In Centro Legal v. EOIR, Sidley represented Centro Legal De La Raza, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Tahirih Justice Center, and Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services in a challenge to a new regulation that took effect in January during the last week of the Trump administration. Sidley co-counseled the case with Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus and Lakin & Wille LLP. The regulation at issue stripped away essential procedural protections for people challenging deportation orders in Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. The regulation was part of a barrage of new rules that targeted the immigrant community this past December and January. After a hearing on March 9, Judge Illston in the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of California issued a 73-page order granting plaintiffs’ motion to enjoin the regulation, ordering a nationwide injunction, and finding in plaintiffs’ favor on every substantive issue.
Stephen Chang (associate, San Francisco) argued the motion before Judge Illston, together with co-counsel Jenny Zhao of the Asian Law Caucus. The team was led by Sidley partners Scott Nonaka and Irene Yang along with counsel Kelly Huggins and associate Naomi Igra. Associates Mike McGuinness and Seferina Berch also contributed to the winning briefs.
