Immigration
The Most Prosecuted Federal Offense in America: A Primer on the Criminalization of Border Crossing
Jessica Zhang, Andrew Patterson Thu, Jul 25, 2019, 8:41 AM
Overview
Andrew Patterson is a second-year J.D. student at Harvard Law School. Before law school, he served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in Near Eastern languages and civilizations.
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Immigration
Federal Court Orders Bond Hearings for Imprisoned Asylum Seekers
Andrew Patterson Wed, Jul 3, 2019, 10:50 AM
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the government to provide bond hearings to asylum seekers who were apprehended crossing the border irregularly and whose asylum claims were found viable by an asylum officer, temporarily halting a directive from Attorney General William Barr that would have denied these persons hearings where they can seek release from imprisonment.
Immigration
Asylum Officers: Remain in Mexico ‘Virtually Guarantees’ Unlawful Removal of Asylum Seekers
Andrew Patterson Fri, Jun 28, 2019, 1:59 PM
The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program has faced a great deal of criticism since the Trump administration unveiled the policy, colloquially known as Remain in Mexico, in January 2019. Now, the policy is facing public condemnation from within the Department of Homeland Security itself. A union representing asylum officers, the front-line adjudicators of humanitarian claims, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday criticizing the MPP program.
Immigration
Matter of M-S- and the Continuing Battle Over ‘Zero Tolerance’
Andrew Patterson Wed, May 29, 2019, 9:01 AM
Asylum seekers who have passed their credible fear interviews—those whom immigration officers find have viable asylum claims—may no longer have access to an important protection against prolonged imprisonment.
Executive Power
Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction on Remain in Mexico
Andrew Patterson Tue, Apr 9, 2019, 3:33 PM
A federal court issued a preliminary injunction against the administration’s policy of making asylum seekers wait in Mexico pending the resolution of their cases. The decision prevents the government from implementing or expanding the policy, effective Friday, April 12.
Civil Liberties and Constitutional Rights
New York Lawsuit Challenges Replacement of Immigration Court Hearings with Video Technology
Jessica Zhang, Andrew Patterson Tue, Mar 5, 2019, 9:00 AM
In the latest salvo in a long debate over the use of video teleconferencing (VTC) technology in immigration courts, several legal aid organizations filed a class-action lawsuit on Feb. 12 in New York challenging the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practice of denying in-person hearings to immigrants.
Immigration
Department of Homeland Security Releases Its 'Remain in Mexico' Plan
Andrew Patterson Fri, Feb 8, 2019, 8:00 AM
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released memos roughly outlining its plan to make asylum seekers wait in Mexico for immigration court hearings, which it calls the Migrant Protection Protocols. On Jan.