Seattle PD has confronted peaceful demonstration in Capitol Hill. People already pepper sprayed earlier today. #SeattleProtest#CapitolHill
Cars are blocking this armed police vehicle from entering the protest area. Unclear if Seattle PD or from another jurisdiction. #Seattleprotest#CapitolHill
.we’ve heard this before from @SeattlePD and @carmenbest. Last time they promised this, the used tear gas the very same night. @SeattlePD has already used pepper spray on peaceful protest today.
s/o @KromanDavid for keeping us up to date with this info
Judges at the Seattle Immigration Court--the only court in WA State for non-detained hearings--are requiring that immigrants, witnesses, translators and attorneys appear IN PERSON for the upcoming hearings starting in October. No other court in the country is demanding this. /1
The Seattle Immigration Court also no longer has standing orders for covid-19, because the judges there cannot currently agree on a uniform rule for the court. So, there currently aren't any standing orders or guidance in place. That won't stop hearings from moving forward. /2
For immigrants who live in Yakima, Spokane, etc. it will take 3 to 6 hour drive each way to get to the court. Individuals who are unable to drive (unaccompanied minors/don't own a car, etc.) will have to ask someone else for a ride and be in close proximity for several hours. /3
- USCIS will accept renewal requests from applicants who had been granted DACA at any time in the past, but limit the renewal to one-year instead of two-years. /2
- USCIS will reject DACA renewal requests received more than 150 days before the current grant of DACA expires, and suggests that DACA recipients file their renewal request between 150 and 120 days before their current grant of DACA expires. /3
Years ago I was in court waiting to be called up for a quick, routine hearing. The immigration judge asked through the Court’s Spanish interpreter if I was waiting for my lawyer. I politely told him I was a lawyer. But this captures my instant thought at the time /1
At another hearing, a now-retired judge had just seen in the news that I had #DACA. He was flabbergasted by it. At the end of the hearing (he granted my client a green card) he said (in jest and in truth) he’d try to quickly conclude b4 DHS counsel decides to deport me instead /2
While representing a client in court I’m there to be their North Star. My own status usually isn’t talked about.
When we lose, I’m reminded of my dad’s deportation. I wasn’t in court when my dad got the news but wonder whether my client‘s initial reactions were similar to his /3
My #DACA prediction:
The Administration won't end DACA altogether. Rather, the Admin will amend the 2012 DACA memo & limit it to the truncated version we have now. As in, keep renewals, no new applications, no new advance parole. /1
DHS will then announce an increase of enforcement of “law already on the books” against those without DACA. DHS won’t say it’s against Dreamers outright, rather it’ll say that it’ll enforce “the law” against everyone, but clearly referring to Dreamers without DACA. /2
There are already heartbreaking stories of people within family units that are with and without DACA. This is a new dynamic to the old “mix status” family inequities that plague some immigrants. nytimes.com/2020/07/03/us/… /3
If you’re an employer and want to support DACA employees, here are 10 examples of how you can do so:
1. Provide mental health days. This is a stressful time and a lot of us are very fatigued. And if you could offer it as a paid day, all the better.
2. Invest in them by helping cover the $495.00 USCIS renewal fee.
3. Allow flexibility to take a very sudden day off. The DACA decision is due any day now, and it’s going to be an emotional day regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.