The Supreme Court’s docket for its 2009-10 term includes two key immigration cases that will affect immigrants’ access to legal counsel and the federal court system. In Padilla v. Kentucky, which is set for October 13, the Court will decide whether a criminal defense attorney must advise a foreign-born client on how a criminal case will affect the client’s immigration status, and what remedies the client may seek if an attorney gives incorrect advice. In Kucana v. Holder, which is set for November 10, the Court will decide whether federal appeals courts have jurisdiction to review certain decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
