legal affairs
Families of killed men file first U.S. federal lawsuit over drug boat strikes
The case filed in Massachusetts is the first lawsuit over the strikes to land in a U.S. federal court since the Trump administration launched a campaign to target vessels off the coast of Venezuela.
U.S. military members fear personal legal blowback tied to boat strikes
Staff officers and at least one drone pilot have sought advice from outside groups over legal concerns about their own involvement — or potential involvement — in the strikes against suspected drug boats.
ICE tried to send one immigrant to a country he never lived in. Then he lawyered up.
Roman Surovtsev is like many others who were detained at their regularly scheduled ICE check-ins. What makes his case different is that his wife has marshalled a team of lawyers on his behalf.
A fourth judge has blocked a Trump executive order targeting elite law firms
The ruling, involving the firm Susman Godfrey, marks the fourth time out of four that a federal judge has permanently blocked one of Trump's executive orders seeking to punish an elite law firm.
Trump’s deals with law firms are like deals ‘made with a gun to the head,’ lawyers say
The White House said it's reached deals with nine law firms to provide about $1 billion in pro bono services. But the details of those agreements remain murky.
Democrats seek to insulate security for judges from executive branch politics
Recent critiques of judges from the Trump administration have prompted fears the Marshals could be caught in the middle of a power struggle and forced to yank security for judges.
Judge says Trump administration violated court order on third-country deportations
The Department of Homeland Security had earlier said eight people on a flight out of the U.S. had been convicted of crimes in the United States and that they couldn't be brought back.
DOJ charges New Jersey congresswoman with assault over immigration facility tussle
Democrats have denounced the charges as politically motivated and an effort by the Trump administration to intimidate members of Congress and chill oversight.
Federal judge blocks Trump’s takeover of U.S. Institute of Peace
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled the USIP president and board members were unlawfully fired by President Trump and should be reinstated.
Trump DOJ changes to civil rights division spark mass exodus of attorneys
Current and former officials say the current effort amounts to the dismantling of the civil rights division and its traditional mission.
Race to lead D.C. lawyers’ association grows heated amid attacks on law firms
More than 30,000 people have already voted in the election for the president of the D.C. Bar Association, more than triple the previous record set in 1990.
As Trump aims to deport millions, one pathway to legal status got bigger
A Biden-era rule eases the path for workers to be sponsored for U.S. permanent residency, an attractive option for those in horse-racing looking for a competitive edge.
After a scathing rebuke, judge grants DOJ an extension in deportation case
A federal judge gave the Trump administration another week to answer detailed questions about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man whose illegal deportation has raised concerns about due process.
Trump fires more immigration judges even as he aims to increase deportations
Getting rid of judges adds to criticism of the Trump administration for not giving migrants or noncitizens enough due process before they're deported.
Judge demands to know if White House is helping return wrongly deported Maryland man
The hearing is the first about Abrego Garcia's case since El Salvador's president told reporters he is not going to "smuggle a terrorist into the United States."
Trump moves to speed up asylum cases without court hearings
The memo could result in immigration judges deciding someone is not eligible for asylum without a hearing, and based solely on a lengthy and complex asylum request form.
Bipartisan senators rebuke White House move to end legal aid for unaccompanied minors
The letter obtained by NPR marks a rare bipartisan critique from Capitol Hill of the administration's immigration policy.
