Asylum:
Strategies to Avoid Stopping the Asylum Clock

Washington, D.C.—The Legal Action Center (LAC) released an updated practice advisory, Employment Authorization And Asylum: Strategies To Avoid Stopping The Asylum Clock.  This practice advisory provides an overview of the work authorization process for asylum applicants, addresses the operation of the “asylum clock,” which is used to track the 180-day waiting period during which an applicant cannot apply for work authorization, and discusses possible solutions to several common asylum clock problems.  The practice advisory also discusses the policies and practices the LAC and co-counsel are challenging in a class action filed on behalf of asylum applicants harmed by the asylum clock process. 

For additional resources related to the LAC’s work on employment authorization for asylum applicants, including information about the class action, visit our Asylum Clock webpage.

For a complete list of all LAC practice advisories, please visit the LAC’s website.

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For more information contact [email protected].

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Released on Fri, Nov 02, 2012

Challenging Matter of E-R-M-F- & A-S-M-:
Warrantless Arrests and the Timing of Right to Counsel Advisals

Washington, D.C.—In Matter of E-R-M-F- & A-S-M-, 25 I. & N. Dec. 580 (BIA 2011), the Board of Immigration Appeals severely undermined the protections provided by 8 C.F.R. § 287.3(c), holding that certain noncitizens arrested without a warrant need not be advised of their rights, including the right to counsel, prior to post-arrest examinations. In a new practice advisory, Challenging Matter of E-R-M-F- & A-S-M-:  Warrantless Arrests and the Timing of Right to Counsel Advisals, the LAC highlights flaws in the E-R-M-F- decision and suggests strategies for challenging the BIA’s reading of § 287.3(c) and moving to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the regulation.

The Legal Action Center encourages attorneys with ongoing cases involving the timing of the 8 C.F.R. § 287.3(c) advisals to contact [email protected] for further information.

For a complete list of all LAC practice advisories, please visit the LAC’s website.

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For more information, contact [email protected].

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