U.S. Cuts Congressional Bill Delays Deportation for Immigrants

In a variety of different cases, members of Congress have filed private bills to legalize the status of individual immigrants and prevent their deportation. For most immigrants in this situation, a private bill sponsored by a member of Congress is a last-ditch effort to avoid deportation. Filing these bills, even if Congress does not ultimately approve them, typically at least delays the deportation of these immigrants while Congress is considering the bills. The Trump administration, however, now has pledged to reduce the amount of time they will delay the deportation of these immigrants. More specifically, according to acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Thomas Homan, ICE will refrain from deporting these immigrants for a period of only six months, with the possibility of one 90-day extension. In the past, ICE held off on deportations for these immigrants for much longer periods of times and in some cases, years, throughout one or more sessions of Congress. Additionally, congressional leaders must now formally request ICE to delay deportations. Although these changes affect a relatively small number of immigrants, they are indicative of the overall increased focus on immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. Congress only passed 94 of these private immigration bills between 1986 and 2013. Nonetheless, some U.S. senators criticized ICE for changing longstanding policies on private bills without even consulting lawmakers first. Over the last six years, ICE granted at least 70 stays of deportation for immigrants with pending private bills, based solely on informal requests. With the current policy, an immigrant could be deported before Congress even reviews a private bill concerning the immigrant. The deportation defense lawyers of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. are here to handle deportation defense claims on behalf of individuals who have been detained and charged with removal. We know how devastating it can be for individuals to face potentially being forced to return to a country where they previously were persecuted, where they no longer have family or a home, or where they will experience significant violence and unrest. We care about you and your family, and we want to help you remain in the country. Call our office today to set up a time to talk with us about your situation.