When the President, as head of the executive branch, takes an action to implement and enforce the laws passed by Congress, we sometimes call it an ‘executive action. In such instances, the President delegates that power to the appropriate executive agencies; in the context of immigration, the relevant agencies and offices are U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General. Decisions about how to enforce Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) are referred to as “prosecutorial discretion”, which is what it sounds like: the use of discretion to prosecute the laws.
Prosecutorial discretion
The manner in which ICE carries out its duties is influenced by policy memorandum issued by its Director. Over the years, there have been numerous memos relating to how ICE should exercise its prosecutorial discretion. For instance, on whom should ICE focus its investigations? Who should ICE detain or allow to be admitted? Against whom should they initiate removal proceedings? Against whom should they seek removal orders?
This course, led by immigration attorney Matthew Blaisdell, seeks to provide attorneys with an understanding of the different points in the enforcement process at which they may advocate that ICE exercise its discretion in a favorable manner, as well as provide an idea of how a new President may take executive action to change the manner in which ICE exercises its discretion.
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the current policies governing ICE prosecutorial discretion
Define what information an attorney should gather in order to prepare a request to
Address how attorneys may utilize prosecutorial discretion policies to become better advocates
Matthew Blaisdell is an attorney in Brooklyn, New York, with a full concentration in immigration law. He is the former Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Consumer Protection and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and currently serves on its Ethics Committee. He frequently writes and presents on these topics, and he has provided testimony to several cities considering legislation to protect immigrant consumers.
He also regularly provides trainings and lectures on topics related to practice management, prosecutorial discretion and advocating before various government agencies, immigration legislation and policies, constitutional issues, immigration options for youth and unaccompanied minors, LGBTQ immigration issues, immigration consequences of criminal activity, humanitarian forms of relief, and employment-based visas.
He received his juris doctor, as well as an LL.M in environmental law, from Pace Law School, and is a graduate of the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI).
This was very good content!!!
Very comprehensive
Top notch in every sense.
Excellent course.
Fantastic! Matthew Blaisdell is great!
Good introductory course-dated.
thank you
Matthew Blaisdell's presentation was unusually good, I thought, and clear and full of information
Excellent. Kept politics out of it. To the point concise and informative .
The presenter is obviously a brilliant attorney who is extremely adept at transferring his knowledge both orally and in writing to beginners in his area of practice.. He is without a doubt the finest CLE instructor I've come across in over 20 years of practice. I hope Lawline is able to to convince Matthew to do more presentations.
Excellent course. The instructor knew his topic and presented it well.
Very well done!
Excellent speaker, written materials and presentation. A real pleasure to listen to!
very good, very relevant
I enjoy each of these courses thoroughly.
Very effective and practical presentation of a specific topic of immigration law not covered in other immigration materials. Very knowledgeable speaker. only wish he had spent more time on the practical tips which were very informative .
Well done, recommend.
Great. Esp practice tips
This particular attorney does a great job.
Very helpful, including the most recent changes and pending issues. 100%+
This was excellent! I know I will utilize this information in a beneficial manner.
Excellent. I listened on my phone. Perfect
Knowledgeable, experienced hands-on presenter.
A well-organized, interesting, thoughtful, and thorough program.
Really knowledgeable lecturer. GREAT slides and practice tips. This was really useful.