My Blog — Page 32

ICE Announces Creation of Public Advocate

February 8, 2012 by Matthew

The Department of Homeland Security’s (“DHS”) website has announced that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) has created a new position: Public Advocate and Senior Advisor. The position will be held by Andrew Lorenzen-Strait. According to the announcement, the Public Advocate position primarily involves assisting individuals and community organizations with their complaints and concerns. I find it both fascinating and wonderful that a law enforcement agency would create a Public Advocate position. The most incredible part of the announcement is not just that the position has been created, but the statement that:

As we work to enact significant policy changes to focus the agency’s immigration enforcement resources on sensible priorities, implement policies and processes that prioritize the health and safety of detainees in our custody while increasing federal oversight, and improve the conditions of confinement within the detention system, I will strive to expand and enhance our dialogue with the stakeholder community.

I really hope that this portion of the announcement is true. It would be wonderful if ICE focused its enforcement resources on sensible priorities and improved the conditions of confinement. I’ve yet to see any signs of improvement for any of my detained clients.

I Am Now A Member of the BDS Advisory Board

January 28, 2012 by Matthew

The Brooklyn Defender Services (“BDS”) has invited me to be on its Advisory Board for its Immigration Unit. BDS originated as a public defender service and has expanded its services to include immigration. The BDS Advisory Board provides guidance to the BDS’ immigration lawyers. I’ve been helping their Immigration Unit with developing strategies for their cases and answering their questions about immigration law and immigration court practices. I enjoy mentoring immigration attorneys. One of my favorite things to do at the law firm that I used to work for was to train the new associates and supervise the interns.

I Spoke at Another AILA Federal Litigation Section Meeting

January 20, 2012 by Matthew

I spoke at the AILA Federal Litigation Section meeting again today. This is the second time that I’ve been asked to speak at the AILA Federal Litigation Section Meeting. Previously, I had posted that I spoke at the AILA Federal Litigation Section meeting on November 17, 2011.

Today, I spoke about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Judulang v. Holder. The Supreme Court’s decision in Judulang involves the availability of waivers pursuant to INA § 212(c) to criminal aliens. The Supreme Court’s decision in Judulang overturned two decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals: (1) Matter of Blake, 23 I. & N. Dec. 722 (2005); and (2) Matter of Brieva-Perez, 23 I. & N. Dec. 766 (2005). In doing so, the Supreme Court rejected the method that the Board was using to determine when deportable aliens could receive the waiver in deportation proceedings. The Supreme Court ordered the Board to come up with a new test. I spoke about strategies that immigration lawyers should use until there is a new test.