Practice Resources
Explore five categories of our well-being resources for what you need most right now.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submitted comments to USCIS requesting the agency to withdraw the proposed rule in the interest of protecting privacy, preventing agency overreach, and reducing burdens on both the agency and impacted individuals.
12/31/25
AILA Doc. No. 25123132.
Practice Resources
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program issued a bulletin updating the list of countries that are exempt from the six-month rule and need only to have a passport valid for their intended period of stay.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 31, 2025.
12/31/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) released information regarding the 12/16/25 presidential proclamation restricting the entry of foreign nationals from certain countries.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
Postal Service final rule on Postmarks and Postal Possession. The rule adds a new section to the Domestic Mail Manual defining postmarks and describing their usage. The rule is effective 12/24/25. AILA is evaluating the potential impact of this rule. (90 FR 52883, 11/24/25)
12/30/25
AILA Doc. No. 25123032.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 30, 2025.
12/30/25
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS and EOIR partial withdrawal and correction of Final Rule on Security Bars and Processing. The rule allows the agencies to consider public health risks a security risk bar to asylum and withholding of removal in the event of a public health emergency, effective 12/31/25. (90 FR 61035, 12/30/25)
Examples & Questions
AILA’s DOS Liaison committee seeks examples of 221(i) prudential revocations of nonimmigrant visas on or after January 1, 2025.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced publication of a final rule that allows DHS and DOJ to consider public health risks as a security risk bar to asylum and withholding of removal in the event of a public health emergency, effective 12/31/25. An advance copy of the rule, which will be published 12/30/25, is available.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison committee provides a practice alert detailing the process of prudential visa revocations and addressing recent reports of such revocations.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) posted a reminder for stakeholders that the filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and appendices) requesting work start dates of 4/1/26 or later will open 1/1/26, at 12:00 a.m. ET.
Practice Resources
On November 19, 2025, a federal judge blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria. On December 5, 2025, USCIS updated the TPS website for Syria in response. The Verification and Documentation Committee provide this practice alert for more details.
Practice Resources
AILA's Operations Committee has written a Practice Pointer with a Discretionary Analysis for Travel Ban countries.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS issued a final rule implementing a weighted selection process that will generally favor the allocation of cap-subject H-1B visas to higher-paid workers. This rule will be effective on 2/27/26, in time for the FY 2027 registration season. (90 FR 60864, 12/29/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 29, 2025.
12/29/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that it had jurisdiction to review the BIA’s extraordinary circumstances determination, but found that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s conclusion that childhood trauma did not excuse the petitioner’s 13-year delay in filing for asylum. (Ruiz v. Bondi, 12/22/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s Texas conviction for indecency with a child by sexual contact was categorically a “crime of child abuse” under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i), and found that statutory authentication methods for conviction records are not exclusive. (Campuzano v. Bondi, 12/22/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the denial of asylum and related relief, finding that the Guatemalan petitioners were targeted for criminal extortion rather than a protected ground and could reasonably relocate within Guatemala. (Ramos-Hernandez, et al. v. Bondi, 12/22/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced it has stopped issuing visas to diversity immigrant visa (DV) applicants. Applicants may submit applications and attend interviews. DOS will keep scheduling appointments and generally will not reschedule or cancel existing appointments. This guidance does not impact existing visas.
Federal Court Cases
The Chamber of Commerce and AAU challenged the presidential proclamation restricting H-1B visas and imposing a $100,000 fee, claiming it exceeded legal authority. The court upheld the proclamation, ruling the President acted within broad statutory powers. (Chamber of Commerce v. DHS, 12/23/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petition was untimely under INA §242(b)(1), that the 30-day filing deadline is a mandatory claim-processing rule, that the government did not waive its timeliness objection, and that the prison mailbox rule did not render the petition timely. (Liao v. Bondi, 12/17/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 24, 2025.
12/24/25
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
On 8/20/25, DOS Secretary delegated authority to Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration to determine if allowing a refugee or a national of a travel ban country entry to the U.S. is in the national interest and poses no threat to U.S. security or welfare. (90 FR 59635, 12/19/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-34) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to clarify when USCIS will allow confidentiality protections to apply in certain cases, such as VAWA self-petitions, T, and U visas. The guidance is effective 12/22/25. Feedback is due 1/22/26.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS published the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Paraguay for Cooperation in the Examination of Protection Requests. It was signed by representatives from DHS, DOS, and the Paraguayan National Commission for Stateless Persons and Refugees on 8/14/25. (90 FR 60114, 12/23/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS request for comment on extension without change of Electronic Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit (eMedical). Comments are due 1/22/26. (90 FR 60217, 12/23/25)
FR Regulations & Notices, Federal Court Cases
DOS request for comment on extension without change of Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit (Forms DS-2054, DS-3025, DS-3026, and DS-3030.) The notice incorporates responses to a 4/17/25 notice in the Federal Register. Comments are due 1/22/26. (90 FR 60219, 12/23/25)
Practice Resources
USCIS updated policy guidance on 11/3/25 stating that the grant of U nonimmigrant status to an individual in the U.S. is not an “admission” for purposes of adjustment of status under INA §245(a). U nonimmigrants who obtained their status in the U.S. remain eligible for adjustment under INA §245(m).
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides this practice pointer to serve as guidance for practitioners preparing clients for USCIS field office interviews in light of increasing ICE actions at these locations.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) released updates regarding the posting of the Visa Bonds Pilot Program.
12/23/25
AILA Doc. No. 25122332.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced a final rule implementing a weighted selection process for cap-subject H-1B petitions that prioritizes higher-paid individuals, effective 2/27/26. It will be in place for the FY27 H-1B cap registration season. An advance copy of the rule, to be published on 12/29/25, is available.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 23, 2025.
12/23/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-33) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to clarify policies and requirements for individuals seeking classification as a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner. This guidance is effective 12/22/25. Feedback is due 1/22/26.
12/22/25
AILA Doc. No. 25122241.
VAWA
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector of New Mexico. The waiver is effective 12/18/2025. (90 FR 59157, 12/18/2025)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice of availability and request for comments on Application for Permanent Employment Certification. A related Federal Register notice with more substantive information on this collection was posted 7/7/25. Comments are due 1/21/26. (90 FR 59874, 12/22/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a Policy Alert (PA-2025-31) on new policy manual guidance addressing DOL’s adoption of the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system and its impact on certain immigrant visa petitions for professional athletes. The guidance is effective 12/18/25. Feedback is due 1/18/26.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced that it will increase the stipend for individuals who “self-deport” through the CBP home app to $3,000 until the end of the year.
12/22/25
AILA Doc. No. 25122237.
AILA Announcements
The House passed H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act, and the Senate is now considering the legislation as S. 3054. Urge your Senators to vote NO and protect unaccompanied children.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the investiture of Appellate Immigration Judge Roman Marian Chaban who was sworn in on 12/19/25. Judge Chaban previously served as EOIR Acting Deputy Director.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, the U.S. will fully or partially suspend entry for and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries, and individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, effective 1/1/26.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy memo (PM-602-0193) placing an immediate hold on all adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications for applicants under the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. It also directs a comprehensive review of program policies and procedures.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a Policy Alert (PA-2025-32) rescinding guidance in the policy manual to expedite processing of naturalization applications for certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. The guidance is effective 12/19/25. Feedback is due 1/19/26.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 22, 2025.
12/22/25
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that where neither the respondent nor DHS appears at the hearing and DHS does not present evidence of removability in advance of the hearing, the IJ does not err in terminating proceedings without prejudice. Matter of Tepec-Garcia, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 371 (BIA 2025)