We have been posting periodic updates on the status of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) Program, which was suspended for new applications in late 2016. It was known that MAVNI had been suspended to assess apparent security vulnerabilities in the program. On August 1, 2017, James Rosen of Fox News reported with greater detail on the specific issues that led to the suspension of MAVNI.
On June 20, 2017, the United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the “National Public Safety Partnership.” Localities may apply to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership. The Department of Justice (DOJ) will assist participating localities in reducing violent crime rates. On August 3, 2017, the DOJ announced that, in order to be selected for participation in the National Public Safety Partnership program, “local jurisdictions must show a commitment to reducing crime stemming from illegal immigration.”
On August 1, 2017, Alex Swayer of the Washington Times reported that while President Donald Trump has had difficulty filling many posts in the Executive Branch, he is moving at a brisk pace on judicial nominations. Five of the judges nominated thus far by President Trump have already been confirmed by the Senate, including one to the Supreme Court of the United States, three to Federal circuit courts, and one to a Federal district court. At the same point in his first term, President Barack Obama had no judges confirmed and President George W. Bush had only three (one circuit and two district court judges). In this post, we examine in brief the five judges confirmed to the bench in the first few months of the Trump Administration.
On August 1, 2017, by a vote of 92-5, the United States Senate confirmed Christopher Wray as the eighth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Wray will take over from Andrew McCabe, who served for three months in an acting capacity subsequent to the termination of former Director James Comey.
On July 31, 2017, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it had signed 18 new agreements throughout Texas under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 287(g) of the INA allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into a written agreement with a State or a political subdivision of a State to permit local authorities to perform the functions of Federal immigration officers in cooperation with the DHS.
On August 1, 2017, the Executive Officer for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that it will temporarily close the New Orleans Immigration Court at noon on August 16, 2017. This closure is to prepare for relocation. The New Orleans Immigration Court will reopen at its new location on August 22, 2017.
On July 28, 2017, President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that the now former Secretary of Homeland Security, John F. Kelly, will succeed Reince Preibus as the 25th White House Chief of Staff. Effective immediately, the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine C. Duke, will assume leadership of the Department in an Acting capacity.
The USCIS will now allow LPRs who file an online Form I-90 to do so and upload evidence entirely on a mobile device. It also redesigned the online Form I-90 to make site navigation easier.
On July 19, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States scheduled oral arguments for the beginning of October Term 2017. The first eight days of the new term will see oral arguments in three important immigration cases.
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are co-sponsoring a new version of the “Dream Act.” On July 20, 2017, they released a section-by-section breakdown of their proposed legislation. In this post, we will briefly examine the proposed legislation and its long-term prospects for becoming law.
