Immigration courts remained open Wednesday, even as much of the government shut down. Unlike previous shutdowns, they are continuing to handle cases of immigrants outside of detention centers.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review, which operates immigration courts, listed all courts as open as of Wednesday. The American Immigration Lawyers Association alerted its members Wednesday morning that cases for immigrants not held in detention centers are proceeding.
“Court seems to be moving forward as quickly as possible,” said Kerry McGuire, a Minneapolis-based senior attorney for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.