This Month's Articles

EEOC Explores Employers’ Practices Regarding Former Prisoners

The United States will continue to lead the world in recidivism rates if the substantial barriers to employment of ex-offenders are not addressed, ABA witness Stephen Saltzburg told the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) during a July 26 commission meeting.

House Committee Approves Bill to Expand DHS Detention Authority

The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill July 14 that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain immigrants beyond six months if they are under orders of removal but cannot be deported for various reasons – a step that the ABA maintains would be an overuse of immigration detention causing “irreparable harm” to those individuals and their families.

ABA Supports DREAM Act

ABA President Stephen N. Zack expressed the association’s support last month for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which would provide a path to legal residence and citizenship for certain young immigrants.

Support Aired on Hill for Veterans Treatment Courts

Witnesses appearing before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee July 19 expressed support for Veterans Treatment Courts, which offer structured intervention, treatment and integrated service for veterans in the criminal justice system who often are struggling with the effects of trauma from their prior military service.

Senate Committee Reviews Impact of VAWA

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing July 13 to assess what has been accomplished in the past 17 years by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as the committee begins consideration of the act’s reauthorization.

ABA Urges Greater Effort to Fill Judicial Vacancies

ABA President Stephen N. Zack urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ky.) last month to redouble their efforts to fill existing judicial vacancies quickly.