Lawfare Database Catalogs 400-Plus Immigration Habeas Noncompliance CasesMay 19, 2026Legal NewsLawfare's new searchable database catalogs 400-plus federal immigration habeas cases flagging government noncompliance with court orders, offering a critical tool for contempt and oversight proceedings.
Federal Court Blocks USCIS Policy Penalizing Travel-Ban Country ApplicantsMay 19, 2026Legal NewsA Boston federal judge blocked a USCIS policy penalizing travel-ban country applicants, finding it likely violates the INA's nationality-discrimination bar.
States Sprint to Redraw Maps After Supreme Court Guts VRA Section 2May 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's Callais ruling gutted VRA Section 2, triggering immediate map rewrites in Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama, and canceling a Mississippi special session.
Second Circuit Hears Combs Appeal Over Record Mann Act SentenceMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Second Circuit heard oral arguments in Sean Combs' Mann Act appeal, with his defense challenging a 50-month sentence as the highest ever for the offense and arguing the judge penalized conduct the jury rejected.
Colorado AI Antidiscrimination Law Stayed Ahead of June 30 Effective DateMay 19, 2026Legal NewsA federal magistrate in Denver stayed Colorado's AI antidiscrimination law on a joint motion by xAI, the DOJ, and the state AG, marking the Trump administration's first litigation challenge to state AI regulation.
Supreme Court Vacates Alabama VRA Remedy, Remands Under CallaisMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court vacated Alabama's court-ordered VRA remedial map and remanded under Louisiana v. Callais, threatening to restore a GOP-drawn map for 2026 elections.
Supreme Court Opens Freight Brokers to Negligent-Hiring Suits NationwideMay 19, 2026Legal NewsA 9-0 Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II holds that FAAAA preemption does not bar state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers, ending a four-circuit split.
Judge McMahon Permanently Enjoins DOGE’s $100M NEH Grant CancellationsMay 19, 2026Legal NewsJudge Colleen McMahon permanently blocked DOGE's cancellation of 1,400-plus NEH humanities grants, ruling ChatGPT-assisted targeting constituted unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.
Federal Circuit Stays Trade Court Win Striking Down Trump’s Global TariffMay 19, 2026Legal NewsA trade court struck down Trump's Section 122 global tariff, but a Federal Circuit stay quickly suspended the win, leaving importers still paying duties pending appeal.
Supreme Court Vacates VRA Redistricting Wins in Mississippi and North DakotaMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court vacated VRA Section 2 redistricting wins in Mississippi and North Dakota, remanding both under Callais and drawing a dissent from Justice Jackson.