Angelo Paparelli Quoted in The New York Times (also appeared in the Wall Street Journal Law Blog)
"Ruling Says Deportation Cases May Not Be Appealed Over Lawyer Errors"

Angelo Paparelli was quoted in the January 8, 2009 edition of The New York Times in the article, "Ruling Says Deportation Cases May Not Be Appealed Over Lawyer Errors." The quote was also picked up by the Wall Street Journal Law Blog. The article discussed a recent ruling by Attorney General Michael Mukasey that deportation cases may not be appealed over lawyer errors, which as a result, closed off one of the most common avenues for appealing deportation decisions. Immigration courts operate within the Justice Department and are not part of the judicial branch, so Mukasey’s ruling has the effect of the highest immigration authority, so any challenge would have to take place in the federal appeals courts.

Immigrant advocates, such as Angelo, expect the ruling to be appealed. Angelo voiced his surprise that the attorney general removed any chance for the Obama administration to render a judgment to affirm that aliens in removal proceedings have constitutional protections. Although Angelo noted that the Obama administration could overturn the decision, many immigrants may be deported before Mukasey's successor has time to address the order.