Magazine Archive

  • Featured
  • September 2019
Asylum Seekers Need Not Apply

The U.S. government justifies some of the policies implemented at the southern border as necessary measures to solve a crisis that was created by an alleged increase in the influx of individuals at the border seeking protection. The government also seeks to prevent the entry of individuals whose only interest in coming to the U.S....

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  • Featured
  • September 2019
The Importance of the Need for an Independent Immigration Court in Support of Due Process and the Rule of Law and its Volatile Impact in the Courtroom

As immigration lawyers we have seen how the office of the Attorney General is aggressively working to make these courts instruments of the administration’s immigration agenda. As part of his powers the Attorney General may overrule immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals decisions on his own initiative. In the past, Attorneys General have used...

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  • Featured
  • September 2019
Justice by Injunction? Recent Court Decisions

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court have recently issued decisions in two cases that impact current immigration practices and controversial policies of the Trump administration. The government’s authority to return asylum applicants to the contiguous territory and the authority to reprogram funds allocated to the Department of Defense by Congress will...

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  • Featured
  • September 2019
Trump Administration Aims to End Parole In Place (PIP) Program and Deportation Protection for United States Armed Forces Family Members Without Legal Status

On November 20, 2014, the Obama Administration through executive action, expanded the “Parole in Place” (PIP) program for members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouse, children (under age 21) and parents to alleviate these hardships. The current legal authority for the Department of Homeland Security’s parole power is a provision within the...

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  • Featured
  • September 2019
The End of ICE Detention at WCDF: Blessing or Burden?

Since at least 2009, Contra Costa County has contracted with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to house detained immigrants at the West County Detention Facility. By July 2018 West County was housing about 200 immigrants per day, generating about $3 million in annual revenue. Sheriff David Livingston was quoted as saying that the contract was...

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  • Featured
  • September 2019
Securing Safety for Low-Income Immigrant Survivors in Contra Costa County: A Holistic Approach

Every year, Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal services to roughly 10,000 low-income individuals, many of whom are immigrants and survivors of interpersonal violence like Silvia. Our mission across our six offices is to provide meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability....

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