Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
Practice Resources
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 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
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.
Policy Briefs
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.
Immigration News
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 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
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)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
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)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
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)
Professional Resources
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.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
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)
Professional Resources
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
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 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
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
Practice Resources
Read the March 2025 edition of the monthly newsletter brought to you by the members of the Family Section Steering Committee.
Immigration News
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
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
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 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
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
Sign up to volunteer with AILA National.
3/13/25
AILA Doc. No. 24021303.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
Professional Resources
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
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.
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
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
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
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 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
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
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)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
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)
Practice Resources
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
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
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
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.
AILA Announcements
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
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
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.
Featured Issues
This page curates resources from AILA and other organizations that members may find helpful as they adapt to practicing under the new Trump Administration.
3/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 24110804.
Adjustment of Status, Admissions & Border, Asylum, Business Immigration, Consular Processing, Employer Compliance, Family Immigration, Practice Management, Prosecutorial Discretion, Removal & Relief, Waivers, Well-Being
Immigration News
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
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
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.
AILA Announcements
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 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.