Recent Postings

1 - 50 of 109
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

ORR Issues Field Guidance on DNA Testing Expansion

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) issued field guidance on ORR’s Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Bureau’s requirement of DNA testing to support proof of relationship between a potential sponsor and an unaccompanied child where a sponsor purports to be biologically related to the child.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031416. Humanitarian Parole, Unaccompanied Children
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

EOIR Issues Policy Memo Canceling Director’s Memo on Internet-Based Hearings

EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 25-25 rescinding and canceling Director’s Memorandum (DM) 22-07, which provided guidance to IJs on internet-based video hearings, stating that the DM was “purposeless,” ultra vires, and contradictory of a prior PM.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031415. Removal & Relief
Practice Resources

Practice Tips for Lawyers and Clients Preparing for a VAWA Interview

AILA’s VAWA, Us, and Ts committee has compiled the following tips to help practitioners support VAWA self-petitioners through USCIS interviews while safeguarding their rights.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031414. VAWA
Press Releases

AILA: Trump Administration Restarts Family Detention Guaranteeing Harm and Trauma to Children and Parents

AILA President Kelli Stump and ED Ben Johnson urge President Trump to end the inhumane practice of family detention rather than restore and expand it, noting the immense harm it causes and that “the deprivation of liberty is a power that should be used rarely and only when absolutely necessary.”

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031413.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Announces New Visa Restriction Policy to Address Forced Return of Uyghurs

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy that will apply to current or former foreign government officials responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of Uyghurs or members of other ethnic or religious groups with protection concerns to China.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031411. Admissions & Border, Consular Processing
Policy Briefs

Policy Brief: Explaining the Foreign Policy Ground of Removability

The federal government’s arrest and detention of a Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil, has put a national spotlight on an obscure provision of immigration law. This policy brief explains this law and the constitutional and statutory concerns with the government’s actions against Khalil.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031410. Detention & Bond, Removal & Relief
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – March 14, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 14, 2025.

3/14/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Provides Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing

DOS provided an update on I-730 following-to-join refugee processing stating that DOS has resumed processing of following-to-join beneficiaries who are relatives of refugees already in the United States.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031408. Asylum
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases

CA2 Finds It Lacked Jurisdiction to Review Denial of Cancellation Where IJ Found Petitioner Gave False Testimony

The court held that the IJ’s determination that the petitioner had given false testimony for the purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit was an unreviewable question of fact, and upheld the denial of cancellation of removal under INA §242(a)(2)(B). (Penaranda Arevalo v. Bondi, 3/7/25)

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031407. Cancellation, Suspension & 212(c), Removal & Relief
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DOS Notice of Determination on Foreign Affairs Functions of the United States

On 2/21/25, Secretary of State Rubio determined, among other things, that all efforts conducted by any agency of the federal government to control the status, entry, and exit of people across U.S. borders constitute a foreign affairs function of the United States. (90 FR 12200, 3/14/25)

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031406. Admissions & Border
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

EOIR Notice of Information Collection on Form EOIR-31

EOIR 60-day notice of proposed information collection on Form EOIR-31, Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization. Comments are due by 5/13/25. (90 FR 12176, 3/14/25)

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031405. Removal & Relief
Professional Resources

What If Mindfulness and Meditation Make Me More Stressed or Anxious Instead of Less?

Mindfulness doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all practice! This article explores the challenges some people face with traditional mindfulness tools like meditation and explores an alternative approach called flow state.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 23121501. Well-Being
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

EOIR Notice of Information Collection on Form EOIR-31A

EOIR 60-day notice of proposed information collection on Form EOIR-31A, Request by Organization for Accreditation or Renewal of Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representative. Comments are due by 5/13/25. (90 FR 12178, 3/14/25)

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031404. Removal & Relief
Professional Resources

Help! ICE At My Office Asking About a Client

Have questions about what to do if ICE shows up at your office? This practice success tip explores how to respond.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031362.
Practice Resources

USCIS Form G-325R - Biographic Information (Registration)

AILA provides images of each section of the new Form G-325R which has been made available on client myUSCIS accounts. A new interim final rule (IFR) requires that, beginning April 11, 2025, certain foreign nationals register their presence by completing the online form.

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031403.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DHS Notice on Request for Case Assistance Form

DHS 60-day notice and request for comments on Request for Case Assistance Form, DHS Form 7001. Comments are due by 5/13/25. (90 FR 12171, 3/14/25)

3/14/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031400.
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: DS-160 Photo Requirement

The DOS Liaison Committee provides an alert concerning the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application in CEAC no longer accepting photos that do not meet DOS quality standards.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031303. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

ICE Releases Information on Arrests Made During First 50 Days of Trump Administration

ICE released information on arrests made during the first 50 days of the Trump Administration, reporting that the agency made 32,809 enforcement arrests during that time period.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031302. Removal & Relief
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

CBP to Close Certain Temporary Processing Facilities along Southwest Border

CBP announced that it is reducing the number of soft-sided facilities (SSFs) where undocumented individuals have been held in certain locations along the southwest border. CBP plans to close SSFs in Donna, North Eagle Pass, and Laredo, Texas, as well as in Yuma and Tucson, Arizona.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031301. Admissions & Border
Practice Resources

Family Section Newsletter, March 2025

Read the March 2025 edition of the monthly newsletter brought to you by the members of the Family Section Steering Committee.

Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – March 13, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 13, 2025.

3/13/25
Professional Resources

The Ethical Obligations of Lawyers in the Digital Age

Technology is ever-transforming and attorneys need to develop and maintain competence about protecting client data and the risks of using certain technologies. In this article, learn how to avoid violating ethics rules and exposing clients to risk from scams and cyberattacks.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 23102501. Ethics
Professional Resources

Thinking Strategically in Your Practice to Prepare for The Unexpected

What if, hypothetically, immigration court ended virtual hearings tomorrow? This practice success tip explores this scenario and how you might respond.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031263.
Press Releases

AILA Leaders Express Deep Concerns at Trump Administration Undermining Constitutionally Protected First Amendment Rights

AILA President Kelli Stump and Executive Director Ben Johnson respond to recent actions and threats by the Trump Administration against individuals with legal immigration status that undermine fundamental constitutional rights.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031361.
Client Flyers

Client Flyer: Statutes vs. Regulations vs. Memos vs. Social Media in Immigration Law

AILA provides a short flyer for you to share with your clients on how they can determine what is law, what is the government’s interpretation or application of a law, or what is just the government’s opinion. There are two versions available: a generic PDF version and a customizable Word version.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 21032239.
AILA Governance

Volunteer with AILA National

Sign up to volunteer with AILA National.

3/13/25 AILA Doc. No. 24021303.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

HHS Stops Placement of UACs in Shelters Operated by Southwest Key

HHS announced that it has stopped placement of unaccompanied children (UACs) in shelters operated by Southwest Key Programs, Inc. and has moved all children there to other shelters.

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031237. Unaccompanied Children
Professional Resources

Be Ethical: Oops! We Hate When That Happens

Every week, we share a thought-provoking hypothetical scenario from the AILA Ethics Compendium. This scenario discussed whether a lawyer is liable when their legal assistant makes a mistake, and what ethics rules are implicated.

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031236. Ethics
Professional Resources

Pro Bono High Five: Farah Al-khersan

In the first of a series AILA’s National Pro Bono Committee interviews Chapter Pro Bono Champions, asking them five questions to learn more about how they began doing pro bono work and the impact of their work.

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031234.

AILA Equity and Belonging Committee Law Student Scholarship

An organization/firm recognition award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 99900673.
AILA Announcements

Challenging Issues for Religious Workers

Join AILA's web seminar on April 10, 2025, to address complex issues in religious worker cases. Topics include cross-denominational challenges, demonstrating two-year membership requirements, distinguishing religious occupations from vocations, and managing post-approval changes.

Featured Issues

Featured Issue: Impact of the 2025 Congressional Budget Process on Immigration

This page provides information and resources about the 2025 congressional budget process and its impact on immigration.

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031105.
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – March 12, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 12, 2025.

3/12/25
FR Regulations & Notices

DHS Publishes IFR on Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration

DHS published an interim final rule (IFR) that amends DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for noncitizens and additional documentation that may serve as evidence of registration. The IFR takes effect on 4/11/25. Comments are due by 5/12/25. (90 FR 11793, 3/12/25)

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 25030703.
AILA Announcements

Be Bold. Support Immigrants. Use Kurzban's.

The new edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook has been fully updated to address all recent developments, including changes to public charge, filing periods and timeframes, EB-5 visas, PERM labor certification, marijuana pardons, humanitarian parole programs, and more. Order now!

3/12/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases

CA11 Upholds Denial of Withholding and CAT Relief to Nicaraguan Petitioner Who Feared Persecution Due to Family’s Political Activities

The court found that petitioner had not established a well-founded fear of persecution, reasoning that the bulk of his claims of persecution of his family members in Nicaragua were so “dated” that they could not support an inference of future persecution. (Laguna Rivera v. Att’y Gen., 3/5/25)

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031110. Asylum, Removal & Relief
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases

CA2 Remands Asylum Claim of Chinese Petitioner Whose Home Was Demolished Without Just Compensation

Where petitioner claimed he had been persecuted by the Chinese government due to his opposition to its “forcible demolition” policy, the court held that the IJ and BIA failed to consider material evidence bearing on petitioner’s claims for asylum and related relief. (Tian v. Bondi, 3/5/25)

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031109. Asylum, Removal & Relief
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: DHS to Publish the Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration Interim Final Rule

On March 12, 2025, DHS will be publishing an Interim Final Rule (IFR) which will take within 30 days requiring individuals to register their presence and provide their fingerprints if they are in the U.S. for 30 days or more. AILA provides the following based on the advanced copy of the IFR.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031108.
AILA Announcements

Sign Up for an AILALink Training

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, April 8.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Professional Resources

Over 50 Safe Uses for GAI You Can Adopt Today

This week’s Practice Success Tip gives over 50 real uses for generative artificial intelligence that are safe and help save time and energy in an immigration law practice. Look for uses that can benefit you.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25012204. Practice Management
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

CDC Removes COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Immigrant Visa Applicants

DOS announced that, effective 3/11/25, CDC has removed from the technical instructions to panel physicians the requirement that immigrant visa applicants receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031107. Business Immigration, Family Immigration
AILA Announcements

Take Action: Congress Must Hold the Executive Branch Accountable for Systemic Attack on Immigration Courts

The Department of Justice is undermining the integrity of the U.S. immigration courts. Take Action by demanding Congressional oversight and holding the Executive Branch accountable for its systemic attacks on the immigration courts.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031106.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

OFLC Reminder Notice on Deletion of Certain Records from FLAG

Notice from DOL’s OFLC reminding stakeholders that its record deletion program will begin at midnight on Thursday, 3/20/25. OFLC advises that if you have cases older than five years from the date of final determination within the FLAG system, remember to download them no later than 3/19/25.

Practice Resources

Practice Pointer: Preparing Form I-485: General Eligibility and Inadmissibility Grounds (Edition 1/20/2025)

AILA’s High Impact Adjudications Assistance (HIAA) Committee provides the following practice pointer on Form I-485 changes in instruction and questions set forth in current Part 9, General Eligibility and Inadmissibility Grounds.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031103. Adjustment of Status
Featured Issues

Featured Issue: Practicing under the New Trump Administration

This page curates resources from AILA and other organizations that members may find helpful as they adapt to practicing under the new Trump Administration.

Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – March 11, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 11, 2025.

3/11/25
AILA Blog

Think Immigration: Where Are the Healthcare Aides?

In this blog post, AILA Law Student Member Katrynna Jackowicz details the importance of healthcare aides and highlights the fact that “Our immigration system lacks a temporary work visa option and a simplified green card path specifically for these critical workers.”

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031102.
Practice Resources

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Electronic H-1B Registration & Filing Process

AILA's H-1B Cap Taskforce provides answers to the most FAQ regarding H-1B Registration for FY 2026. Further updates and/or additional resources will be shared as needed.

3/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25031101. H-1B & H-1B1 Specialty Occupation
AILA Announcements

Learn Immigration Court Trial Skills from the Experts

Our newest publication, Trial Skills for Immigration Court, helps you effectively present your client's case with practical advice, sample documents, and "cheat sheets" covering case analysis, rules of evidence, direct and redirect examination, preparing witnesses for testimony, and more.

Visa Bulletins

USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Dates for April 2025

USCIS determined that, for April 2025, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart, and applicants in all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart.