Professional Resources
AILA is hosting our fifth annual Well-Being Week in Law along with other bar associations across the country. Join your colleagues between May 6-10, as AILA aims to raise awareness and encourage action across the profession to improve the well-being of lawyers and their support teams. Sign up now.
Examples & Questions
AILA seeks non-case-specific questions for the EOIR open forum panel during AILA’s 2024 Annual Conference. Please send questions in by May 10, 2024.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides key takeaways from an informal meeting held with the new chief of the Waiver Review Discussion. The practice alert discusses hardship waivers, processing times, and communication issues.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of the CIS Ombudsman announced that it is testing a new format for our DHS Form 7001, Request for Case Assistance, as well as new features for uploading documents and checking on the status of requests.
5/3/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050301.
Practice Resources
USCIS has updated the mailing address for replacement EAD card applications due to USCIS error, and requires the use of USPS when filing such requests. AILA has requested the use of alternate delivery services, such as FedEx and UPS be allowed.
AILA Announcements
2024 MidSouth Chapter Conference
November 1 - 3, 2024
New Orleans, LA
This event is being presented by AILA's MidSouth Chapter. This event is not being organized by the AILA National Office.
5/3/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050364.
AILA Announcements
2024 Pacific Northwest Regional Conference
October 3 - 4, 2024
Portland, OR
This event is being presented by AILA's Oregon Chapter. This event is not being organized by the AILA National Office.
5/3/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050363.
Practice Resources
AILA issued a practice alert after USCIS confirmed how the $1,000 Integrity Fund fee required for Form I-526E must be paid in connection with the new filing fees that became effective on April 1, 2024.
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
This mindfulness practice meditation, guided by Ken Mayeaux, is five minutes long and leads viewers through relaxing breathing exercises that can be done without ever leaving your office chair.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 3, 2024.
5/3/24
AILA Announcements
With EB-4 Retrogression, attorneys are looking to file PERMs for their religious worker clients. However, religious workers present unique challenges for PERM applications such as low salaries. Our panelists will look at these various issues and discuss strategies to address these challenges.
AILA Governance
AILA is committed to providing a professional and productive learning environment for all participants and staff. These guidelines apply to all AILA in-person, virtual, webcast, and online programming including but not limited to AILA conferences, seminars, online courses, and roundtables.
5/3/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050360.
AILA Announcements
It's been one year since the Biden administration issued the “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” rule, also known as Asylum Transit Ban. Join us for to learn more about when the rule does and does not apply, how to assert an exception to the rule, and the status of ongoing litigation challenging CLP.
AILA Announcements
Join members of the Business Section Steering Committee will discuss the recent rapid-fire updates and changes from USCIS over the last several months, including lessons learned from the H-1B registration system, H-1B cap processing (the new online system), the new fee increases, and more.
Liaison Minutes
The AILA DOS Liaison Committee met with DOS officials in Washington, D.C. on 3/20/24. During this meeting, issues such as technology matters, stateside visa renewal pilot, LegalNet review, visa appointment processing, including in the Middle East, and EB-5, among others were discussed.
AILA Blog
AILA Practice and Ethics Counsel Charity Anastasio shares details of all the opportunities the AILA Well-Being Committee has created for AILA members to help us find balance during #AILAWellBeingWeek next week, including a way to win at AILA Bingo!
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 2, 2024.
5/2/24
Professional Resources
When it appears that prior counsel may have violated Rules of Professional Conduct and provided ineffective assistance to a client during removal proceedings, this can raise ethics questions for successor counsel. Find answers to these questions in this helpful ethics article by Matthew Blaisdell.
Practice Resources
The Global Migration Section Analytics Subcommittee provides a document covering key immigration updates and developments, the most widely used immigration processes, exit controls, and more related to the jurisdictions of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
AILA Announcements
In this roundtable, members of AILA's DOS Liaison Committee will provide updates and takeaways from the Spring 2024 meetings with the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, NH and the Department of State in Washington, DC. This roundtable is hosted by AILA's DOS Liaison Committee.
5/2/24
AILA Announcements
Dealing with USCIS errors, incorrect decisions, system glitches, and other bureaucratic inefficiencies can frustrate one. Our panel of experts will provide practical tips and strategies to help preserve your sanity and achieve better outcomes for your clients.
5/2/24
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!
Federal Agencies
USCIS announced that it selected 114,017 beneficiaries, resulting in 120,603 selected registrations in the initial selection for the FY2025 H-1B cap.
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.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 1, 2024.
5/1/24
Practice Resources
AILA contacted EOIR for confirmation that their website and related documentation will reflect the updated USCIS fee schedule, as the EOIR website did not reflect that biometric services fees are now $30. As of May 1, 2024, the website is updated.
Practice Resources
On March 22, 2024, AILA hosted an open forum at the 2024 Spring Conference with the BIA. The EOIR National Committee provides the following key takeaways.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS invites stakeholders to a webinar on May 29, 2024, to discuss Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Following-to-Join Processing. Questions are due by May 3.
5/1/24
AILA Doc. No. 24042315.
Asylum
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS invitation to its National Adoption Engagement on Monday, May 20, 2024. USCIS will provide adoption-related updates, receive stakeholder feedback on adoption customer service and processing, and answer questions. Questions are due by May 10.
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 has added rescheduling a biometrics appointment through the USCIS online account and is seeking feedback from both applicants and legal representatives on this new process. USCIS will accept responses to this invitation to participate through May 6.
5/1/24
AILA Doc. No. 24050103.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a reminder with an updated FAQ on the USCIS Fee Rule to help certain employment-based petitioners understand how to submit the correct required fees.
AILA Announcements
AILA has taken important steps to ensure that all of its members feel welcome, have equal opportunity for success and leadership, and experience a true sense of belonging in the organization. This presentation will highlight the process over the past year that AILA has taken to evaluate and improve.
5/1/24
FR Regulations & Notices
CBP 30-day request for comments on ESTA. CBP is implementing a new capability within CBP OneTM to allow nonimmigrants who are subject to Form I–94 requirements to voluntarily provide evidence of departure. Comments are due by 5/30/24. (89 FR 34262, 4/30/24)
Professional Resources
Find remote pro bono opportunities for you to help vulnerable immigrant communities from a distance. Learn more about how you can remain engaged in pro bono from home with this list of remote opportunities.
5/1/24
AILA Doc. No. 21102705.
AILA engages in regular meetings with federal agencies, including USCIS, EOIR, ICE, CBP, DOL, and DOS, to discuss how the agencies are implementing policies and adjudicating cases, as well as to raise concerns about immigration issues that are impacting our members.
5/1/24
AILA Doc. No. 21110803.
Liaison Minutes
AILA DOL Liaison Committee met with DOL's Wage and Hour Division to discuss issues such as H-2B and H-2A investigations, pre-employment activities, different scenarios an employer may face when employing H-2B and H-2A employees, and more. Read the agenda now.
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.
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.
5/1/24
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
AILA Governance
All candidates for the 2024 National Office and the AILA Board of Governors were invited to submit statements regarding their candidacy, which will be posted by Tuesday, April 30. You are invited to attend a virtual candidate forum on May 2. Registration will close on April 30.
5/1/24
AILA Doc. No. 24042305.
Litigation Resources, AILA Announcements
Join the Federal Court Litigation Section for an overview of discovery in immigration-related litigation with the opportunity to hear from experienced practitioners and get their advice on discovery. Topics include: Types of discovery available, using FOIA as a discovery tool, and more!
5/1/24
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.
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.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule on T nonimmigrant status program classifications and eligibility. Comments are due by 7/1/24 and the rule is effective as of 8/28/24. (89 FR 34864, 4/30/24)
FR Regulations & Notices
HHS final rule that adopts and replaces regulations relating to the placement, care, and services provided to unaccompanied children referred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement under the Flores settlement. Rule is effective 7/1/24. (89 FR 34384, 4/30/24)
Practice Resources
On March 21, 2024, AILA hosted an open forum at the 2024 Spring Conference with EOIR leadership. The EOIR National Committee provides the following key takeaways.
AILA Announcements
DOL has issued a Request for Information requesting feedback on the Schedule A shortage occupation list. Submit a public comment urging the agency to implement a process that updates the Schedule A list in a manner that is consistent, transparent, data-driven, and reflective of the labor market.
Client Flyers
AILA provides an easy flyer for you to share with your clients to provide an overview of nonimmigrant visa processing in the United States. There are two versions available: a generic PDF version and a customizable Word version. Share widely.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 30, 2024.
4/30/24