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Federal Judge Orders Release of UC Berkeley Student from ICE Custody, Citing Due Process Violations

Federal Judge Orders Release of UC Berkeley Student from ICE Custody, Citing Due Process Violations

A federal judge has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release Paula Valentina Albornoz Hernandez, a 23-year-old UC Berkeley student and asylum seeker, who was detained at San Francisco International Airport. U.S. District Court Judge Dena Coggins ruled that Albornoz Hernandez's detention violated due process, stating that the government cannot detain a noncitizen without providing adequate notice and a pre-deprivation hearing before a neutral arbiter. Albornoz Hernandez, a business administration student from Colombia, was arrested by ICE agents while waiting to board a flight for a vacation, despite having a pending asylum case and a current work permit. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had argued she was deportable for overstaying a visa in 2023 and that her work authorization and asylum application did not confer legal status.

Democrats are ready to fight Trump on immigration. But how much can they achieve?

Democrats are ready to fight Trump on immigration. But how much can they achieve?

By Julia Harte, Kristina Cooke and Richard Cowan Nov 11 (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers are gearing up to fight President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown when in control of Congress next year, targeting ICE tactics and expanding paths to legal status despite limits on how much they can achieve

Immigration arrests go on unabated despite Trump's misgivings after the GOP's midterm wipeout

Immigration arrests go on unabated despite Trump's misgivings after the GOP's midterm wipeout

In the wake of midterm elections, President Donald Trump said his immigration crackdown may have been “too tough” and suggested it was time to sit down with the Democrats

Judge orders UC Berkeley student released from ICE custody

Judge orders UC Berkeley student released from ICE custody

A federal judge has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release a UC Berkeley student and asylum seeker detained at San Francisco International Airport on October 30

DHS Proposes Ending Deference for H-1B and I-129 Visa Extensions, Potentially Increasing Scrutiny

DHS Proposes Ending Deference for H-1B and I-129 Visa Extensions, Potentially Increasing Scrutiny

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a rule change that would eliminate the requirement for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to defer to prior approvals when processing extensions for H-1B and other I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions. This proposed change, titled 'Removing Deference to Prior USCIS Determinations of Eligibility,' was published on October 14, 2026, and public comments are due by November 13, 2026. Currently, USCIS officers are instructed to defer to previous decisions for the same employer, worker, and job unless there's a material error, a material change in circumstances, or new adverse information. The proposed rule would delete this instruction, meaning each extension would be reviewed as if it were a new application. DHS estimates this change would affect approximately 208,429 petitions annually, with H-1B petitions constituting over 75% of all I-129 filings. The agency justifies this by stating that the current deference shifts the burden of proof fr...

After saying deportation policy was too tough, Trump now says it's 'very strong,' rejects 'amnesty'

After saying deportation policy was too tough, Trump now says it's 'very strong,' rejects 'amnesty'

President Donald Trump has defended his administration's deportation policy and opposed any immigration deal that includes amnesty for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally

Asylum Seekers Face Detention and Legal Hurdles While Awaiting Decisions in the U.S.

Asylum Seekers Face Detention and Legal Hurdles While Awaiting Decisions in the U.S.

Individuals fleeing danger in their home countries and seeking protection in the United States are categorized as asylum seekers while their applications are pending. These individuals, often referred to as 'illegal immigrants' by some, are in the initial stages of a process that could lead to asylee status and eventually citizenship. U.S. law permits asylum seekers to apply for work permits, enabling them to legally support themselves during the lengthy adjudication process. However, despite having valid work permits, some asylum seekers are being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A specific case highlights a Honduran teenager fleeing gang violence who, despite having a valid work permit, was arrested and detained by ICE, leading him to withdraw his asylum request and return to his home country due to the prospect of indefinite detention. This illustrates a significant challenge within the current asylum system, where individuals are often locked up in immigration prisons, which are d...

Northern California nurse and professor detained by ICE for months

Northern California nurse and professor detained by ICE for months

Community members and Congressman Josh Harder call on the Trump Administration to release Ann Lawani, a nurse and professor in Northern California.

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Released from ICE Custody Following Detention

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Released from ICE Custody Following Detention

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a 21-year-old South African-born Wisconsin State Patrol trooper, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on November 6, according to his attorney, Marc Christopher. Van Der Merwe, who holds a valid work permit, was detained on November 5 by federal immigration agents while traveling to visit family. He was released under an order of supervision, which mandates periodic check-ins with ICE and likely electronic monitoring. Van Der Merwe came to the U.S. with his family at age 14 on visas, and his family's asylum case has been pending for seven years. His work authorization is valid until 2030. Rep. Derrick Van Orden intervened on Van Der Merwe's behalf, contacting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to discuss the case. A spokesperson for Van Orden stated that authorities would work to resolve his immigration paperwork and legal status. ICE asserts that Van Der Merwe overstayed his visitor's visa, which his attorney disputes, ...

Deportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

Deportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

A U.S. deportation flight of at least eight Iranian nationals who were eventually bound for Iran has been abruptly canceled

Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election

Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election

President Donald Trump said he thinks his administration was too aggressive on deportations

OECD Countries Implement More Selective Migration Policies Focused on Economic Contribution

OECD Countries Implement More Selective Migration Policies Focused on Economic Contribution

OECD countries are increasingly adopting more selective migration policies, shifting towards tighter entry requirements and prioritizing migrants' economic contributions. This trend is driven by a need to balance structural demands for immigration, such as labor shortages and aging populations, with growing political pressure to control migration flows. Policies now include explicit targets to reduce immigration, stricter conditions for asylum seekers and family reunification, and restricted access to social benefits. Labor-related migration routes have become more aligned with individual countries' economic needs, leading to an expansion of quota systems and lists of shortage occupations. Integration policies are also evolving, linking reception to labor market participation and strengthening mechanisms for recognizing foreign qualifications and expanding training programs for vulnerable groups like migrant women. This reflects a broader move towards more restrictive systems with a stronger emphasis on ec...