Case Rounds: Notes from 7/1/2025
Introduction
Weekly Legal & Advocacy Collaboration Session
These weekly meetings are designed to support cross-organizational collaboration, build shared legal knowledge, and strengthen collective advocacy efforts.
Format and Participation Guidelines:
Participation is open to legal and advocacy professionals.
Speaking order is based on arrival time unless you indicate a time constraint and need to speak early.
Everyone shares once before anyone shares twice. Please begin by offering a question, update, or insight, and engage with responses from others.
Before speaking, please introduce yourself and the organization or role you represent.
No client-specific discussion. We do not provide individual legal advice or discuss identifiable case details. All conversation is general and practice-based.
Not open to DHS or DOJ (including DVT) personnel or affiliates.
This is a confidential, collaborative space for mutual learning, skill-building, and issue-spotting across Vermont’s immigration legal and advocacy ecosystem.
AI Note-Taking & Information Sharing
We use AI-assisted tools (Microsoft Copilot) to generate anonymized summaries of key insights and systemic trends.
No personal or client information is recorded.
Notes are securely stored and shared with participants upon request.
The goal is to reduce redundancy, track evolving best practices, and ensure access for colleagues who cannot attend in real time.
Please let us know if you prefer your contributions not be summarized in shared notes.
Highlights
Key Notes & Takeaways
There is ongoing confusion and concern about asylum procedures for minors, especially those in removal proceedings versus those filing affirmatively, and the impact of unaccompanied minor status on jurisdiction and filing deadlines. Community experience suggests that unaccompanied minors, even in removal proceedings, may have their cases kicked back to USCIS if status is proven, and supporting documentation is critical.
For master calendar hearings, it is common for attorneys to request continuance or administrative closure if NTA/EROP documentation is incomplete, especially when seeking termination based on pending relief. Judges may require proof of pending or approved applications before granting termination. Caution with applicant-caused delays resulting from continuance requests.
Interpreters are generally available at Massachusetts immigration court master calendar hearings, but not always automatically; if an interpreter is not present, this can be grounds for a continuance. Attorneys often waive interpretation for masters and bond hearings where no testimony will be taken.
Community accompaniment to biometrics or immigration appointments is seen as a protective measure, especially in the current climate of increased enforcement and uncertainty. There is anecdotal evidence that group presence can help, but no guarantee of safety. Document what you perceived in chronological order using your five sense in a safe place.
There is widespread concern about the end of deferred action for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) applicants and the risk of detention at biometrics appointments, especially for those over 18. No confirmed cases of detention for minors under 18 in Vermont, but risk remains for older applicants.
Asylum interviews are being scheduled rapidly under a "last in, first out" policy, with reports of blanket denials at the first stage and the need to prepare for de novo review in immigration court. Strong documentation, including country conditions and expert reports, is recommended.
There is a need for clear, accessible legal education for community members about what to expect at USCIS interviews, biometrics, and in the event of ICE stops or raids. Community groups are providing accompaniment and support, but legal representation is limited to clients. VAAP can curate existing resources on point for more accessible reference.
4A Know Your Rights guidance remains unchanged: everyone has the right to remain silent, to ask if they are free to leave, to request an attorney, and to refuse searches. However, ICE and CBP are frequently violating these rights, and individuals must weigh the risks of asserting them versus cooperating. Documentation and community support are important.
People with prior removal orders or criminal convictions are at highest risk of rapid deportation if detained; those with pending relief or no criminal history still face risk of detention but have more options to fight their case.
There is a move toward creating a centralized intake and response system for urgent detained cases in Vermont, with a dedicated intake coordinator and clear points of contact for community groups.
Action Steps & Guidance
When representing minors in removal proceedings, gather and submit documentation proving unaccompanied status to support jurisdictional arguments and filing with USCIS.
At master calendar hearings, request both termination and, in the alternative, administrative closure if documentation is pending; be prepared to provide proof of pending applications at a later date.
For clients at risk of detention (especially SIJ applicants over 18), consider community accompaniment to biometrics and appointments, and have emergency contacts and legal support ready. Community groups should continue to provide accompaniment and support, but legal representation at interviews or appointments is limited to clients of VAAP.
For asylum cases, prepare robust documentation, including expert reports and country conditions, and anticipate the need for relitigation under de novo review at the immigration court.
In the event of ICE stops or raids, individuals should know their rights but also understand that rights may be violated; document all interactions, avoid escalation, and seek legal support as soon as possible.
For those with prior removal orders or criminal convictions, take extra precautions when traveling and have legal and community support plans in place.
Community organizations should coordinate with legal service providers to establish clear points of contact and protocols for urgent detained cases, moving toward a centralized intake system.
General Advice
Always document and preserve evidence of all filings, communications, and interactions with immigration authorities.
Encourage clients and community members to travel with support when possible, especially if at higher risk.
Stay updated on policy changes and share clear, accessible information with clients and community partners.
Preserve legal issues for appeal, especially regarding procedural errors or lack of DHS evidence in removal proceedings.
Continue to build networks of support and legal resources to respond quickly to detentions and enforcement actions.
