immigration law

According to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, as of late 2023, the U.S. immigration court system faced a backlog of more than 3 million pending cases. This number has more than doubled since 2019 and continues to grow, placing immense pressure on the system. Immigration judges are currently being asked to handle an average of 4,500 cases each and so struggle to manage their caseloads effectively. This backlog includes a mix of individuals seeking asylum, appealing deportation orders, or addressing other immigration-related issues. To get some insight into the challenges the system faces we talk with a retired Immigration Judge who spent 24 years hearing cases.

The Lee County Legal Aid Society is a private nonprofit that’s been providing no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of Lee County since 1967. And starting last year, they’ve expanded their efforts to assist immigrant children – including those who have been abandoned, entered the country alone, or are victims of human trafficking – establish a pathway to legal citizenship. We talk to the organization’s Executive Director, and one of their staff attorneys who is leading this immigration work, to learn more.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Friday urged a federal judge to reject an attempt to block part of a new state law targeting people who transport undocumented immigrants into the state.

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is mounting a production of Pulitzer-winning playwright Martyna Majok’s drama “Sanctuary City” exploring friendship and the plight of DACA DREAMers.

After filing a constitutional challenge last month, attorneys for migrants and advocates Tuesday asked a federal judge for a preliminary injunction against a new Florida law that makes it a felony to transport into the state people who enter the country illegally.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has touted the laws as strictest in the country. Critics says the it will hurt the economy

Activities across Florida Thursday as part of a nationwide general strike among Latinos and their allies dubbed “Un Día Sin Inmigrantes” — A Day Without Immigrants — included a large protest march through downtown Fort Myers streets and in Orlando.

A national advisory warning immigrants on travel to Florida has been issued by The Florida Immigrant Coalition for what the group said was unsafe conditions for immigrants and their loved ones.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he expects more flights to transport undocumented immigrants to out-of-state “sanctuary” communities, as questions swirl around two flights last week that sent about 50 people from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a series of actions, Sept. 28, aimed at mitigating impacts of migrants seeking entry into the U.S. from the Southern border being resettled in the sunshine state. We’ll take a closer look at the situation with Fort Myers-based immigration attorney Indera DeMine and FGCU Law Professor and attorney Pamella Seay, whose expertise includes immigration and constitutional law.