Advocacy
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
While there is nothing notable happening in the area of CIR, there have been some positive developments in the area of helping the immigrant community. In August 2011, the Obama Administration announced a policy to take a closer look at the cases of the more than 300,000 persons currently in removal proceedings.
The Office of the Chief Counsel who represents Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been agreeing to administratively close, or terminate the court cases of many immigrants who can show positive equities. These include; lack of criminal convictions, alternative means to get legal status, such as through a spouse or parent, length of physical presence in the U.S., health issues, and prior immigration violations.
DREAM Act-
AILA attorneys are looking to the Office of the chief counsel to exercise discretion and join in motions to dismiss the removal proceedings for youth that would benefit from the DREAM Act. [more soon]
