Examples & Questions
AILA is collecting stories and data of asylum seekers who have been harmed or deeply impacted by changes in policy. We are particularly focused on people whose claims have been dismissed or pretermitted in either USCIS or immigration courts since 1/22/25.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-23) updating guidance in the Policy Manual on qualifying spousal relationships for purposes of family-based immigrant visa petitions under the INA.
Featured Issues
Since taking office, the Trump Administration has weaponized alleged threats to national security to justify sweeping and punitive immigration enforcement actions. This page will track recent updates and news related to these actions.
Correspondence
USCRI is conducting a FTJ-Asylum Travel Ban survey. Many families are facing danger waiting outside the U.S. Seeking reps to complete anonymized survey for impacted cases.
Survey goal: use results for resources and advocacy.
Timeline: By 11/27/25
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 17, 2025.
10/17/25
Practice Resources
The AILA National Verification and Documentation Committee provides this practice pointer breaking down the 2021 and 2023 designations for TPS Venezuela and identifying compliance issues associated with their ongoing developments.
Practice Resources
Stop and ground yourself in this 15-minute mindfulness meditation led by Cheryl Aguilar.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA’s live online course, AI Essentials: Custom GPTs, running Oct. 14–28, 2025. Learn to build and safely use GPTs in your immigration practice. Enhance efficiency and streamline workflows. Full course available as a recording after the live sessions conclude.
10/17/25
AILA Announcements
Don’t miss this member-exclusive roundtable diving into the key findings from the 2025 AILA Practice Pulse study. Hear directly from the authors, ask questions, and explore what the data means for your practice today—and tomorrow. Register now!
10/17/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that, beginning 10/16/25, it is implementing the new immigration parole fee as outlines in H.R. 1. The fee is $1,000 for FY 2025 and is subject to annual adjustments for inflation. Individuals must pay when they are paroled into the United States, unless an exception applies.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice announcing that it will begin assessing and collecting a new $1,000 fee, as established in HR–1, for any individual who is paroled into the United States and does not meet an exception. This is effective 10/16/25. (90 FR 48317, 10/16/25)
AILA Blog
AILA Past President Jeremy McKinney writes for the Think Immigration blog on the need for an independent immigration court system: “Put immigration adjudication where it belongs: under an independent Article I court, led by judges whose duty is to the law—not to a political boss.”
10/16/25
AILA Doc. No. 25101606.
Professional Resources
Check out these AILA resources to help protect your practice from allegations of fraud.
Professional Resources
What are your ethical duties to an aunt who pays her nephew’s legal fees, or to an adult child who accompanies his aging parents to a consult? Learn how to establish clear boundaries with third party “non-clients” and say “no” to those who feel entitled to confidential client information.
10/16/25
AILA Doc. No. 22021000.
Ethics
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for November 2025, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the November 2025 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” Diversity Visa (DV) program and 2026 lottery results, expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers category (SR), U.S. government employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), and more.
Policy Briefs
Recent policy changes made to the immigration courts prioritize speed and enforcement over fairness, efficiency, and accuracy. These decisions raise critical due process concerns and produce fewer safeguards to error. This brief overviews these policy changes and recommendations for improvement.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 16, 2025.
10/16/25
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of enforcement operations at USCIS interviews related to newly announced enforcement policies. This call is for data collection purposes, not case assistance. Data collection will assist in monitoring trends and creating practice resources.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA misapplied the clear-error standard in 8 CFR §1003.1(d)(3)(i) when evaluating the IJ’s factual findings on nexus, internal relocation, and the Honduran government’s ability and willingness to protect the petitioner. (Ramos, et al. v. Bondi, 10/15/25)
Practice Resources
AILA provides a brief summary of ICE's operation targeting minors, including what is known so far as well as some suggested next steps for legal service providers
Federal Agencies
Federal agencies are asking unaccompanied children to sign a form declaration that waives various rights and legal protections as a condition of accepting voluntary departure. AILA has obtained and transcribed two versions of this form.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 15, 2025.
10/15/25
AILA Announcements, Professional Resources
The AILA MAP Low Bono list is an important resource that we provide to service members - help us update for 2026!
AILA Blog
AILA National EOIR Committee member Victoria Neilson writes for the Think Immigration blog about Matter of J-H-M-H-, the latest BIA decision that continues a trend of eliminating rights before EOIR.
10/15/25
AILA Doc. No. 25101500.
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, November 18.
10/14/25
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Practice Resources
DOS announced that NIV applicants will be required to interview in the consular district for their place of residence, or in their country of nationality, with limited exceptions.
Cases & Decisions
A US District Judge ruled that international students have the same free speech protections under the First Amendment as American citizens.
AILA Governance
The exact role of an agency liaison will differ depending on your chapter. Generally, though, this position’s goal is to engage with the local agency office and communicate relevant information to your chapter members and to AILA national. Here are a few tips on ways you can prepare.
10/14/25
AILA Doc. No. 18092770.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 14, 2025.
10/14/25
An organization/firm recognition award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.
10/14/25
AILA Doc. No. 99900673.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Join the 2025 AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium on Dec. 1, 2025, in NYC or via webcast. Gain insights from top experts on cutting-edge immigration issues and earn CLE credit while connecting with fellow practitioners.
10/14/25
Join the 2025 AILA California Chapters Conference, Nov. 13–15 in Long Beach or via webcast. Gain insights on cutting-edge immigration issues from top experts while earning CLEs and connecting with colleagues statewide. Don’t miss this premier West Coast event!
10/14/25
Join AILA’s web seminar on Oct. 21 to learn how to safeguard clients and fight denaturalization efforts. Expert panelists will cover risk factors, government strategies, and practical approaches to defend naturalized clients facing scrutiny.
10/14/25
Practice Resources
On 9/29/25, DOT issued a rule to enhance oversight of state commercial driver's license and learner's permit issuance, focusing on noncitizens authorized to work. This stricter federal review of state licensing practices resulted from concerns about fatal crashes involving non-domiciled drivers.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the contents of the October 2025 Visa Bulletin.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 13, 2025.
10/13/25
AILA Blog
AILA Practice and Innovation Associate Camille Rybacki Koch offers a preview of AILA's participation in the 2025 National Celebration of Pro Bono next week, writing "we have a variety of stories, inspirational messages, tips and tricks, and opportunities to keep you going or get you started."
10/13/25
AILA Doc. No. 25101331.
AILA Announcements
The 2025 AILA Practice Pulse offers valuable insights into immigration law practice trends—from firm economics to tech use and attorney well-being. Whether you're benchmarking or planning ahead, this resource is built for practices of all sizes. Haven’t read it yet? Download your copy today!
10/13/25
Join AILA’s web seminar on Oct. 30 for a timely update on immigration court policy changes and surprises in 2025. Expert panelists will break down recent developments, share practical tips, and help you adjust your litigation strategies.
10/13/25
AILA Announcements
Join AILA’s web seminar on Oct. 17 2025, for key takeaways from the Fall 2025 AILA DOS Liaison Committee meeting. Hear the latest updates on visa processing, consular trends, and agency communications to better support your clients worldwide.
10/11/25
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides some possible workarounds to address the ongoing issues with CEAC, and reports that the NVC is currently working on another CEAC fix.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 10, 2025.
10/10/25
Tutorial Videos
In this 10-minute video, AILA member Jennifer Howard guides you through breathing and mindfulness exercises that can help with feelings of grief and loss.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that effective 10/10/25, the U.S. embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso will temporarily pause all routine visa services, including applications for immigrant visas and most nonimmigrant visas. A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-4, C-2, and C-3 diplomatic and official visas will still be processed.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Granting the petition for review and remanding, the court held that the BIA failed to provide sufficient justification for its conclusion that the IJ committed clear error in granting Convention Against Torture (CAT) relief to the Salvadoran petitioner. (Villalta Martinez v. Bondi, 10/8/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Denying the petitioners’ challenge to the BIA’s summary dismissal of their appeal, the court agreed that the BIA lacked jurisdiction to review the appeal because the petitioners did not first move to reopen their case with the IJ. (Vergara Castellar, et al. v. Bondi, 10/8/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s denial of asylum, finding that there was no past persecution, nexus to political opinion, or government unwillingness to protect, and concluding that safe relocation was possible within Colombia. (Jimenez, et al. v. Bondi, 10/7/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announcement updating instructions for all immigrant visa (IV) applicants. Applicants must interview in the consular district designated for their place of residence, country of nationality (on request), or designated immigrant visa processing post (for certain countries).