News & Updates
On March 10, 2021, Senior District Judge Susan Illston from the U.S. District Court of Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction in the case Centro Legal de La Raza et al v. EOIR et al, challenging the harmful DOJ rule severely limiting sua sponte motions in immigration court proceedings and curtailing the use…
Read MoreU.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 & Its Impact on Survivors: On Thursday, February 18, 2021 theU.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 was introduced in the House by Representative Linda Sánchez and in the Senate by Senator Bob Menendez. ASISTA and our partners with the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors have prepared an overview of the bill with a discussion…
Read MoreAs usual, there have been several policy updates over the last few weeks, from the rescission of the immigrant travel ban impacting family, employment and diversity visas to the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the public charge rule. Here are some other important policy updates and news from ASISTA. U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 & Its Impact on…
Read MoreASISTA’s own Amy Cheung weighing in on the heavy backlog with the U Visa program which Congress created to strengthen the ability of police agencies to investigate and prosecute violent crimes like domestic & sexual assault. “Biden’s plan to raise the cap to 30,000 is a promising start but given the immense backlog, there is still more…
Read MoreIn December, the 9th Circuit held in Medina Tovar v. Zuchowski that certain after-acquired spouses of U visa petitioners are eligible to “accompany or follow to join” the U-1 through the I-918A petitioning process. The Court recently issued its mandate on 1/25/2021. The judgment in Medina Tovar is therefore in effect as of 1/25/2021. We’ve prepared this Practice Alert to help you…
Read MoreAs usual, there have been many immigration policy updates this past week. Please see below for a brief summary of a few of those updates, as well as some upcoming ASISTA events. Flexibility in Deadline Extension Challenges to Enforcement Executive Order New Circuit Decisions ASISTA joins Important Amicus Efforts New ASISTA Training! Flexibility in Deadline Extension Last…
Read MoreThe 1st Circuit found that the BIA had abused its discretion in failing to follow Matter of Sanchez-Sosa in adjudicating the U visa petitioner’s Motion to Reopen and ordered remand. Click on the links to access the Amicus Brief and the Decision.
Read MoreDear partners, The Biden-Harris Administration has already introduced important immigration policy reforms, including efforts that enhance protections for immigrant survivors. ASISTA welcomes these efforts, and we will be there each step of the way to help ensure a safer and more just America for survivors and for all immigrants. We are committed, as always, to keeping you informed…
Read MoreThere have been many policy and practice updates over the last few weeks. We’ve compiled a short list of a few important updates to help you keep track. Upcoming Closures USCIS temporarily suspends in-person services. USCIS announced Friday afternoon that it will temporarily suspend in-person services next Tuesday and Wednesday. USCIS issued the following notice: “U.S. Citizenship…
Read MoreA lot has happened in the past week! We’ve compiled a short list of important updates to help you keep track. Expansion of Filing Flexibility Important Update on Blank Space Policy Litigation Policy Manual Changes EOIR Comment Opportunities-deadlines December 28th Issuance of Final Regulations on Asylum, Admin Closure, and more 1. Expansion of Filing Flexibility: On December 18, USCIS…
Read More(Please know the video does discuss an episode of violence.)
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Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new rule that makes sweeping and devastating changes to asylum. This rule would deny the vast majority of asylum-seekers – including survivors of gender-based violence – the chance to make their case for protection, let alone to have a fair day…
Read MoreThe American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), ASISTA and the Domestic Violence Project (DVP) of the Urban Justice Center have published a new practice advisory based on new USCIS documentation obtained by FOIA litigation brought by Cleary Gottlieb on behalf of DVP. This advisory contains a summary of the records USCIS released through the FOIA litigation , as…
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In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are re-releasing our report, co-authored by Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) “In Harm’s Way,” that details how current federal policies are not protecting immigrants suffering from domestic violence. We can, and must, do better to give immigrants full protection from domestic violence. Read our report here ->…
Read MoreOn October 13, 2020, ASISTA submitted a comment in response to USCIS harmful new proposed rule that would pose significant privacy, confidentiality and safety implications for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and other gender-based abuses. The proposed rule would change, among other things: Drastically increase the types of biometric information collected…
Read MoreOver the last few week, there have been several updates that impact fee waiver practice. ASISTA has updated its fee rule advisory to provide additional background information and updates for agencies working with immigrant survivors and their families.
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ASISTA opposes harmful proposed DOJ rules
On December 28, 2020, ASISTA submitted two comments in response to two proposed Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR rules) which would limit access to relief for immigrants with matters in Immigration Court, including survivors. Defining “Good cause” for continuances: This new proposed rule severely limits motions to continue, which given the…
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