Aaron Hall
@immlawachall.bsky.social
Immigration lawyer • Colorado • Joseph & Hall
Nuggets basketball • #CUBuffs • Opinions/bad posts mine alone
Nuggets basketball • #CUBuffs • Opinions/bad posts mine alone
Pinned
Aaron Hall
@immlawachall.bsky.social
· Jan 27
What is going on in the nation's immigration courts right now is an absolute scandal.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
They did it again. This time they found a plain reading of the INA that everyone just missed for 25 years, a plain reading that renders an entire clause in §212(h) completely superfluous incidentally.
It's really convenient that the BIA keeps finding mistakes in old cases where previous panels ignored the _only possible reading_ of the statute, which happens to conform to the present Board's political goals and marching orders.
September 17, 2026 at 6:43 PM
They did it again. This time they found a plain reading of the INA that everyone just missed for 25 years, a plain reading that renders an entire clause in §212(h) completely superfluous incidentally.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
Taxpayers got a bill for $12,225 this morning, in the form of attorney fees against the government for the unlawful detention of two (2) noncitizens in Colorado.
September 17, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Taxpayers got a bill for $12,225 this morning, in the form of attorney fees against the government for the unlawful detention of two (2) noncitizens in Colorado.
DHS General Counsel, for some reason, just wrote an open letter to immigration lawyers. Can’t really say I’d recommend reading it.
September 17, 2026 at 1:55 AM
DHS General Counsel, for some reason, just wrote an open letter to immigration lawyers. Can’t really say I’d recommend reading it.
Not sure I can think of an event whose name conveyed so much…
Immigration attorneys, the Children's Due Process Project matches kids in ORR custody with pro bono counsel who can file habeas petitions. Still more children than attorneys.
Becky Wolozin explains how it works, Friday 1pm ET.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/habeas-for...
Becky Wolozin explains how it works, Friday 1pm ET.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/habeas-for...
Habeas for Children: Learn About an Effective New Strategy to Free Kids from Prolonged Detention
EVENT: Join me Friday, Sept 18 at 1:00 PM Eastern for a live conversation with Jill Williams (Acacia Center for Justice) & Becky Wolozin (National Center for Youth Law) about habeas for children.
austinkocher.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Not sure I can think of an event whose name conveyed so much…
If anyone ever does an accounting of total the cost of unlawful detention, the cost of DHS lawyers and immigration judges handling their cases, the cost of US Atty’s and district court judges on the habeas cases, and the cost of judges’ orders that the gov’t pay the noncitizen attorney’s fees… whew
I unfortunately don't have time to track this, but one thing to think about is the bill that we as taxpayers are footing to attorneys whose clients the government is unlawfully detaining in immigration custody despite a mountain of rulings saying that's wrong. Here's one from today for almost $4,300
![IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act [#21] is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner is awarded a total of $4,265.13 in in
fees and costs, to be paid by Respondents within 30 days of this Order.
Dated: September 8, 2026 BY THE COURT:
Kathryn A. Starnella
United States Magistrate Judge](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:63qzp63fz5q45anhnxhoxhl5/bafkreiccfn3xkebn4tks6nu5r6vbu4a32ogdv4kwcqp5eqgwg5sq4nbw2a)
September 14, 2026 at 10:45 PM
If anyone ever does an accounting of total the cost of unlawful detention, the cost of DHS lawyers and immigration judges handling their cases, the cost of US Atty’s and district court judges on the habeas cases, and the cost of judges’ orders that the gov’t pay the noncitizen attorney’s fees… whew
Reposted by Aaron Hall
BREAKING: In August, *every single one* of the 2,646 refugees admitted in the U.S. were white South Africans.
In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 12,901 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else.
For reference, the U.S. admitted 100,060 refugees in 2024.
In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 12,901 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else.
For reference, the U.S. admitted 100,060 refugees in 2024.
September 10, 2026 at 1:20 PM
BREAKING: In August, *every single one* of the 2,646 refugees admitted in the U.S. were white South Africans.
In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 12,901 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else.
For reference, the U.S. admitted 100,060 refugees in 2024.
In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 12,901 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else.
For reference, the U.S. admitted 100,060 refugees in 2024.
USCIS, the same agency playing Inspector Javert in scouring applications from decades ago for any little reason to deny status and put people into the removal machine, says it’ll make an announcement at “the appropriate time” rather than the time explicitly directed by Congress. Lawless.
September 9, 2026 at 11:11 PM
USCIS, the same agency playing Inspector Javert in scouring applications from decades ago for any little reason to deny status and put people into the removal machine, says it’ll make an announcement at “the appropriate time” rather than the time explicitly directed by Congress. Lawless.
By regulation, BIA precedent decisions are binding on adjudicators including immigration judges and DHS (including USCIS).
September 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
By regulation, BIA precedent decisions are binding on adjudicators including immigration judges and DHS (including USCIS).
Peruvians and Chileans battling the never-ending pisco war never saw Canada coming.
Trump also take Canadian beer and wine and vermouth and cider and pisco and brandy and bourbon and rum and vodka and liqueurs and cordials and bitters and tequila and mezcal in quantities under 4 liters.
/fairly sure the latter do not exist but they are included in the ban for some reason.
/fairly sure the latter do not exist but they are included in the ban for some reason.
September 9, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Peruvians and Chileans battling the never-ending pisco war never saw Canada coming.
The BIA did something terrible today. [pin post]
September 8, 2026 at 11:01 PM
The BIA did something terrible today. [pin post]
Reposted by Aaron Hall
I'm an immigration historian. We lack the lexicon to describe this evil. "Deportation" generally means being repatriated to the country you came from. Although there have been 3rd country removals in US history, they are rare, but now ramping up. Also "deportation" means when you're sent back, 1/
Deportees Sent to Liberia Recount Harrowing Details of U.S. Expulsion and Treatment by ICE (Gift Article)
Ten deportees said they experienced or witnessed what they called abusive or violent treatment by ICE. They spent months in detention, they said, before being sent to nations where they had no ties.
www.nytimes.com
August 31, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I'm an immigration historian. We lack the lexicon to describe this evil. "Deportation" generally means being repatriated to the country you came from. Although there have been 3rd country removals in US history, they are rare, but now ramping up. Also "deportation" means when you're sent back, 1/
Congress enacted laws on deportations. It also enacted laws that allow some without status (or have status ripped away) to gain status through family-based petitions, relief in immigration court, etc. The agencies' role is as much to enforce and facilitate *those* laws as the ones on deportations.
We are a broken nation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were living and working legally, paying taxes, and contributing. Haiti remains wholly unsafe.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
August 28, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Congress enacted laws on deportations. It also enacted laws that allow some without status (or have status ripped away) to gain status through family-based petitions, relief in immigration court, etc. The agencies' role is as much to enforce and facilitate *those* laws as the ones on deportations.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
This isn't even accurate. Termination of TPS doesn't mean people are present illegally. It just means TPS is terminated. There are lots of people with pending cases for permanent residence or asylum (and probably some who still have valid nonimmigrant status though I would doubt it's very many).
We are a broken nation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were living and working legally, paying taxes, and contributing. Haiti remains wholly unsafe.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
August 28, 2026 at 12:25 PM
This isn't even accurate. Termination of TPS doesn't mean people are present illegally. It just means TPS is terminated. There are lots of people with pending cases for permanent residence or asylum (and probably some who still have valid nonimmigrant status though I would doubt it's very many).
Reposted by Aaron Hall
We are a broken nation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were living and working legally, paying taxes, and contributing. Haiti remains wholly unsafe.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
August 28, 2026 at 1:00 AM
We are a broken nation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were living and working legally, paying taxes, and contributing. Haiti remains wholly unsafe.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
"This tyranny could have been an email"-edition of fascism.
BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: DHS legal opinion justifying ICE entering homes without a judicial warrant is nothing more than an email written by ICE Deputy Principal Legal Advisor Adam Loiacono, and DHS refuses to release it. www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: DHS Refuses to Release Email Justifying Warrantless Entry by ICE
I sued to obtain the General Counsel Memo justifying ICE entering homes without judicial warrants. Turns out it’s not a memo at all - it’s an email - and they’ve wrongly redacted it.
www.muellershewrote.com
August 25, 2026 at 9:12 PM
"This tyranny could have been an email"-edition of fascism.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
As a veteran myself, it's deeply offensive that they would go after military families while we're in a time of war -- or any time. Whatever you believe about foreign policy, it's a diverse cross section of America's working class that puts on the uniform to prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Parents and spouses of people in the military have generally been shielded from deportation under bipartisan consensus for decades. But the AP found they’re now routinely being detained … even as the military continues to recruit by advertising immigration benefits for enlistees’ families.”
“More than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty service members have been detained since Trump took office for a second term, and at least six have been deported and one self-deported, the AP found in the first accounting of such detentions, which the government does not track.”
August 24, 2026 at 7:40 PM
As a veteran myself, it's deeply offensive that they would go after military families while we're in a time of war -- or any time. Whatever you believe about foreign policy, it's a diverse cross section of America's working class that puts on the uniform to prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice.
2021: DHS/VA issue joint announcement on our responsibility to those who serve on our behalf including making sure their immediate families are guaranteed a place in the country they'd been willing to die to defend.
2026: F*** those vets.
www.dhs.gov/archive/news...
2026: F*** those vets.
www.dhs.gov/archive/news...
August 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM
2021: DHS/VA issue joint announcement on our responsibility to those who serve on our behalf including making sure their immediate families are guaranteed a place in the country they'd been willing to die to defend.
2026: F*** those vets.
www.dhs.gov/archive/news...
2026: F*** those vets.
www.dhs.gov/archive/news...
Reposted by Aaron Hall
BREAKING: A federal court struck down the Trump administration's nationality-based ban on immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries.
We’re proud to bring this case with partners on behalf of
@cliniclegal.bsky.social, @africansus.bsky.social, and impacted individuals.
We’re proud to bring this case with partners on behalf of
@cliniclegal.bsky.social, @africansus.bsky.social, and impacted individuals.
Judge Strikes Down Trump’s 75-Country Visa Ban
The ruling from the Southern District of New York found that the policy went beyond Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s legal authority.
www.nytimes.com
August 22, 2026 at 2:29 AM
BREAKING: A federal court struck down the Trump administration's nationality-based ban on immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries.
We’re proud to bring this case with partners on behalf of
@cliniclegal.bsky.social, @africansus.bsky.social, and impacted individuals.
We’re proud to bring this case with partners on behalf of
@cliniclegal.bsky.social, @africansus.bsky.social, and impacted individuals.
Reposted by Aaron Hall
"Trump officials have refused to process cases for approximately 55,000 Diversity Visas... Instead of trying again to change or abolish the category through legislation, officials have barred anyone from entering or adjusting status as a Diversity Visa winner." www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
Trump Officials Now Restricting All Legal Immigration Categories
Recent immigration policies of the Trump administration affect American citizens sponsoring family members and employers seeking workers as the economy has slowed down.
www.forbes.com
August 18, 2026 at 8:38 PM
"Trump officials have refused to process cases for approximately 55,000 Diversity Visas... Instead of trying again to change or abolish the category through legislation, officials have barred anyone from entering or adjusting status as a Diversity Visa winner." www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
BIA finds statute does not provide exception to limit on motions to reopen where there was ineffective assistance of counsel on prior motions. Somehow managed to draft this without even a mention of the Fifth Amendment.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
August 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM
BIA finds statute does not provide exception to limit on motions to reopen where there was ineffective assistance of counsel on prior motions. Somehow managed to draft this without even a mention of the Fifth Amendment.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
Reposted by Aaron Hall
There were no drugs on the boats. Survivors were released without charges.
If a US intelligence agency actually did this amateur-hour op, it raises a huge question:
HOW FAULTY was the intel used to target the 221 PEOPLE BLOWN UP aboard boats since last September?
If a US intelligence agency actually did this amateur-hour op, it raises a huge question:
HOW FAULTY was the intel used to target the 221 PEOPLE BLOWN UP aboard boats since last September?
Covert CIA program said to be behind mysterious attacks on Galápagos boats
A surveillance plane flew from El Salvador toward the fishing boats before drones attacked, flight data shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 13, 2026 at 7:11 PM
There were no drugs on the boats. Survivors were released without charges.
If a US intelligence agency actually did this amateur-hour op, it raises a huge question:
HOW FAULTY was the intel used to target the 221 PEOPLE BLOWN UP aboard boats since last September?
If a US intelligence agency actually did this amateur-hour op, it raises a huge question:
HOW FAULTY was the intel used to target the 221 PEOPLE BLOWN UP aboard boats since last September?
Board of Immigration Appeals: We, the BIA, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, and not any judge in Georgia, provide the authoritative interpretation on what what constitutes a scrivener's error in Georgia state court proceedings under GA Code § 17-1-3.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov
August 12, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Board of Immigration Appeals: We, the BIA, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, and not any judge in Georgia, provide the authoritative interpretation on what what constitutes a scrivener's error in Georgia state court proceedings under GA Code § 17-1-3.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
Obviously the most important part of this is the human suffering needlessly inflicted.
But the pure wastefulness of detaining an adjustment of status applicant or someone else in the midst of a process toward legal status is an absolute scandal as well.
But the pure wastefulness of detaining an adjustment of status applicant or someone else in the midst of a process toward legal status is an absolute scandal as well.
For @newrepublic.com I wrote about ICE's recent campaign of airport arrests, and the intentional vagueness about who is or isn't potentially subject to detention as part of the administration's broader narrative campaign of fear, intended to drive immigrants from public life
ICE’s Airport Crackdowns Are Designed to Spread Fear
The agency is snatching and grabbing travelers without any regard for their immigration status—and with no effort to be transparent about what they’re up to.
newrepublic.com
August 12, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Obviously the most important part of this is the human suffering needlessly inflicted.
But the pure wastefulness of detaining an adjustment of status applicant or someone else in the midst of a process toward legal status is an absolute scandal as well.
But the pure wastefulness of detaining an adjustment of status applicant or someone else in the midst of a process toward legal status is an absolute scandal as well.