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Immigration Practice Resources

Search immigration practice advisories, sample filings, manuals, brief banks, and government guidance from trusted practitioner sources.

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American Immigration Council Practice advisory Jun 4, 2021

Freedom of Information Act and Immigration Agencies

This Practice Advisory provides a broad overview of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including how to make a FOIA request and how to appeal an inadequate response. It discusses the exemptions from FOIA that agencies are most likely to invoke in immigration cases, and lays out the basics of bringing a federal district court challenge to an agency’s failure to disclose certain documents. In addition, the Practice Advisory collects the FOIA policies of the most relevant immigration agencies i

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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Jun 3, 2021

Immigration Consequences of Pretrial Diversion and Intervention Agreements

Immigration law has its own definition of what constitutes a criminal conviction. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and other courts have held that certain types of pretrial diversion and intervention agreements that result in dismissal under state law can still constitute a conviction for immigration purposes. Practitioners must pay close attention to the structure of such agreements, and the variety of available diversion programs, when evaluating a client’s criminal history and advising

Crimes and categorical approach BIA appeals BIA Direct PDF
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American Immigration Council Practice advisory Apr 22, 2020

Standards of Review Applied by the Board of Immigration Appeals

This practice advisory discusses the standards of review that the Board of Immigration Appeals is required to employ when it reviews appeals of immigration judge decisions. The advisory suggests arguments practitioners can make when the Board applies an incorrect standard of review. The advisory also includes an appendix containing citations to select circuit court decisions reversing agency decisions on this basis.

Removal defense BIA appeals Immigration court BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Apr 15, 2020

Using and Defending California Penal Code § 1473.7 Vacaturs in Immigration Proceedings: Sample Memorandum of Law and Table of BIA Cases

In 2016, California passed California Penal Code § 1473.7, a critical post-conviction relief vehicle for people no longer in criminal custody to move to eliminate prior convictions that violated constitutional and statutory rights to due process and effective assistance of counsel. Under decades of legal precedent, prior offenses vacated on this basis are outside the federal immigration definition of "conviction." Nevertheless, some DHS attorneys incorrectly argue that § 1473.7 vacaturs are not

Detention / bond Crimes and categorical approach BIA appeals BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Template motion Apr 2, 2020

Motions with the BIA

This advisory provides an overview of the most common types of motions filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals. It discusses the types of motions the Board will accept while proceedings are pending before it, such as motions to remand. It also discusses motions filed with the Board after it has issued a final order of removal, which includes motions to reconsider and motions to reopen. It contains guidelines on determining what type of motion is appropriate in specific circumstances and how

Removal defense Motions to reopen / reconsider BIA appeals BIA Direct PDF
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National Immigration Project Practice advisory Mar 21, 2020

Practice Pointer: Matter of Castillo-Perez

This practice pointer provides a background on Castillo-Perez , explains the good moral character requirement of non-LPR cancellation, and clarifies the practical implications of the decision. The practice pointer also suggests arguments limiting the decision’s scope and highlights some pitfalls in the attorney general’s reasoning that could be raised on appeal.

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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Oct 31, 2019

Practice Advisory: AG Overturns Sentence Modification Rule: Matter of Thomas & Matter of Thompson

On October 25, 2019, Attorney General Barr issued a precedential opinion limiting when immigration authorities will give effect to a state court modification of an imposed sentence. See Matter of Thomas and Matter of Thompson , 27 I&N Dec. 674 (AG 2019), available at: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1213201/download (“ Matter of Thomas/Thompson ”) While advocates plan to challenge this decision in the courts of appeals, it is now binding law. This advisory summarizes the case, provides ad

BIA appeals Special immigrant BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Oct 2, 2019

How to Successfully Administratively Appeal Your Naturalization Denial

While the best-case scenario would be for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to approve a person’s naturalization application, receiving a denial after a naturalization interview is not the end of the road. If USCIS denies the naturalization application, persons can seek a USCIS hearing to appeal the denial by submitting form N-336 (informally known as an administrative appeal). Although the process is simple, many do not take advantage of this process.

Removal defense Naturalization BIA appeals USCIS BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Aug 6, 2019

Practice Advisory: Ninth Circuit holds Calif Pen C 243(d) is a crime of violence in U.S. v. Perez

In a flawed but significant decision, the Ninth Circuit held that California Penal Code § 243(d), battery with injury, is a crime of violence. United States v. Perez (9th Cir. July 11, 2019). Because of Perez, criminal defenders must assume that § 243(d) is a crime of violence and seek other dispositions when necessary. Immigration advocates should appeal adverse decisions and preserve the argument on appeal. See this Advisory for a discussion of the decision, alternative pleas, and suggestions

Crimes and categorical approach BIA appeals BIA Court of appeals Direct PDF
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American Immigration Council Practice advisory Jul 11, 2019

Raids Response Materials for Individuals with Final Removal Orders

In anticipation of widespread raids in July 2019, the American Immigration Council has prepared template materials to assist attorneys representing individuals with final removal orders issued by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. ¹ Materials include templates of: (1) a general skeletal motion to reopen a removal order and motion to stay removal for filing with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or immigration court (for pro se and represented cases); (2) a skeletal motion to resci

Removal defense Motions to reopen / reconsider BIA appeals Immigration court BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Apr 5, 2019

What Qualifies as a Conviction for Immigration Purposes?

Immigration law has its own definition of what constitutes a criminal "conviction." Because most, although not all, immigration consequences require a conviction, if your client does not have a conviction the immigration case might be saved. This Advisory discusses which dispositions that come out of criminal court actually constitute a conviction for immigration purposes, and how to avoid a conviction. It has been updated to include the BIA's decision that a conviction on direct appeal of right

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