Immigrant Defense Project

BREAKING: Judge Stops Trump Administration Efforts to Bar More from Asylum

For Immediate Release November 19, 2020 BREAKING: Judge Stops Trump Administration Efforts to Bar More from Asylum Just One Day Before They Were Slated to Go Into Effect, Federal Judge Enjoins Broad Rules That Would Have Vastly Expanded Categorical Bars to Asylum New York/Washington/San Francisco – On Thursday, a federal judge in the Northern District of California issued a nationwide … Read more »

ICE Policing

October 2023 Update “Surge Operations” FOIA Litigation IDP et al. v. ICE et al., No. 1:20-cv-10625-RA (S.D.N.Y.)IDP et al. v. CBP et al., No. 1:22-cv-09920-RA (S.D.N.Y.)Requestors Immigrant Defense Project and Center for Constitutional Rights are represented by Andrew Wachtenheim, Ian Head, Ghita Schwarz, Mizue Aizeki, and Zee Scout.Court filings, administrative FOIA requests, relevant decisionsLegend:U.S. Department of Homeland Security = DHSU.S. … Read more »

Immigration Groups File Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Efforts to Bar More from Asylum

For Immediate Release November 2, 2020 Immigration Groups File Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Efforts to Bar More from Asylum  Groups Say Broad Rules Could Bar Asylum Seekers Convicted of Low Level Offenses and Even People Who Are Not Convicted of a Crime  New York/Washington/San Francisco – Four immigrant rights organizations—Pangea Legal Services, Dolores Street Community Services, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, … Read more »

ICE Policing at New York’s Courts

From January 2017 through December 2018, IDP documented an alarming 1700% increase in ICE arrests and attempted arrests across New York State. In 2018, IDP documented 219 such incidents—a 27% increase over 2017 (updated to reflect additional reports received). To learn more about the impact of ICE policing at New York’s courts, read our January 2020 report, “Denied, Disappeared, and Deported: … Read more »

Immigration Consequences of a Marijuana Offense

You probably know that people of color, which include immigrants, are disproportionately targeted in marijuana arrests by the police. You might not know that non-citizens get punished beyond the already harsh consequences of a marijuana conviction. Overnight, the lives they’ve built in the U.S. over decades can be destroyed. They can be torn from their families and exiled to a … Read more »

What Type of Immigration Case? Conozca Sus Derechos en Detención

This resource by IDP and Make the Road NY explains what type of immigration case you could have if you are arrested by ICE and your rights depending on your type of case. When someone is detained by ICE, whether they can fight their case in front of an immigration judge or in another way depends on their past experience. … Read more »

ICE Car Stops – KYR

Car Stops – Resource & Know Your Rights Handout IDP has developed a two-page resource explaining what to do if you are the driver or the passenger of a car that is stopped by ICE. Includes a two-page pullout sheet that explains your rights and what to say if ICE stops you in a car. Available here in English. Disponible … Read more »

Immigrant Advocates FOIA for Info on Clearview AI Contract with ICE for Facial Recognition Technology

For Immediate Release October 20, 2020 Immigrant Advocates FOIA for Info on Clearview AI Contract with ICE for Facial Recognition Technology Mijente, Immigrant Defense Project, Just Futures Law, and ACLU NorCal say the public should know how ICE is monitoring their social media accounts NEW YORK — A group of immigrant advocates and attorneys have filed a Freedom of Information … Read more »

Immigrant Defense Project Celebrates the Passage of the Protect Our Courts Act

For Immediate Release July 22, 2020 For more information contact: Rachel Cohen, [email protected], Immigrant Defense Project Immigrant Defense Project Celebrates the Passage of the Protect Our Courts Act  New York State Legislature Passes Momentous Legislation: ICE Cannot Use Courts to Trap Immigrant New Yorkers NEW YORK—The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) applauded the passage of the Protect Our Courts Act (S425/A2176), which … Read more »

Federal Judge Rules ICE Cannot Make Courthouse Arrests in New York

For Immediate Release June 10, 2020 For more information contact: Rachel Cohen, [email protected], Immigrant Defense Project Federal Judge Rules ICE Cannot Make Courthouse Arrests in New York New York Attorney General Leticia James and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez Win Summary Judgment: ICE Cannot Use Courts to Trap Immigrant New Yorkers NEW YORK—The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) applauded the federal … Read more »

COVID-19 Resources

In response to the threat of COVID-19, IDP has created several new resources for lawyers, immigrants, advocates, and community members. These resources, including template motions for redetermination and a handout on how to protect your community during COVID-19, are available below, along with a compilation of non-IDP resources that we’ve come across in the last several weeks and thought were … Read more »

Thoughts on Ten Years of Effectuating the Promise of Padilla v Kentucky

By Labe Richman  A decade ago, when Justice Stevens issued his seminal decision in Padilla v. Kentucky, the obvious was finally acknowledged by the Supreme Court – that non-citizen defendants had the right to know the immigration consequences of their pleas of guilty.  Many members of the community may not have understood the unfair and tragic situation that existed before. … Read more »

Padilla’s Tenth Anniversary: The Supreme Court’s Limited Step Triggers Awareness and a National Movement to Combat Collateral Consequences

By Norman Reimer  In reflecting on Padilla v. Kentucky at ten years, it is clear that in one important sense it transformed defense practice. The fact that the Supreme Court has not to date fully confronted the constitutional implications of the myriad collateral consequences that flow from a criminal conviction beyond immigration consequences means that Padilla remains somewhat of an … Read more »

Padilla v. Kentucky: How Analytical Frameworks Change at the Supreme Court and Implications for Day to Day Immigration Practice

Nancy Morawetz The tenth anniversary of the landmark Padilla v. Kentucky decision is an opportunity to reflect on the central role of the Supreme Court on day-to-day lawyering on behalf of immigrants.  Padilla is the keystone of representation for immigrants charged with crimes – the case that makes clear that immigration and criminal consequences cannot be disentangled.  Meanwhile, other cases … Read more »

Advising Clients about Pleas to N.Y.C. Admin Code 10-179

Advising Non-U.S. Citizen Clients about Pleas to N.Y.C. Admin Code 10-179 in Summons Court New York City Summons Court cases often conclude with New Yorkers pleading to a non-criminal violation and paying a fine. Upon first impression, cases concluding with a non-criminal violation appear inconsequential. However, even pleas to non-criminal violations taken in Summons Court can lead to devastating consequences … Read more »

New York Laws on Marijuana Decriminalization

On August 28, 2019, the marijuana decriminalization and expungement bill that passed in New York State earlier this year went into effect. Despite the changes to the law, people can still be arrested, charged, and fined for possessing a small amount of marijuana and these incidents may still lead to devastating immigration consequences. To try to dispel misconceptions and clarify … Read more »

Guide for Criminal Defense Counsel: Representing Clients Detained by ICE

The Immigrant Defense Project and Make the Road New York have created a guide for criminal defense attorneys who represent clients who are or may be detained by ICE. This guide, last updated in June 2019, provides information to help criminal defense attorneys: Identify strategies and arguments for ensuring fair access to the court for your client in ICE custody; … Read more »

Changes to New York Class A Misdemeanors Explained

One Day to Protect New Yorkers We won! On April 12, 2019, the governor signed One Day to Protect New Yorkers into law, changing the maximum possible sentence for class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors from 365 days to 364 days. Read this resource to find out what this law is and how it can impact you. Un Día Para … Read more »