Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE ERO announced a new web-based paperless system for immigration attorneys and accredited representatives to provide information about their eligibility to act on behalf of noncitizens in ICE custody through secure online communications.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced three Tech Talk sessions to address questions about its online accounts on June 4, July 2, and August 6. Registration is not required for these sessions.
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, June 4, or sign up for AILALink office hours.
5/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Practice Resources
AILA provides tips on using ICE's ERO E-File, which launched on February 28, 2024. ERO E-File is an online system for attorneys to electronically file Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative) with ICE.
AILA Public Statements, Correspondence
AILA submitted a statement for the record in opposition to the proposed H.R. 7909, the “Violence Against Women By Illegal Aliens Act.” H.R. 7909 will do nothing to protect people from experiencing domestic violence (DV) and will cause actual harm to DV survivors.
5/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051504.
VAWA
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 15, 2024.
5/15/24
AILA Blog
AILA New England leaders Miki Matrician and Anthony Pawelski describe how their chapter participated in AILA’s National Day of Action and highlighted the need to build relationships with congressional offices to ensure they understand the importance of immigration to the economy and communities.
5/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051503.
Amicus Briefs/Alerts
AILA and the American Immigration Council submitted an amicus brief to the Second Circuit in Hodge v. Brophy in support of a noncitizen whose continued detention has not been reviewed by an independent arbiter, and instead, he has been incarcerated without a bond under Demore.
AILA Public Statements, Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submitted comments to USCIS on its Policy Manual, Volume 6: Immigrants, Part I, Family-Based Conditional Permanent Residents, Chapters 1, 2, 3 (additions), 4, 5, 6, and 7. AILA applauded the updates and provided recommendations for continued improvements around processing delays and more.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day comment request on Form I-854, Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record, the form used by law enforcement agencies to bring alien witnesses and informants to the United States in "S" nonimmigrant classifications. Comments are due by 7/15/24. (89 FR 42484, 5/15/24)
5/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051500.
AILA Announcements
The 19th edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook will be released this September, with comprehensive updates on legislation, regulations, and case law. Members get 25% off the regular member price when they order between 6/1/24 and 7/31/24. Sign up to be notified when presales open.
5/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24043002.
Adjustment of Status, Admissions & Border, Asylum, Business Immigration, Consular Processing, Crimes, Employer Compliance, Family Immigration, Naturalization & Citizenship, Removal & Relief, T & U Status, Temporary Protected Status & Deferred Enforced Departure
Featured Issues
Despite the critical role legal representation plays in ensuring fairness in removal proceedings, the law still does not guarantee the government will pay for counsel if the person is unable to afford one. AILA provides resources on ensuring legal representation for people facing removal.
AILA Announcements
Every family is going to suffer in the event of removal. But how much suffering does a client need to prove? When do the different levels of hardship apply? Our panelists will discuss the dynamics of different levels of hardship and how to meet the statutory requirements.
AILA Public Statements, Correspondence
AILA and over 100 immigrant rights groups have signed a letter urging congressional appropriators to allocate funds in the FY2025 appropriations funding bill to address the critical gaps in legal representation and due process protections for noncitizens in removal proceedings.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS’s San Francisco Asylum Office is opening an additional temporary location in Oakland, California. Effective May 15, asylum applicants under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Asylum Office may receive an interview notice to appear at the asylum office located in Oakland.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051407.
Asylum
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the appointment of 18 new immigration judges (IJs) and two new appellate judges. Biographical information has been provided for each of them. Individuals interested in immigration judge positions are invited to sign up for job alerts.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051405.
Practice Resources
USCIS’s h1btechsupport@uscis.dhs.gov email box has shutdown as of April 30, 2024. AILA encourages members to continue reporting technical issues to reports@aila.org.
AILA Announcements
AILA is the first and only organization to provide a comprehensive program to support immigration paralegals and give them the tools and knowledge necessary to be successful through innovative training, products, and community building.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050111.
Examples & Questions
AILA seeks non-case-specific questions for the ICE open forum panel during AILA’s 2024 Annual Conference. Please send questions in by May 15, 2024.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of the CIS Ombudsman encourages recipients to file their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal request as early as possible. USCIS's recommendation is to submit the DACA renewal request 150 to 120 days (four to five months) before the expiration.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051403.
DACA
AILA Announcements
Take Action and share your stories! AILA is seeking examples of asylum cases where the government alleged one of the following asylum bars applied when it did not, and the case was eventually overturned with legal assistance.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051402.
Asylum
Congressional Updates
Congressional offices sent a letter to USCIS expressing ongoing concerns with the process for submitting Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications for asylee and humanitarian parolees. The letter outlines the barriers and several questions regarding Administration plans.
5/14/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051401.
Asylum
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 14, 2024.
5/14/24
AILA Announcements
Transitioning from one case management platform to another or adding a new technology is always a tough process. There are so many products to choose from, many hidden costs, and pitfalls abound. Come to this roundtable discussion by the Innovation and Technology Committee to learn more.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides the key takeaways, Q&As, and the agenda from its liaison meeting with the National Visa Center (NVC) on February 29, 2024.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS 60-day comment request on the recording, reporting, and data collection requirements for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Comments are due by 7/15/24. (89 FR 42011, 5/14/24)
Professional Resources
Fraud and theft by an employee could happen to any business. Further, the risk of this behavior does not decrease with employee tenure. This article by AILA's Practice & Professionalism Center helps you spot and detect suspicious behavior from employees that may result in fraud or theft.
AILA Announcements
The latest chapter in the fight for equal pay involves a variety of Equal Pay Transparency (EPT) laws that have been enacted in certain states. The panelists will provide a general overview of EPT laws, and address the factors practitioners should consider when preparing for PERM recruitment.
5/14/24
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of the CIS Ombudsman announced that, based on user feedback, it released new features to its DHS Form 7001, Request for Case Assistance, as well as new features for uploading documents and checking on the status of requests.
5/13/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050301.
Professional Resources
Knowledge management is a key part of your work as an immigration lawyer. This article explores ways to leverage AI to improve your practice.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS invites stakeholders to a webinar on 6/4/24 to discuss Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Palestinians. Questions are due by 5/17/24.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to allow asylum officers to consider the potential applicability of certain bars to asylum and statutory withholding of removal during certain fear screenings. Comments due by June 12, 2024. (89 FR 41347, 5/13/24)
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS final rule that private attorneys, interpreters, and others may attend certain appointments at passport agencies and centers and at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas to assist the person requesting services (the applicant/requester). The rule is effective 6/12/24. (89 FR 41308, 5/13/24)
Client Flyers
AILA provides a client flyer explaining prosecutorial discretion and how it is applied in immigration law. There is a generic PDF version and a customizable Word version. Please share widely with your networks.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 13, 2024.
5/13/24
AILA Announcements
AILA Global Migration Section (GMS) invites you to attend the AILA/GMS Annual Global Migration Forum where experts from around the world will discuss these topics from an immigration perspective. Our esteemed panelists will delve into how global mobility is fueling change. Register today and save!
AILA Announcements
Hear from two immigration attorneys who have lived through natural disasters and assisted clients with the immigration consequences of these urgent and life-altering events. We will discuss client needs, long-term client impacts, practice emergency preparedness, and more.
Examples & Questions
See what open call for questions we have for the upcoming 2024 Annual Conference open forums and make sure to register for the Annual Conference before the early-bird rates disappear.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s ICE Liaison Committee met with ICE's OPLA and ERO on March 20, 2024. Read the agenda and key takeaways.
Practice Resources
USCIS has clarified the inability to populate the spouse section on the online version of Form N-400. As no glitch appears to be present, online filing should be safe to procced.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOL invites stakeholders to a webinar on 5/23/24 to discuss changes to the H-2A program made by the 2024 H-2A Farmworker Protection Final Rule. The Final Rule will become effective June 28, 2024, and OFLC will begin accepting applications subject to the provisions of this rule on August 29, 2024.
AILA Announcements
AILA and the Council have learned that the federal government may soon publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a federally funded post-release legal representation program for unaccompanied children (UACs). AILA and the Council have created a survey to better understand your interest!
AILA Public Statements, Correspondence
AILA's Asylum and Refugee National Committee wrote a letter to USCIS with suggested data and statistics for publication on its website.
5/10/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051043.
Asylum
Practice Resources
The DOL O*NET Program had an update on August 2023 that may have a direct impact on Form ETA 9089. AILA's DOL Liaison Committee prepared this practice pointer outlining factors confirmed by DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) during AILA's Spring Conference.
Professional Resources
Paul Unger, a lawyer and productivity guru, regularly presents on time management techniques for lawyers. Here are ten of Unger’s best tips for managing your time better.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS provides general Q&As on the EB-5 program.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 30-day comment request on the Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I-600/I-600A). Comments are due on 6/10/24 (89 FR 40498)
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day comment request on MyAppointment, which allows respondents to access the appointment scheduling system via the USCIS website. Comments are due by 7/9/24. (89 FR 40499, 5/10/24)
5/10/24
AILA Doc. No. 24051037.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHHS 30-day comment request notice to implement the new risk determination hearings for unaccompanied children. This new information collection will replace the Flores bond hearing process. Comments due in 30 days. (89 FR 40485, 5/10/24)