Immigration Law

Recent Posts

Federal District Court Reaffirms that ICE Detainers are Not Mandatory
Posted on 30 Sep 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"A federal judge yesterday reaffirmed that local law enforcement offices should not consider U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers mandatory. “For many years, ICE took advantage of legal ambiguity to convince law enforcement... Read More

Seattle Limits ICE Detainers
Posted on 3 Dec 2013 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Moments ago, the King County Council passed an ordinance ( 2013-0285 ) that would establish clear guidelines for local law enforcement's involvement in federal immigration enforcement and make our communities safer. The ordinance, co-sponsored... Read More

Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against Dallas County, Sheriff Lupe Valdez over Immigration Holds, Bonds
Posted on 27 Oct 2015 by Daniel M. Kowalski

Dianne Solís, Dallas Morning News, Oct. 27, 2015 - "A federal civil rights suit was filed yesterday by 16 plaintiffs against Dallas County and Sheriff Lupe Valdez over bonds and the use of immigration holds requested by U.S. Immigration and... Read More

Santa Cruz County Says 'No' to ICE Holds
Posted on 13 May 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Santa Cruz County will no longer honor federal immigration holds for people suspected of coming here illegally, effectively ending local involvement in a controversial program known as Secure Communities. The move follows the lead of several counties... Read More

Report: Collaboration between King County (Seattle, WA) jails and ICE results in unfair and costly impact
Posted on 28 Mar 2013 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"A study released by the University of Washington today offers detailed analysis of the impacts of King County jail’s collaboration in the immigration enforcement policies and practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division... Read More

Will Travis County (Austin, TX) Be Sued For Participating in ICE Immigration Holds?
Posted on 10 May 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Barbara Hines, co-director of UT-Austin’s Immigration Clinic , is one of the dozens of attorneys who delivered a letter to Travis County Commissioners warning they may be sued for participating in Secure Communities. "An ICE detainer... Read More

Denver Joins Growing List of Colorado Counties Rejecting ICE Holds
Posted on 1 May 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Denver will no longer hold inmates for federal immigration authorities solely on the basis of immigration status, Sheriff Gary Wilson said Wednesday. The move to refuse federal immigration holds follows federal court rulings in other states that... Read More

Two More Counties Say 'No' to ICE Holds
Posted on 19 Sep 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Sheriff's departments in both Long Island counties said they no longer will hold in jail immigrants who are flagged for deportation unless federal officials produce warrants, curtailing participation in a controversial Immigration and Customs... Read More

CRS on ICE Detainers / Holds
Posted on 10 May 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"[T]his report surveys the various authorities governing immigration detainers, including the standard detainer form (Form I-247) sent by ICE to other law enforcement agencies. The report also discusses key legal issues raised by immigration detainers... Read More

Tags: detainers , holds , crs , ICE

Updated List of Oregon Counties Not Honoring ICE Detainers/Holds
Posted on 24 Apr 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Updated list of Counties (April 23, 2014) Counties* in Oregon that do not honor ICE holds as compliant with the 4th Amendment for detention purposes: Clackamas Crook Deschutes Douglas Gilliam Hood River Jackson Jefferson... Read More

Tags: detainers , holds , Oregon , ICE

L.A. Says 'No' to ICE Detainers
Posted on 9 Jul 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Frustrated at the lack of action on immigration reform by the federal government, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday the Los Angeles Police Department will no longer honor most federal requests to detain arrestees so they can be investigated for... Read More

Oregon Ruling Spurs Halt on Immigration Detainers
Posted on 18 Apr 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

A federal judge in Oregon has found that an immigrant woman's constitutional rights were violated when she was held in jail without probable cause at the request of U.S. immigration authorities, one of several recent federal court decisions to scrutinize... Read More

Tags: detainers , holds , Oregon , ICE

American Citizens: Bycatch in ICE Detainer Dragnets?
Posted on 22 Feb 2013 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Local law enforcement officials detained more than 800 U.S. citizens at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over a four-year period, according to an analysis of ICE statistics released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse... Read More

Hennepin County, MN Says 'No' to ICE Holds
Posted on 11 Jun 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek and County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Wednesday that the sheriff’s office will no longer honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests. In the past, “ICE holds” —... Read More

San Diego County Sheriff Puts End To ICE Immigration Holds
Posted on 31 May 2014 by Daniel M. Kowalski

"San Diego County jails no longer will take part in the practice of holding inmates past their jail release dates to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to take custody of them, Sheriff Bill Gore announced Thursday . The... Read More