Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 16, 2026.
9/16/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Whether you're addressing inadmissibility, removability, or other barriers to immigration benefits, The Waivers Book provides practical strategies, expert analysis, and reliable guidance to help you navigate complex cases and advocate effectively for your clients.
9/16/26
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 15, 2026.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
AILA's DOL Committee seeks examples of PERM denials where the case was denied solely because the filing deadline went beyond the usual 180-peroid, but were part of the group of cases that received filing accommodations due to the government shutdown in October 2025.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-13) updating Policy Manual guidance on referring cases for revocation of naturalization (denaturalization) under section 340 of the INA. Feedback is due 10/14/26.
Accessible to Public.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to help your clients understand changes for F-1 and J-1 visas, including elimination of duration of status. Please note: these changes are currently enjoined and will not take effect 9/15/26. The flyer is available as a generic PDF and a customizable Word version. Please share.
Accessible to Public.
Featured Issues
DHS has attempted to end the longstanding duration of status framework for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, replacing it with fixed periods of admission for these visas. This page will collect resources to help practitioners navigate this change and litigation that may impact its implementation.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA updates members that new versions of Forms I-539 and I-765 will no longer take effect on September 15, 2026 due to an injunction. New versions of Form I-485, Supp A and Supp J, I-945, and I-356 take effect on September 18. No grace period is provided but preview versions are available.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Court Cases
On September 14, 2026, the evening before the Elimination of Duration of Status Final Rule was set to take effect, the District Court of Massachusetts enjoined its implementation in Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. DHS (9/14/22).
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILALink gives immigration lawyers searchable access to statutes, regulations, case law, government guidance, and AILA publications in one platform. Get trusted answers fast and stay current with changing law. Subscribe today.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
In the AILA Law Journal article “Cartels as FTOs,” Matthew Ramírez analyzes how cartel foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations affect TRIG determinations, asylum, and other protection claims. AILA members receive free digital access to the AILA Law Journal.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS OIG released a report from a January 2026 inspection of ICE's Florida Soft-Sided Facility, known as “Alligator Alcatraz”, that found the facility did not comply with environmental health and safety, special management unit, medical care, food service, personal hygiene, and recreation standards.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 30-day notice of the revision Form I-751, Petition To Remove the Conditions on Residence. Comments are due 10/14/26. (91 FR 58160, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58150, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58157, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-526 Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, and Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58144, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58164, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS posted special instructions to the Form I-945, Public Charge Bond web page noting that on 9/18/26, USCIS will publish a revised edition of the form that will be required immediately, with no grace period. A preview version of the new form (edition date: 09/18/26) is available.
9/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26091403.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
AILA is proud to celebrate 21 years of AILA Citizenship Day on and around Thursday, September 17, with our partners: NALEO Educational Fund, National Partnership for New Americans, Citizenshipworks, and the New Americans Campaign.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 14, 2026.
9/14/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements, Practice Resources
Take your practice to the next level with AILA’s exclusive practice management resources. Discover proven strategies to attract clients, strengthen workflows, support your team, manage finances, embrace technology, and build a more efficient, forward-looking law practice.
9/14/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that redaction of personally identifying information from inter-proceeding declarations provides sufficient protection of the declarants’ privacy and that declarants need not be made available for cross-examination before comparison. Matter of V–S–A–, 30 I&N Dec. 37 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this article by Michele Carney, former Ethics Committee Chair, explains the single-mistake doctrine in ethic that single mistake should not result in career-defining discipline and discusses how that can pan out in a field of repeated change.
9/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26091103.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Stay current on evolving family immigration law with the updated Immigration Law and the Family. Featuring practical insights and case-based guidance, this resource helps attorneys address complex issues and protect their clients' interests. Order today.
9/14/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS is issued a policy alert (PA-2026-12) updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the regulatory changes on the registration of children born to foreign government employees in the United States as lawful permanent residents. Feedback is due 10/5/26.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that it received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B cap for the first half of FY27. 9/4/26 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before 4/1/27.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
EOIR 30-day notice of the extension and revision of Form EOIR-59, Certification and Release of Records. Revisions include a new field to collect parent or guardian name, removal of the term “noncitizen”, and updated links and privacy policy. Comments are due 10/13/26. (91 FR 57930, 9/11/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice of proposed rulemaking to eliminate the 60-day grace period afforded to individuals with E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN nonimmigrant classifications upon cessation of employment before their authorized period of stay expires. Comments are due 11/10/26. (91 FR 57807, 9/11/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a change in law is not a basis for statutory reopening, that the petitioner’s untimely motion for reconsideration did not warrant equitable tolling, and that it lacked jurisdiction to review the denial of sua sponte reopening. (Aristy-Rosa v. Att’y Gen., 9/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence review applies to hardship determinations for cancellation of removal and to battery or extreme cruelty and hardship determinations for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) special cancellation. (Okene v. Blanche, 9/4/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that Wisconsin’s child neglect statute is categorically a crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i), rendering the petitioner’s conviction under the statute a bar to cancellation of removal. (Reynoso-Salgado v. Blanche, 9/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction under INA §242(a)(1) to review an IJ’s affirmance of an asylum officer’s negative reasonable fear determination because the decision is not a final order of removal and does not affect the validity of one. (Sebastian-Perez v. Blanche, 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a CAT order is not a final order of removal reviewable on its own under INA §242(a)(1) and that the 30-day deadline for filing a petition for review is a mandatory claims-processing rule not subject to equitable tolling. (B.P. v. Blanche, 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule conflicts with the asylum statute by restricting eligibility based on manner of entry, and that the agency also legally erred by failing to apply the complete mixed motives framework. (Garcia Morales v. Blanche, 8/31/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the agency erred by requiring a pro se petitioner to submit a separate formal affidavit or corroborating documentary evidence for a motion to reopen an in absentia order where his factual assertions were not inherently unbelievable. (Trigueros Quizar v. Blanche, 9/4/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that reinstatement orders are final orders of removal subject to review, that petitioner was not entitled to equitable tolling of his untimely petition, and that 8 CFR §103.5(a) authorizes CBP to reopen, reconsider, and rescind reinstatement orders. (Santos v. Blanche, 9/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner failed to exhaust administrative remedies because she did not adequately present to the BIA arguments challenging essential grounds for the denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protection. (Gonzalez Perez v. Blanche, 9/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 11, 2026.
9/11/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court denied the petitioner’s petition for rehearing, granted the government’s petition for rehearing en banc, and vacated its 5/29/26 opinion and judgment. (Laureano v. Att’y Gen., 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Policy Briefs
Since the start of the Administration, ICE has been responsible for countless unlawful and violent abuses against immigrants and U.S. citizens, leading to serious injury and death. This policy brief highlights recent abuses and offers AILA’s solutions for reforming the system.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The AILA Marketplace Studies, now known as the AILA Practice Pulse, track the evolution of immigration law from 2011–2025, highlighting financial growth, demographic shifts, technological change, and emerging challenges including workload, politics, and AI.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion by affirming the denial of the petitioner’s motion to amend a pleading without allowing the petitioner to present evidence that his attorney’s factual admission regarding his manner of entry was untrue. (Urias-Gaxiola v. Blanche, 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the IJ properly applied the exceptional and extremely unusual hardship standard and considered the relevant evidence in denying cancellation of removal based on hardship to the petitioner’s children, including his son’s asthma. (Espinoza Benitez v. Blanche, 9/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Stay current with AILA’s updated 2026 editions of the INA and CFR. Get quick access to key immigration statutes and regulations, plus helpful editorial notes. Save with bundle options and build your essential practice library.
9/11/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the persecutor bar contains no implied duress defense and that evidence of the petitioner’s ties to the Atonal Battalion in El Salvador, together with an unchallenged adverse credibility finding, supported application of the bar. (Perez-Castillo v. Blanche, 9/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
The definitive resource for immigration practitioners is now shipping! Fully updated by Ira Kurzban and his team, the 20th edition of Kurzban's delivers authoritative analysis, practical guidance, and essential insights to help you navigate today's rapidly changing landscape. Order today.
9/11/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ erred in determining that the respondent met his burden of proving he was not a danger to the community where he engaged in street racing and was arrested for resisting arrest and for possession of contraband in detention. Matter of Kamalov, 30 I&N Dec. 34 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the respondent showed no prejudice from electronic service or the IJ's evidentiary rulings, and that where he was not credible and did not corroborate his sexual orientation, he did not establish eligibility for CAT protection. Matter of S–K–E–, 30 I&N Dec. 27 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the removal of former President Maduro from power and the ensuing transfer of executive authority constituted a change in country conditions in Venezuela for purposes of assessing an applicant’s prospective fear of persecution. Matter of A–E–V–M–, 30 I&N Dec. 20 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that conspiracy to retaliate against a witness in violation of 18 USC §1513(b) is categorically a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) and that the INA’s moral turpitude ground of removability was not unconstitutionally vague as applied. (Dziedziach v. Blanche, 8/31/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.