What’s New?
Supreme Court Expands Immigration Enforcement Powers
On Monday, Sept. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision granting the administration broader immigration enforcement authority. The ruling overturned a lower court order that stopped Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from making arrests based on an individual’s appearance, language, or their place of work (Noem vs. Vasquez Perdomo).
This decision effectively reinstates the “roving raids” that occurred in Los Angeles earlier this year.
In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote about the implications:
“The Government, and now the concurrence, has all but declared that all Latinos, U. S. citizens or not, who work low wage jobs are fair game to be seized at any time, taken away from work, and held until they provide proof of their legal status to the agents’ satisfaction.”
Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson joined in the dissent.
What Else?
New Immigration Law Enforcement Agents Under USCIS
The administration issued a new final rule that creates immigration enforcement agents within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - the agency responsible for processing visas, Green Cards, and citizenship applications.
For the first time, USCIS personnel will be able to search, arrest, and detain individuals -- and their legal representatives – for any alleged application violations.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association criticized the move as “attacks on those who are following the rules.” The rule is expected to take effect on October 6.
U.S. Government Admits Children Were Not Asked to Be Returned
During a Sept. 10 hearing, the U.S. government admitted that it attempted to deport children to Guatemala over Labor Day weekend without any request from their parents.
This admission followed a review issued by the Guatemalan government, which attempted to contact the children’s parents – most of whom could not be located. The judge in the case (LMGL v. Noem) is considering whether to extend or broaden the temporary restraining order that currently blocks the removal of unaccompanied Guatemalan children to all unaccompanied children.
TPS Expired for Honduras and Nicaragua
On Sept. 8, approximately 58,200 people from Honduras and Nicaragua lost their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which provides protection from deportation and provides work permits to individuals whose home countries are unsafe to return to due to conflict or natural disaster.
How You Can Help:
Donate
Your support allows LSSNCA to continue our critical work, including immigration legal services and direct services for unaccompanied children.
Become a Foster Parent
Foster parents for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) provide loving and responsible homes for youth who have arrived in the United States without parents or legal guardians. Learn more about how you can make a lasting impact.
