A federal court of appeals has upheld a temporary restraining that bars the government from summarily deporting immigrants without due process by citing an obscure wartime law.

In a per curiam order, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit tersely rejected the Trump administration’s bid for an emergency stay of the temporary restraining order issued on March 15, by D.C. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg, a jurist who got his start under George W. Bush and who was later promoted by Barack Obama.

Each of the three judges on the three-judge panel, however, wrote separately to explain their votes. Circuit Judges Patricia Millett, an another Obama appointee, and Karen L. Henderson, a George H.W. Bush appointee, wrote concurrences. Circuit Judge Justin R. Walker, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, penned a dissent.

In the case before the court, the Trump administration claimed something not entirely unlike plenary authority to quickly deport immigrants using the Alien Enemies Act  (AEA) of 1789. The law, which has not been used since World War II, has hitherto been understood to apply only during an actual war with another country. Its use by the Trump administration to target suspected foreign gang members poses a matter of first impression for the judiciary at large.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management reminds claimants who wish to retain mining claims on public lands through the 2025 assessment year to pay a Maintenance Fee or file a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (Small Miner’s Waiver) on or before Tues., Sept. 3, to prevent the mining claim from being declared forfeit and void.

Courtesy Mining Claims Packets are available online or upon request through the California State Office, Information Access Center (Public Room). The BLM will not be mailing packets, unless requested.

The Maintenance Fee for a Lode Claim, Tunnel Site, or Mill Site is $200 per claim or site. For Placer Claims only, the fees are $200 for every 20 acres or portion thereof. Claimants who filed a Small Miner’s Waiver in 2023 for the 2024 assessment year will be required to file an Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work form, including the required $15 assessment fee per claim on or before Monday, Dec. 30.

The California State Office Public Room is open to in-person visits; however, the BLM encourages submission of mining claims by mail or online.

• Mail: Checks must be pre-printed showing the address, with recommended Certified Mail being the preferred method of shipment, to Bureau of Land Management-CASO, ATTN: Accounts/Mining, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825. Payments or filings by mail must be postmarked on or before Tues, Sept. 3.
   
• Phone: For Maintenance Fees Only: Call 916-978-4400 to pay with a credit card by telephone.
   
• Online: Visit the BLM’s Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) payment portal to make payment with a credit card. Note: The Small Miner’s Waiver cannot be filed on MLRS due to original signatures needed; please submit the Small Miner’s Waiver in-person or through the mail.
   
• In-person: claimants who wish to make filings and payments via mail or in-person must make their filing to the proper BLM State Office for the state where the mining claims or sites are located. Check the website for times and telephone numbers for BLM Public Room hours.

For information on the filing deadlines, Maintenance Fees, Maintenance Fee Waiver Certifications, or Federal Land Policy and Management Act filings (Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work or Notice of Intent to Hold) please call the Information Access Center (CA Public Room) at 916-978-4400 or visit the BLM California Public Room website.

To review mining claim fees, please visit the website or the Federal Register. Please note the Federal Register notice states the fees are due on or before Sept. 1, 2024; however, that date is moved out to Sept. 3 due to the first being on a Sunday and Tuesday, Sept. 2, is a federal holiday.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is increasing fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations for BLM-managed public lands within the Central California District. Increased restrictions are in effect for the Central Coast Field Office, Mother Lode Field Office, and the Ukiah Field Office effective July 24, due to high fire danger. These increased restrictions are in addition to the initial fire restrictions issued by the field offices and the year-round statewide fire prevention order and will remain in effect until further notice.

The additional fire restriction prohibits campfires, barbeques, or open flame of any kind, even if you are in a developed campground. Portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jelled petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed both in and outside of a developed campground with a valid California campfire permit, available free at any USDA Forest Service, BLM or CalFire office, as well as online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/.

The BLM’s top priority is always the safety of our staff and recreating public. Please remember to only park legally when using BLM-managed recreation sites. Parking along state routes and county roads can inadvertently cause wildfires and may block access for firefighting engines and emergency vehicles, delaying life-saving services.

This has already been an active wildland fire year with fires occurring close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No campfires, barbeques or open flame of any kind, even in developed campgrounds.
• No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
• No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.
• No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• No explosives.
   

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. Fire restrictions for all California BLM-managed public lands can be found on our website. The latest information is available online or by contacting the Central Coast, Mother Lode, or Ukiah field offices directly.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mother Lode Field Office is temporarily closing motorized vehicle access to the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road in Mariposa County, where it crosses onto BLM lands, approximately one mile from the junction of Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road with Bear Valley Road. The closure is effective today, Thursday, August 15, and will be in effect until fire restrictions are lifted for the season. The closure of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road is not to be confused with the Hunter Valley Road which remains open. The Hunter Valley Road is located approximately two miles east of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road along Bear Valley Road. The temporary closure order can be found on the BLM website.

“This closure is necessary to protect public health and safety; and prevent wildfire,” said Mother Lode Field Manager Jeff Horn. During the recent Pedro Fire, which burned BLM lands along the northern portion of the Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road, it was discovered that target shooting was occurring in multiple locations along this road. Target shooting is not permitted during fire restrictions because hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire.

The temporary closure on Hunter Valley Mountain Access Road will remain in effect until seasonal fire restrictions are rescinded.

Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations. To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. Fire restrictions for all California BLM-managed public lands can be found on online. For more information, please visit the Mother Lode Field Office website or call 916-941-3101.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing an emergency closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area in Tulare County, due to wildland fire danger from the nearby Coffee Pot Fire. This temporary closure is effective immediately, until further notice.

The Coffee Pot Fire started Saturday, Aug. 3, and has burned more than 1,600 acres of heavy brush and ground fuels as well as burning through the giant sequoia groves near the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area and in Sequoia National Park.  

Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area, which is approximately 20,000 acres of BLM-managed public land located near the town of Three Rivers, in Tulare County, contains the only Sequoia grove complex managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The complex is comprised of six distinct sequoia grove units, which total about 444 acres. The area is also part of the Milk Ranch Peak Wilderness Study Area and the nearly 20,000-acre Kaweah Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which is designated for protection of the Case Mountain giant sequoia groves, other sensitive plant and animal species, riparian areas, and cultural resources.

The area is closed to all forms of public access to provide for public and firefighter safety in relation to the Coffee Pot Fire and management of that fire. For specific questions related to the closure, please contact the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000. For information about the Coffee Pot Fire, please email 2024.coffeepot.ca@firenet.gov, or call 559-492-9988.

MARINA, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is issuing an emergency closure of the Condon Peak Recreation Area and Campground in Fresno County, due to wildland fire danger from the nearby Boone Fire and existing evacuation orders. This temporary closure is effective immediately, until further notice.

The Boone Fire started Tuesday, Sept. 3, and has burned more than 17,000 acres of brush and grass fuels as well as burning in the area previously affected by the 2020 Mineral Fire.  

Clear Creek Management Area, which is approximately 63,000 acres of BLM-managed public land located in the San Benito Mountain Range in San Benito, Fresno, and Monterey counties. This closure order includes the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Oak Flat Campground, Jade Mill Campground, Condon Peak Recreation Area and Campground, and all roads included within the Clear Creek Management Area.

The area is closed to all forms of public access to provide for public and firefighter safety in relation to the Boone Fire and management of that fire. For specific questions related to the closure, please contact the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200. For information about the Boone Fire, please email Andy.VanSciver@ventura.org, or call 559-356-5041.

Attorneys representing former President Donald Trump recently filed a motion to adjourn his impending New York City hush money trial.

In the 31-page motion, the 45th president’s defense team claims their client “cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan County right now.”

“[N]o fair and impartial jury can be selected in this County at any time in the near future, including in April of this year,” the motion reads. “Therefore, the Court should adjourn the trial date until the prejudicial media coverage subsides.”