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. The rule is effective as of July 1, 2024. (89 FR 34384, 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
AILA Announcements
Will AC24 be your first Annual Conference? Want help navigating your first Annual Conference? Do you want to learn more about AILA activities at the national or chapter level and get to know other members of the AILA community? If you answered yes to any of these, check out the Navigator program!
4/30/24
Correspondence
Response from USCIS regarding AILA and partners' letter advocating for the agency to immediately implement biometrics policies that would allow for continued adjudication of U and T petitions for applicants abroad.
AILA Announcements
Join us for a live-only briefing about the Welcome Corps, a private refugee sponsorship program under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Speakers from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at the U.S. DOS and the Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) will present a program overview.
AILA Announcements
Author Mary Kramer, author of the recently released 10th edition of Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity, will lead a roundtable where you can discuss the latest law and policy from the courts and agencies impacting all areas of criminal immigration law.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL issued a final rule on the temporary employment of nonimmigrant workers employed in temporary or seasonal agricultural employment and the enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of these nonimmigrant workers. The rule is effective June 28, 2024. (89 FR 33898, 4/29/24)
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS 30-day request for comments on DS–5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants. Comments are due by May 29, 2024. (89 FR 33437, 4/29/24)
Practice Resources
Reported issues of erroneous rejections across USCIS facilities and receipt delays have been raised to USCIS. AILA continues to seek examples of erroneously rejected applications and petitions.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS request for comments on DS–156E, NonimmigrantTreaty Trader/Investor Application. Comments are due by June 28, 2024. (89 FR 33438, 4/29/24)
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced three new classes of admission (COAs) for the surviving spouses and children of deceased Afghans and Iraqis who previously worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government. Individuals with these COAs are lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and are employment authorized incident to their
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 29, 2024.
4/29/24
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.
AILA Announcements
Join us all week for special well-being roundtables focusing on supporting the particular needs of attorneys. AILA will be offering special programming all week!
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.
AILA Announcements
As H-1Bs become oversubscribed and the perils of frequent consular visits raise anxiety levels of nonimmigrants and their employers, the volume of EB-1A filings has reached an all-time high. Expert panelists will discuss how attorneys can overcome challenges to unlock EB-1A success.
AILA Announcements
Explore the essentials of succession planning and how to develop an effective and ethical exit strategy. This course is designed for solo and small-firm immigration attorneys contemplating retirement, as well as for potential buyers who want to learn about the process of buying an existing practice.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
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 3, 2024.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee issued an order granting plaintiffs’ motion to enforce the Flores Settlement Agreement, finding that conditions at the open-air detention sites (OADS) along the California-Mexico border violated the agreement. (Flores, et al. v. Garland, et al., 4/3/24)
Professional Resources
Losing your device, either by accident or due to malicious behavior, happens. Guarding against theft in all the traditional ways of alarms and security systems is wise. But you should also use these underutilized features available on most devices. Read this Practice Success Tip to learn more.
Practice Resources, Professional Resources
EOIR is actively recruiting and hiring attorney positions. AILA encourages its members to consider and apply for these opportunities. To assist you, AILA provides these resources for navigating the process.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 26, 2024.
4/26/24
AILA Announcements
Join us for a live-only briefing about the Welcome Corps, a private refugee sponsorship program under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Speakers from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) at the U.S. DOS and the Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) will present a program overview.
Practice Resources
Overwhelmed by all the things you need to get done? AILA member Laura Kelley is here to teach you how to use time-blocking in your schedule to create healthy boundaries and get your daily work done.