Landlord Sues New Jersey ICE Detention Facility
Portview Properties, which owns a property in Elizabeth, New Jersey, that is currently being used to detain immigrants, has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court against CoreCivic, the operator of the prison, alleging that the company has failed to implement safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) on COVID-19, posing a threat to the health of the detainees. » Read More
The Biden Administration has sued Texas over its new directive that allows state troopers to stop and turn back vehicles carrying immigrants, fearing a surge in COVID-19 spread. This drew swift backlash from the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), noting that Texas is hindering federal immigration policies. » Read More
New Jersey Governor Moves to Ban Future ICE Detention Centers
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed a bill that bans state and county governments from entering or renewing existing contracts to house immigrants in detention centers. While the bill will allow current detentions at both the Bergen and Hudson county prisons for the remainders of the existing agreements, county officials indicated immediately after the law’s passage that it would be slowing down and eventually ending, immigrant detention. » Read More
New Jersey Sees Dramatic Increase in Driver’s Licenses after Permitting Undocumented Individuals to Apply
The state of New Jersey has seen a more than 60% increase in new driver’s licenses issued since May 1, as the new state law took effect law that permitted residents to obtain licenses regardless of immigration status. » Read More
On May 27, U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) issued a memo that elaborated on the power of prosecutors to dismiss cases of immigrants with certain special concerns or situations. Unlike the previous government, the Biden administration has given the prosecutors the liberty to pursue or drop cases. » Read More
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced an extension of its interim policy that allows employers to inspect the Form I-9 requirement virtually through August 31, 2021. This flexibility was first issued by ICE in March 2020, due to the pandemic, and has been extended multiple times since. » Read More
State Bill Would End ICE Contracts in New Jersey
The Law and Public Safety Committee of the New Jersey State Senate has advanced a bill that would bar local governments and private prisons from entering into any contracts to house or detain people for civil immigration violations. » Read More
On April 30, 2021, a new COVID-related travel ban was implemented by the Biden administration. The ban suspended entry into the United States of nonimmigrants who were physically present in India during the preceding 14 days. The administration instituted this ban to curtail the spread of a new coronavirus variant that has caused catastrophic devastation in India. » Read More
New Jersey ICE Detention Center Sued Over Dangerous Conditions
This week, the owner of a property currently being used as an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, filed a lawsuit against CoreCivic, the company that maintains the prison. The lawsuit alleges that CoreCivic violated the conditions of its tenancy by failing to follow applicable regulations instituted to stop the spread of COVID-19 among its inmates. » Read More
The past year was unique for everyone battling the pandemic, but it was especially challenging for refugees who had to acclimate to a new country while also navigating the pandemic. Many immigrants were left with little choice but to take up jobs with a high risk of contracting the infection or jobs where social distancing is impractical. » Read More
