Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that SAVE user agencies can now create a case using just the last four digits of an applicant’s Social Security number (SSN) along with the standard case creation requirements of first name, last name, and date of birth.
11/4/25
AILA Doc. No. 25110405.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that states can now use SAVE to verify the citizenship of voters and voting registrants using the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number rather than requiring the full nine digits.
11/4/25
AILA Doc. No. 25110404.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOJ announced that it has removed Baltimore County, Maryland, as a designated sanctuary jurisdiction after the county recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICE to collaborate on immigration enforcement.
11/4/25
AILA Doc. No. 25110403.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court upheld the removability of the petitioner, finding that his Florida conviction for engaging in an act of culpably negligent child neglect that did not result in serious injury constituted a “crime of child abuse” under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i). (Bastias v. Att’y Gen., 10/30/25)
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA's USCIS Benefits Policy Committee submitted comments to USCIS expressing concern that new policy will make it more difficult to apply for immigration benefits and requesting the agency amend the new policy.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion by failing to fully consider the country-conditions evidence that the Honduran petitioner put forth to support her claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection. (Alfaro-Zelaya v. Bondi, 10/31/25)
Professional Resources
Retirement can be a complicated endeavor. In this article, one former member shares their journey to new life after practice.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 4, 2025.
11/4/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-25) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to reflect that a grant of U nonimmigrant status is not an “admission” for purposes of adjustment of status under section 245(a) of the INA. This guidance is effective 11/2/25. Feedback is due 12/3/25.
Practice Resources
AILA National shares information on how federal agencies may be affected as a result of the government shutdown. This page will continue to be updated as more information is received.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend its regulations governing biometrics use and collection. Proposed changes include requiring anyone filing or associated with an immigration benefits request to submit biometrics. Comments are due 1/2/26. (90 FR 49062, 11/3/25)
11/3/25
AILA Doc. No. 25110331.
Practice Resources
Following the publication of a new IFR (90 FR 48799, 10/30/25) removing 540-day automatic extensions for work authorization renewals, AILA has put together a chart showing the list of categories that are impacted by this change.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 3, 2025.
11/3/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOL announced it has resumed processing of employer requests for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations for temporary and permanent employment in the United States. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification’s (OFLC) Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is now accessible.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submits a comment to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative providing suggestions on how to improve the operation and implementation of the USMCA.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS posted updated information regarding the Rosario Class Action for asylum seekers whose requests for EADs have not been adjudicated within the 30-day period. It provides an overview of the class action and inquiry instructions for class members whose EADs have not been adjudicated.
FR Regulations & Notices
Memorandum for DOS and HHS secretaries transitioning the administration of initial resettlement grants and contracts from DOS to HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement.
AILA Governance
The Standing Committee on Political Engagement (SCOPE) is currently accepting requests from chapters to evaluate candidates for support, opposition, or endorsement in the 2026 midterm elections.
Please note: Requests must be submitted by chapters, not by individual AILA members.
10/31/25
AILA Doc. No. 24071506.
FR Regulations & Notices
Memorandum for DOS, DHS, and HHS secretaries with the presidential determination of the admission of up to 7,500 refugees in FY2026. Admissions will be primarily allocated to Afrikaners and “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.” (90 FR 49005, 10/31/25)
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that respondents subject to an asylum cooperative agreement (ACA) must prove by a preponderance of evidence they will more likely than not be persecuted or tortured in the third country to avoid the safe third country bar. Matter of C–I–G–M– & L–V–S–G–, 29 I&N Dec. 291 (BIA 2025)
AILA Blog
AILA Elected Director Heather Prendergast describes a recent consultation that deeply affected her as a young Venezuelan couple faces detention and removal after a routine traffic stop upended their lives.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 31, 2025.
10/31/25
Tutorial Videos
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which comes from traditional Chinese medicine and other ancient healing systems, helps you tap into the energy flow channels within your body. Watch this 22-minute video from Lawyer Well-Being Week for an introduction to this meditation technique.
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.
10/31/25
AILA Announcements
AILA's Benefits Litigation Toolbox for Business Practitioners brings together valuable resources such as practice advisories, sample briefs, and sample motions for litigating delays and denials of employment-based benefits in federal district court. Order your copy today!
Examples & Questions
AILA National has received reports of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for H-1B petitions (Form I-129) in connection to the $100,000 Proclamation fee. At this time it remains unclear if all RFEs issued have been issued correctly. This call for examples will remain open until further notice.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS interim final rule ending the automatic 540-day extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for all renewals filed on or after 10/30/25. The rule applies to all categories previously eligible for the extension. Comments are due 12/1/25. (90 FR 48799, 10/30/25)
10/30/25
AILA Doc. No. 25102961.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Vaman Kidambi describes the September 30 decision by District Court Judge William Young protecting the free speech rights of international students and scholars under the Constitution, noting that the judge is a “gladiator of sorts for first amendment protections.”
Professional Resources
If out-of-town, employment-based clients need legal representation at their adjustment interview, how can attorneys meet their duty to provide competent representation? Answer this question, and more, about fees and conflicts of interest in this bite-sized ethics article from AILA’s PPC.
Professional Resources
AILA Innovation and Technology Committee Member Jack Jrada dives into Palantir’s Immigration OS sharing what we know (and don't know) about how it works, and how you should respond.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 30, 2025.
10/30/25
AILA Announcements
AILALink, connects you to a complete and up-to-date collection of resources essential for practicing immigration law. Immigration lawyers love AILALink for the searchable access to $4,000+ worth of AILA publications, as well as key resources like the INA, CFR, agency memos and manuals, and more.
10/30/25
Professional Resources
Learn about the real-life case in which reliance on AI-generated legal citations led to ethical violations and disciplinary consequences and how to prevent it from happening to you.
10/29/25
AILA Doc. No. 25102903.
Ethics
Press Releases
AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson condemned the Trump Administration's announced ending of the automatic work permit extensions which had provided a failsafe for vetted workers stuck in months-long delays, allowing them to continue contributing to our economy.
10/29/25
AILA Doc. No. 25102931.
Practice Resources
On October 20, 2025, USCIS provided additional information about the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation for the $100,000 H-1B fee. This practice alert summarizes the detailed information provided to date and highlights remaining questions.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides some possible workarounds to address the ongoing issues with CEAC, and reports that on October, 22, 2025, the DOS Office of Consular Systems and Technology deployed a fix to address DS-260 time-out issues.
Featured Issues
The U.S. immigration court system plays a critical role in ensuring due process and fair hearings for people facing deportation. But the Trump Administration has made significant changes that challenge the integrity of these courts. On this page, you will find news and resources on these changes.
Practice Resources
AILA shares a practice alert highlighting the impact of a new interim final rule (IFR) reducing the automatic extension of EADs from 540 days to 0 days. Lists of the impacted categories and categories eligible for electronic filing are included. This IFR is effective 10/30/25.
10/29/25
AILA Doc. No. 25102962.
Practice Resources
AILA issues this practice alert to provide details about the new immigration parole fee required by H.R. 1 as of October 16, 2025.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 29, 2025.
10/29/25
Tutorial Videos
Watch this short video to learn a six-step process to follow to correct a mistake.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides guidance on the consular return process for NIV and IV petitions and provides updated recommendations for AILA members on next steps after a petition is returned to USCIS by a U.S. Consulate.
Examples & Questions
AILA is collecting examples from practitioners to illustrate the real-world impact of recent immigration court policies and practices. Your responses will help us document systemic problems to strengthen our advocacy efforts and provide a clearer picture of how these policies affect people in court.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court denied the petitioners’ motion to stay removal pending disposition of their petition for review, finding they failed to show a likelihood of success on their asylum and related claims or particularized irreparable harm under Nken v. Holder. (Rojas-Espinoza v. Bondi, 10/24/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a qualifying “child” under INA §240A(b)(1)(D) must be under 21 at the time the cancellation of removal application is adjudicated, rejecting petitioner’s claim that his daughter’s age at the time of filing or the hearing should control. (Yupangui-Yunga v. Bondi, 10/24/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 28, 2025.
10/28/25
Federal Court Cases, Litigation Resources, Sample Briefs
AILA member Jesse Bless prevailed against government’s attempt to dismiss APA challenge to USCIS T-Visa Bona BFD Process regulation. The case alleged the new BFD framework unlawfully prioritized later-filed T-visa applications for BFD review, disadvantaging earlier T applicants. (Motion to Dismiss)
ChatGPT might allow immigration attorneys to do their job more efficiently, but not necessarily more accurately. While the chatbot does have a good knowledge base, it can make errors that could harm a client’s case. Learn more about the importance of caution when using this evolving technology.
10/28/25
AILA Doc. No. 23041302.
Ethics
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the investiture of 11 immigration judges and 25 temporary immigration judges in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that 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 Del Rio Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 10/27/25. (90 FR 48582, 10/27/25)