Immigration groups sue Trump administration for keeping courts open during pandemic

Immigration lawyers are suing the Department of Justice EOIR over its refusal to close immigration courts during the coronavirus public health crisis. In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for DC on Monday (to be heard by Judge Carl J. Nichols), the groups said the failure to suspend immigration hearings amid the pandemic puts immigrants, their attorneys, and government personnel at risk.

“EOIR is effectively forcing attorneys to choose between adequately representing their clients and jeopardizing their health; EOIR is also forcing detained immigrants to choose between their health and safety and their statutory, regulatory, and due process rights,” the groups said, in The Hill.

They urged the court to block the agency from holding in-person hearings for the duration of the public health crisis.

MHC