BREAKING NEWS: Deportation Order for Romulo Avelica is Vacated by Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

On Thursday afternoon, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) vacated the deportation order for Romulo Avelica, the LA father of four US citizen daughters who was arrested February 28 while dropping his daughters off in school. This is an important victory for the case of Mr. Avelica, as the Board rejected an earlier ruling which had originally upheld a March 27, 2014 removal order. Now, the case has been returned to an immigration judge to consider whether or not Mr. Avelica is eligible for the relief he previously sought, which can be available for individuals who have lived for an extended period of time in the United States and have U.S. citizen family members who would suffer severe hardship in the case of a deportation.

Lawsuit Filed Against LA Sheriff Jim McDonnell: Seeks Disclosure of Collusion with Trump Administration

On Thursday evening, the Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West (USWW) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles Sheriff Jim McDonnell to compel disclosure of information about the Sheriff’s interactions with the Trump administration about SB-54 (“Values Act,” Sen. de León). During an evening panel discussion hosted by Zocalo Public Square, entitled “What Does Trump Mean for Immigrant LA?,” the Sheriff was physically “served” with the lawsuit by janitors and day laborers.

NDLON Suggests Questions for Sheriff McDonnell During Zocalo Public Square discussion on Trump’s impact on “Immigrant LA”

On Wednesday evening, Zocalo Public Square will host a panel discussion titled “What Does Trump Mean for Immigrant LA?” The panel will be moderated by Jennifer Medina, NY Times National Correspondent, and will include Los Angeles Times immigration reporter Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, World Trade Center Los Angeles president Stephen Cheung, and director of USC’s Tomás Rivera Policy Institute Roberto Suro. The panel features no immigrants, although event planners have stated that questions from the audience will be granted.

Breaking: Romulo Avelica Granted Emergency Stay of Removal From Board of Immigration Appeals

More than five months after ICE arrested Romulo Avelica while he was dropping his daughters off at school on February 28, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) today granted an emergency stay of removal, preventing his deportation while the BIA reviews his case. The Ninth Circuit had stayed his deportation from the date of his arrest, but that stay was due to expire today.

Delegation for Romulo Avelica to Demand His Release from ICE & Request Review of Case by Board of Immigration Appeals

More than five months after ICE arrested Romulo Avelica while he was dropping his daughters off at school, ICE has said that it will review his stay request on Monday, August 7th, and is again threatening to deport him imminently. Mr. Avelica’s lawyers, alongside a delegation of clergy, educators, students, families and elected officials, will provide an update on his case and demand that ICE stay his deportation, release him from detention, and request that the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) also review his case.

NDLON Responds to AG Sessions’ attacks against sanctuary cities

On Tuesday afternoon, the Trump administration issued a new policy for local governments stating that they are required to “give federal officials advance notice when illegal immigrants are about to be released from custody and allow immigration agents access to local jails” or risk losing federal grants. The new policy specifically applies to cities that receive funds from the “Byrne Justice Assistance grant program.

Los Angeles Coalition for Universal Representation Celebrates City Council’s Endorsement of La Justice Fund

Today, the LA City Council voted overwhelmingly (11-1) in support of the LA Justice Fund, a public-private partnership to provide deportation defense for immigrants facing the threat of removal. The City Council approved $2 million for the first two years of the program, to complement $3 million from the County and $5 million from private foundations.