The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed Matter of Saysana in a critical decision.

In Matter of Saysana, the Board of Immigration Appeals announced a rule that required the mandatory detention of non-citizens that may have been convicted of old, non-serious criminal offenses.  The firm, in collaboration with immigrant rights organizations in Boston, drafted an amicus brief urging the First Circuit to overturn Matter of Saysana.  On December 22, 2009, the First Circuit ruled that Matter of Saysana violated basic principles of statutory construction and was overruled.