Lawmakers: Shut down immigration courts in pandemic-hit Washington, New Jersey
The Trump administration should immediately shut down immigration courts in Seattle and Newark, cities hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend court deadlines by three months, nine members of Washington's congressional delegation urged in a letter on Thursday.
"We understand that the courts are reopening effective today and that any filings that were due during the courts' closure will now be required to be filed by March 30: This is a reversal from the previous notice that filings would not be due until April 13," said the letter to James McHenry, director of the Office of Immigration Review.
Washington and New Jersey are among the top five states impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This state has experienced 3,207 cases with 1,577 in King County. Statewide, 147 people have died. New Jersey has totaled 6,876 cases with 2,492 positive test results announced on Thursday. The Garden State is talking about rationing ventilators. Eighty-one have died of coronavirus in the state.
"As you are well aware," wrote the members of Congress, "Washington State and New Jersey are under statewide orders to shelter in place. Reopening the courts forces people to make an impossible choice between complying with court requirements and public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lawmakers-shut-down-immigration-courts-in-pandemic-hit-washington-new-jersey/ar-BB11LFKl?ocid=hplocalnews
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