The Supreme Court announced that it will hear several controversial and highly political cases during its upcoming term. These cases include abortion rights, employment rights for LGBTQ persons, immigration rights under “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and gun rights/gun control. In weighing the outcomes on these issues, the Supreme Court may vote along political party lines. Trump’s nominations and appointment of Justices Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the conservative block may determine the fate of these issues. The justices will hear a Louisiana abortion case as the first case among the recent conservative abortion restriction cases—in the early 2020 term. Among the many recent conservative/restrictive abortion laws passed, it will be the first test abortion test case to be decided with the all new majority of Supreme Court conservative justices appointed by Trump. The Louisiana law would require that a doctor performing an abortion have admitting privileges to a … [Read more...] about SCOTUS May End Abortion, DACA and LGBTQ Rights
immigration
Federal Judges Show Human Side: A Tale of Two Judges
Court watchers and other interested persons are getting a close look inside a Virginia federal court room on how judges act. Judge T. S. Ellis, III presiding over the Paul Manafort trial has a style all his own. He has been testy with the prosecution lawyers since day one. Real court drama is often stranger than fiction. Judges are human—as Judge Ellis stated on Thursday “this robe doesn’t make me anything other than human.” Although, it appears as if the prosecution team and Judge Ellis are in a constant dog fight. Across the river in Washington, D.C. federal district Judge Emmet Sullivan is trying a different type of case. Judges’ personalities, quirks, demeanors, tempers, court room styles vary from as many ways as there are judges. Judge Ellis appears to currently focus his harsh attention and comments on the prosecution lawyers. He accused the prosecution team of crying or at least having water in their eyes, frowning, looking down (presumably at notes) and taking too long … [Read more...] about Federal Judges Show Human Side: A Tale of Two Judges
Here’s How to Fix DACA and Gun Laws
In a significant blow to the Trump Administration, the Supreme Court denied, without comment, the administration’s request to leapfrog ahead the system to immediately appeal to the Supreme Court an adverse California federal court ruling on “DACA”- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Previously, a California federal judge denied the Trump administration’s order to immediately end DACA—stating that the Administration was enjoined nationwide from ending it. It thereby ensured that almost 700,000 DREAMers may continue to remain in the country—at least for a while longer. DACA is the program established by President Obama in 2012 which protects against deportation some of those who entered the country illegally as children. Trump sought to end the program in March, 2018. The current status of the case, in light of the court’s ruling, is the Trump administration must now go through the normal court route and appeal the ruling to the 9th circuit, which hears appeals from … [Read more...] about Here’s How to Fix DACA and Gun Laws
Lawyers Sue Heartless Trump on DACA
The law can be used for good or bad. And when it’s used for good, I have no greater feeling as a lawyer. Today was one of those good days. The District of Columbia joined 15 states to sue the federal government, Donald Trump as President, Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Trump’s decision on ending DACA. Litigation is my life and one that I’m proud of. And I am so proud today that lawyers in New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia took a stand for DACA in fighting for the lives of those young undocumented “Americans” who came here as children before the age of 16 and know no other country except the U.S. The lawsuit filed in federal court in New York alleges that Donald Trump’s decision to end DACA is motivated by ill will; will cause a loss of revenue for these states, lower employment, split up families and … [Read more...] about Lawyers Sue Heartless Trump on DACA
DACA and The Devil Living Inside the White House
Donald Trump proclaimed Sunday, September 3, 2017 as National Day of Prayer. And on that same day, he announced that he intends to end DACA with a 6-month delay period of time. DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It is the executive order that President Obama signed in June, 2012 which protected and allowed undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to be granted work permits. It does not cover all young undocumented immigrants brought here, as it has a cut-off age and other requirements. 800,000 undocumented young persons are believed to be covered under DACA. Trump had earlier stated that he had a “great heart” in terms of DACA and those young persons covered under it. On Sunday’s National Day of Prayer, he showed where his real great heart lay. He announced ending DACA on the same day he asked people to pray. Over 91% of individuals under DACA are employed or attending school. They are mostly law-abiding individuals. They are our … [Read more...] about DACA and The Devil Living Inside the White House
The Trump Era and Justice for People of Color
President Elect Donald Trump has nominated Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as his pick for Attorney General of the U.S. Sessions is a lightning bolt for anything related to civil rights and justice for people of color. Much of the progress seen in the Eric Holder era and now Loretta Lynch era may likely soon be erased with a much darker side taking its place. The prior history of Sessions speaking out in support of the Klu Klux Klan (“KKK”) in the past years, is troubling for civil rights advancement. Some of the areas at risk are police consent decrees, federal police lawsuits for excessive force and death of unarmed individuals, immigration legislation deferring deportation of “Dreamers”, reduction of mandatory minimums, Voting Rights legislation, federal lawsuits opposing voter disenfranchisement and the Civil rights Division, itself. Sessions favors increasing the prison population. Former Attorney General Eric Holder favored decreasing the prison population by reducing … [Read more...] about The Trump Era and Justice for People of Color