Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
In July, the Visa Services Office of the DOS published its annual Report of the Visa Office, which compiled immigrants and nonimmigrant visa data from the 2024 fiscal year. Some sections of the report also include historical visa data.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of revision of Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). The notice was previously published in the Federal Register with the interim final rule, “Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration,” on 3/12/25. Comments are due 9/10/25. (90 FR 38655, 8/11/25)
8/12/25
AILA Doc. No. 25081203.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 12, 2025.
8/12/25
Professional Resources
Have questions about what to do if ICE shows up at your office? This practice success tip explores how to respond.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a court should review the BIA’s INA §240A(b)(1)(D) hardship determination for substantial evidence, and concluded that the BIA’s denial of cancellation of removal as to the Mexican petitioners was supported by substantial evidence. (Lopez-Martinez v. Att’y Gen., 8/6/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court concluded that the BIA correctly held that the Jamaican petitioner, who suffered from severe mental illness, failed to establish specific intent to torture, and thus upheld the BIA’s denial of deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). (Fiddler v. Bondi, 8/7/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the plain text of INA §209(b) allows only noncitizens with current asylum status to adjust to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, and concluded that petitioners could not adjust to LPR status because their asylum status had been terminated. (Wassily v. Bondi, 8/7/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS announced a 12-month long visa bond pilot program. Nationals of certain countries applying for B–1/B–2 visas may be subject to the pilot program. Consular officers may require a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance. The program is effective 8/20/25–8/5/26. (90 FR 37378, 8/5/25)
FR Regulations & Notices, Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert discussing potential changes to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program pursuant to a NPRM issued by DOS on 8/5/25.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR Acting Director released Policy Memorandum (PM) 25-40 on use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in EOIR proceedings. EOIR neither prohibits generative AI use in its proceedings nor requires disclosure of its use. Individual adjudicators or courts may adopt standing orders regarding AI.
Sample Briefs
This petition for a writ of habeas corpus is filed for a Brazilian man re-detained by ICE and placed in expedited removal while pursuing asylum. It seeks to stop his transfer, challenge the removal, and secure his release. (Petition, Habeas Corpus, Other Pleading)
Sample Briefs
This petition for a writ of habeas corpus is filed for a Salvadoran man re-detained by ICE and placed in expedited removal while pursuing asylum. It seeks to stop his transfer, challenge the removal, and secure his release. (Petition, Habeas Corpus, Other Pleading)
Sample Briefs
This petition for a writ of habeas corpus is filed for an Afghan man re-detained by ICE after appearing for an immigration hearing while pursuing asylum. It seeks to stop his transfer, challenge the detention, and secure his release. (Petition, Habeas Corpus, Other Pleading)
Sample Briefs
This petition for a writ of habeas corpus is filed for a Mexican man re-detained by ICE and placed in expedited removal while pursuing asylum. It seeks to stop his transfer, challenge the removal, and secure his release. (Petition, Habeas Corpus, Other Pleading)
8/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 25081106.
Sample Briefs
This petition for a writ of habeas corpus is filed for a transgender woman from Mexico re-detained by ICE and placed in expedited removal while pursuing asylum. It seeks to stop her transfer, challenge the removal, and secure her release. (Petition, Habeas Corpus, Other Pleading)
8/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 25081105.
Practice Resources
On August 8, 2025, USCIS issued a Policy Alert announcing a return to exclusively using the Visa Bulletin’s Final Action Dates chart when determining an applicant’s age per the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA-age) for all Adjustment of Status applications filed on or after August 15, 2025.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA properly upheld the IJ’s imposition of a 15-day asylum filing deadline and denial of a continuance, found that the BIA did not deprive the petitioner of his right to counsel, and concluded that petitioner’s motion to reopen was moot. (Chavez-Govea v. Bondi, 8/5/25)
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the new Temporary Final Rule establishing a 12-month visa bond pilot program for B1/B2 visa applicants.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 11, 2025.
8/11/25
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a nondetained noncitizen represented by counsel is presumed able to pay IJ and BIA filing fees, and that a fee waiver request from a nondetained adult noncitizen with zeros in all income blocks is presumptively invalid. Matter of Garcia Martinez, 29 I&N Dec. 169 (BIA 2025)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court found that the BIA erred in holding that the petitioners’ attorney was required to sign their notice-of-appeal form’s proof-of-service section, even though he filed electronically and checked a box confirming that no separate service was needed. (Cortez, et al. v. Bondi, 8/5/25)
AILA Announcements
Learn how AILALink is the perfect tool for electronic access to the books and other research resources you need. Sign up for our next group training at 2:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, August 12.
8/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the record did not compel a conclusion that the petitioner, who feared for his life in Mexico due to cartel violence, proved that he was eligible for withholding of removal under the INA or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). (P. A.-V. v. Bondi, 8/4/25)
AILA Announcements
Join this free webinar on August 13, 2025, from 3:00–4:15pm ET, to learn how to navigate threats facing immigration and criminal defense attorneys. Expert panelists will offer practical guidance on protecting yourself while zealously advocating for your noncitizen clients.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA’s AAP roundtable on August 27, 2025, to learn best practices for addressing and correcting mistakes in client matters. Gain insights on ethical communication, mitigation strategies, and maintaining professionalism when errors occur.
8/11/25
AILA Governance
Sign up to volunteer with AILA National.
8/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 24021303.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that selection results for a small number of 2025 Diversity Visa (DV) Program entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas may have been previously incorrectly reported. DOS asks entrants from Great Britain to confirm whether their entry has been selected.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS updated the Policy Manual to clarify calculating Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age in certain situations. For filings on or after 8/15/25, USCIS will use the DOS Visa Bulletin Final Action Dates to determine a derivative beneficiary's age for adjustment of status. Feedback is due 9/8/25.
Practice Resources
AILA members report a change in OPLA's legal position to designate people who entered without inspection ineligible for bond.
Practice Resources
AILA’s EB-5 Investor Committee provides a practice pointer discussing DHS and USCIS’s increasingly aggressive posture towards periods of authorized stay following an AOS application, and how attorneys can prepare their EB-5 clients.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 8, 2025.
8/8/25
Practice Resources
Donusia Lipinski leads you in a breathing awareness exercise to allow us to take a moment to slow down and just breathe. This program originally appeared as a part of the 2023 Lawyer Well-Being Week.
8/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 23062802.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s conclusion that the IJ committed clear error in finding that petitioner demonstrated a sufficient likelihood of torture to be eligible for protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). (Colorado Navarro v. Bondi, 7/31/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court reaffirmed its holding in Debique v. Garland that a conviction for second-degree sexual abuse in New York under NYPL §130.60(2) constitutes “sexual abuse of a minor” under INA §101(a)(43)(A) and is thus categorically an aggravated felony. (Garcia Pinach v. Bondi, 8/4/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA erred in rejecting the petitioner’s proposed particular social group (PSG)—“El Salvadoran women who are continually sexually abused and tortured by gang members…”—without conducting a fact-based, case-specific analysis. (Hernandez Guardado v. Bondi, 8/5/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in dismissing an administrative appeal of the IJ’s denial of petitioner’s motion for administrative closure, finding the BIA appropriately considered relevant factors under Matter of Avetisyan. (Sanchez-Banos v. Bondi, 8/1/25)
AILA Announcements
Provisional Waivers: A Practitioner’s Guide offers step-by-step guidance and real-world insights to help you get clients out of the unlawful presence trap. Whether you’re new to provisional waivers or want to sharpen your approach, it provides the tools you need to advocate effectively.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA’s web seminar on August 13th to explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives enhance workplace well-being. Learn practical steps to foster a healthier, more supportive, and inclusive environment for all.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe has temporarily paused routine visa services, including applications for immigrant visas and most categories of nonimmigrant visa, effective 8/7/25. Some categories of diplomatic and official visa applications will continue to be processed.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that significant discrepancies over whether respondent lived in New York or Michigan and his failure to file timely change of address notices with the immigration court showed he was a flight risk and did not warrant release on bond. Matter of Akhmedov, 29 I&N Dec. 166 (BIA 2025)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 7, 2025.
8/7/25
Examples & Questions
AILA has received reports that the Department of State’s Waiver Review Division has been refusing to issue favorable recommendations for J-1 No Objection Waiver Requests, despite receiving No Objection Statements from the home country. Please help AILA to track this issue by completing this survey.
Practice Resources
Check out this practical guide to crafting effective AI prompts, featuring key tips and a step-by-step template.
Professional Resources
Immigration attorneys must assess whether they are competent to handle a particular matter, taking into consideration their experience and how much time they are able to devote to the matter. In this ethics article, learn about gaining competence and working with co-counsel.
8/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 20051235.
Ethics
AILA Announcements
AILA's Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual (the “Cookbook”) features all the resources most attorneys need to prepare the most common immigration cases. From employment-based NIVs and IVs to PERM and PERM alternatives to family immigration and beyond, it's all here!
8/7/25
Adjustment of Status, Business Immigration, Consular Processing, DACA, E Treaty Categories, EB-1, EB-5 Investors, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants, H-1B & H-1B1 Specialty Occupation, H-2A Agricultural Worker, H-2B Temporary Worker, K & V Visas, L-1 Intracompany Transferee, Labor Certification (Permanent), Naturalization & Citizenship, O & P Visas, T & U Status, Temporary Protected Status & Deferred Enforced Departure, TN Professionals, VAWA
AILA Announcements
New to immigration law? Establish a solid foundation with AILA’s CLE-eligible Fundamentals Online Course. This self-paced program, developed by expert faculty, covers essential concepts, procedures, and terminology—ideal for new practitioners and staff.
8/7/25
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS notice of request for public comments regarding revision of Form DS-71, Affidavit of Identifying Witness. The Affidavit of Identifying Witness is submitted in conjunction with an application for a U.S. passport. Comments are due 9/4/25. (90 FR 37617, 8/5/25)
Practice Resources
USCIS updated its website on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal on 8/4/25. Employers can now rely on the USCIS website for the continuation of TPS and the auto-extensions of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to 11/18/25.
Practice Resources
On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the terminations of TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua. While the notice stipulates that the termination will take effect 60 days from the date of publication, the effective date will be September 8, 2025.
Federal Agencies, Memo & Regulatory Comments
DHS delegation of authority (DHS Delegation 15006) to the USCIS Director to order expedited removal, issue orders of arrest and removal, and detain noncitizens, superseding part of Delegation 0150.1, issued 6/5/03. Thank you to ASAP for sharing this memo after obtaining it via FOIA lawsuit.