Comprendre la loi Laken Riley : un tournant dans l'application de la législation américaine en matière d'immigration
Denice Flores • June 5, 2025
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En janvier 2025, le Congrès américain a adopté la loi Laken Riley, marquant un changement important dans la politique d'application des lois sur l'immigration.
Cette loi oblige le département de la Sécurité intérieure à placer en détention certains ressortissants étrangers
qui ont été arrêtés pour des infractions liées au vol, telles que le cambriolage, le vol, le vol simple ou le vol à l'étalage.
En vertu de cette loi, le département de la Sécurité intérieure doit placer en détention toute personne qui
(1)
se trouve illégalement aux États-Unis ou ne possédait pas les documents nécessaires lors de sa demande d'admission ; et
(2)
a été accusé, arrêté, condamné ou a admis avoir commis des actes constituant les éléments essentiels d'un cambriolage, d'un vol, d'un larcin ou d'un vol à l'étalage.
La loi autorise également les États à poursuivre le gouvernement fédéral pour des décisions ou des manquements présumés liés à l'application de la législation en matière d'immigration. Elle autorise les gouvernements des États à intenter une action en injonction contre certaines décisions ou certains manquements présumés du gouvernement fédéral en matière d'immigration si ces décisions ou manquements ont causé un préjudice à l'État ou à ses résidents, y compris un préjudice financier supérieur à 100 dollars. Plus précisément, le gouvernement de l'État peut poursuivre le gouvernement fédéral pour :
- Une décision de libérer un ressortissant étranger
- Le non-respect des exigences relatives à l'inspection des personnes demandant à entrer aux États-Unis, y compris les exigences relatives aux entretiens d'asile ;
- Le non-respect de l'obligation de cesser de délivrer des visas aux ressortissants d'un pays qui refuse ou retarde de manière déraisonnable l'acceptation des ressortissants de ce pays ;
- La violation des restrictions en matière de libération conditionnelle pour immigration, telles que l'obligation d'accorder la libération conditionnelle uniquement au cas par cas ; ou
- Le non-respect de l'obligation de détenir une personne qui a fait l'objet d'une mesure d'éloignement des États-Unis.
Les exigences strictes de la loi en matière de détention peuvent accroître la peur et l'incertitude au sein des communautés d'immigrants. Les personnes qui sont simplement accusées de certains crimes pourraient être soumises à une détention obligatoire. La loi peut également avoir une incidence sur les procédures d'immigration légales. L'intensification des efforts en matière de détention et d'expulsion pourrait mettre à rude épreuve les ressources, ce qui pourrait entraîner des retards dans le traitement des visas et des demandes d'asile.
Compte tenu de l'évolution du paysage juridique :
- Restez informé et/ou consultez un avocat - Consultez votre avocat spécialisé en immigration pour comprendre comment les nouvelles lois et politiques peuvent affecter votre situation et si vous ou une personne de votre entourage êtes confronté à des problèmes juridiques liés à l'immigration.
- Connaissez vos droits - Familiarisez-vous avec vos droits légaux, en particulier en ce qui concerne les interactions avec les forces de l'ordre et les autorités d'immigration.
- Engagement communautaire - Participez à des organisations communautaires qui fournissent un soutien et des ressources aux immigrants, en favorisant la création d'un réseau d'aide et de défense.
Si vous avez des questions ou si vous souhaitez consulter un avocat spécialisé en immigration, contactez notre cabinet pour prendre rendez-vous.
Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a regulatory proposal that would remove the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to certain nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, TN, E, and O-1) and their dependents. The draft rule is currently undergoing interagency review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been formally published for public feedback. What This Means Right Now Nothing changes today. The 60-day grace period remains in effect while this rule goes through the approval process. Under current rules, if your job ends early, you have up to 60 days (or until your I-94 expires) to leave the U.S., find a new sponsor, or apply to change status. What Could Change If approved, foreign workers who lose their jobs would no longer get automatic time to find a new employer or change status from within the U.S. They would generally be required to leave the country immediately. Next Steps Once the OMB finishes its initial review, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a public comment period of 30 to 60 days. Based on feedback received during this time, DHS may decide to alter, withdraw, or proceed with the proposal. If the government decides to finalize the rule, the entire process will likely take several months before taking effect. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor developments closely and will share updates on our immigration blog and social media pages as more details emerge.
