With the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court, many legal experts are worried about the effect of his views on immigration rulings. The Supreme Court has long been divided on this issue and has made rulings both in favor of the rights of undocumented immigrants and to allow harsh enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Kavanaugh’s presence on the Supreme Court is likely to reinforce Trump policies and attitudes toward immigrants. This could result in even greater difficulties for immigrant families in the Orlando area.

A Conservative Shift for the Supreme Court

Kavanaugh replaces Anthony Kennedy, a Reagan appointee who was seen as a moderating force on the Supreme Court despite his conservative leanings. Immigration advocates fear that Kavanaugh will take a harder line on issues related to undocumented immigrants and deportations, making it even more difficult for these individuals and families to resolve their immigration status and remain in the U.S. legally.

First Immigration Case for Kavanaugh

In his first week on the job, Justice Brett Kavanaugh has already weighed in on a case affecting immigration. The case involved the length of time allowable between an immigrant’s release from prison and his or her detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal agencies.

• Advocates for immigrants in the U.S. argued that the law requires ICE to detain individuals immediately after their release from prison or to refrain from doing so. This would prevent federal officials from detaining immigrants who have been law-abiding and may have started rebuilding their lives after paying their debt to society.
• The more conservative members of the Supreme Court, however, expressed their belief that it was not reasonable and practical to expect ICE and other federal agencies to pick up all immigrants at the time of their release from prison.

The Supreme Court appears to be split on this case along ideological lines, with the five conservative members of the court opposed to enforcing immediate detention and the four liberal court members in favor of this ruling. No final ruling has been issued.

The Value of a Qualified Orlando Immigration Lawyer

For individuals worried about adverse ICE actions against their families or themselves, consulting with an expert Orlando immigration lawyer can be a good first step toward resolving issues with residency status and visas. Your attorney can provide you with the best options for dealing with past criminal offenses and other issues that could affect your chance of obtaining permanent legal residency in the U.S.

If you need a qualified and knowledgeable Orlando immigration lawyer, Pozo Goldstein can provide the representation you need to resolve your issues quickly and in the best way possible. Call us today at 407-956-4359 to schedule a free consultation in our Orlando office. We look forward to the chance to work with you.