Kevin R. Johnson discusses the effects of the Moncrieffe v. Holder on immigration and the war on drugs

In a recent issue of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Dean Kevin R. Johnson discusses the effects of the ruling on the Moncrieffe v. Holder case. According to the Supreme Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals is not allowed to remove a long-term lawful United States permanent resident for having a single misdemeanor conviction for the possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Excerpt from the introduction:
Moncrieffe’s story exemplifies how a racially disparate criminal justice system exacerbates racially disparate removals. Although Moncrieffe was fortunate enough to avoid deportation, many lawful permanent residents are not so lucky. Still, Moncrieffe v. Holder inadvertently highlights significant issues of race in the modern immigration removal system. Namely, the symbiotic relationship between the modern criminal justice and immigration removal systems compound the racial disparities in immigration removals and demonstrate the need for careful consideration of reforms to immigration laws and their enforcement.

Download the paper