Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that hardship determinations under the exceptional and extremely unusual hardship standard are reviewed for substantial evidence, and denied the petition for review as to the Mexican petitioner seeking cancellation of removal. (Alonso-Juarez v. Bondi, 3/12/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of "Courtesy Notices" sent by various field offices prior to a benefits request interview. Information of field offices not currently sending such notices is also requested. Call for examples closes on 11:59pm ET on 04/19/2026.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Congressional Updates
The bipartisan Keep Innovators in America Act codifies the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, allowing U.S.-educated international graduates to work after graduation, retaining talent, supporting startups, and strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 20, 2026.
3/20/26
Accessible to Public.
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.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this series we'll hear from AILA's 2025 Pro Bono Champions to learn more about why they do pro bono work.
3/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032062.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA must determine whether a petitioner would be eligible for asylum or withholding of removal but for the material support bar, because USCIS will not consider a waiver application absent such a determination. (Sufiyan v. Bondi, 3/12/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that no ineffective assistance claim lies where person retained was not an attorney and did not hold himself out as one, and that minor respondents’ SIJ-based adjustment eligibility was speculative due to visa unavailability. Matter of Z–R–C–N–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 523 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Trial Skills for Immigration Court: A Practical Guide to Effective Strategies and Tactics gives practitioners hands on guidance for navigating hearings where the stakes are high. Build stronger courtroom skills and advocate with confidence—order your copy today.
Accessible to Public.
Correspondence
AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson sent a letter to Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries to block funding to ICE and CBP until meaningful reforms are enacted to hold these agencies accountable and restore safety to American communities.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
USCIS has agreed to extend the registration period until 5pm ET today (March 19). Continuing issues should be reported directly to USCISFeedback@uscis.dhs.gov.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
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.
3/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 23102501.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Discover practical strategies to transform your immigration firm’s culture and create a thriving, resilient workplace.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 19, 2026.
3/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Policy Briefs
The Administration has implemented many changes to the immigration court system that undermines its ability to deliver fair outcomes consistent with the law. This brief explores these changes and provides recommendations to Congress to make the courts fairer, faster, and restore the public’s trust.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join us for the 2026 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast to get an insider’s view of what is happening at the government agencies. Agency officials and AILA liaison committee members will discuss the latest regulatory and policy initiatives affecting your practice and clients.
3/19/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements, Litigation Resources
Litigating Immigration Cases in Federal Court equips practitioners with practical guidance and litigation strategies for challenging agency decisions in federal court. Covering jurisdiction, procedure, and recent legal developments, it helps attorneys advocate with confidence. Get your copy today.
3/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the new Temporary Final Rule establishing a 12-month visa bond pilot program for B1/B2 visa applicants, and provides a list of countries subject to the visa bond.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On March 12, E Verify confirmed USCIS extended TPS based EADs for South Sudan under African Communities Together v. Noem. I 9s should note “as per court order” in Section 1 and use "April 10, 2026," in Section 2; employers should retain USCIS TPS guidance.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Professional Resources, Tutorial Videos
In this AILA Moment of Mindfulness Recording, we are introduced to the body scan. In this exercise, we learn how to bring awareness and acknowledgment to whatever we feel or sense in the body. The body scan is a tool that can be very helpful in working with stress, anxiety, and physical pain.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The en banc court denied the petitioners’ opposed motion to stay removal pursuant to Nken v. Holder and Leiva-Perez v. Holder, and lifted the temporary stay of removal previously entered pursuant to General Order 6.4(c) effective immediately. (Rojas-Espinoza v. Bondi, 3/10/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the respondent, a bisexual woman from Honduras, failed to establish past persecution, a nexus to a protected ground, or that the Honduran government was unable or unwilling to protect her from private actors. (Maldonado-Ruiz v. Bondi, 3/10/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
SAVE and E-Verify issued updates on the impact of the court order in African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al. staying the termination of TPS for Somalia set for 3/17/26. Beneficiaries will keep their status and EAD, and category A12 and C19 EADs remain valid and are extended.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
DOS updated the list of countries subject to the visa bond pilot program established by the 8/5/25 temporary final rule to add 12 more countries, to be implemented 4/2/26. Nationals of the listed countries must post bonds of $5,000-$15,000 to travel to the U.S. on B1/B2 visas.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for April 2026, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 18, 2026.
3/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the April 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” the Diversity Visa program, availability of family-sponsored and employment-based visas, Special Immigrant Visas, and more.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook is the definitive reference on U.S. immigration law, relied on by attorneys, judges, and government officials for clear analysis and authoritative citations. When accuracy matters, this is the resource practitioners turn to first. Order your copy today.
3/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On March 12, E Verify confirmed USCIS extended TPS based EADs for Ethiopians under African Communities Together v. Noem. For I 9s, employees should note “as per court order,” and employers should use April 8, 2026, including for E Verify, and retain USCIS guidance with the I 9.
Accessible to: Member.
Practice Resources
On March 12, E Verify recognized USCIS’s extension of TPS based EADs for Syrians under Dahlia Doe v. Noem. I 9s should note “as per court order” in Section 1 and use April 10, 2026, in Section 2 and E Verify; retain USCIS alerts.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On March 12, E Verify confirmed USCIS’s extension of TPS-based EADs for Burma under Aung Doe v. Noem, following a court order delaying TPS termination. Employers should note “as per court order” in Form I 9 Section 1 and use March 15, 2026, for I 9 and E Verify.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The Supreme Court agreed to hear whether the Trump administration may end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, consolidating two cases.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Jason Levy reviews the history relating to who may be considered a “public charge” and highlights the significant concerns AILA raised to implementing the new rule, including among other things, lack of clear and reasoned standards and violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
3/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 26031702.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a notice to announce that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is accepting comments on its proposed revisions to its information collection on H-2B forms. Comments are due 5/18/26. (91 FR 12827, 3/17/26)
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 17, 2026.
3/17/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that respondent had not shown that the economic, educational, and emotional hardships his 26– and 24-year-old children might experience if he was removed to Mexico would constitute exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. Matter of Arevalo-Vargas, 29 I&N Dec. 519 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Join us from 4/28 - 5/12 for a hands-on, beginner-friendly online course that offers participants the skills to use Microsoft 365 Copilot today, to improve writing, streamline office work, reduce research time, and build safe workflows.
3/17/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Immigration Law and the Family is an essential resource for practitioners handling family based immigration issues. With practical guidance and analysis, it helps attorneys anticipate challenges and protect family unity in an increasingly complex legal landscape. Order your copy today.
Accessible to Public.
Liaison Minutes
U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will meet with AILA's DOL Committee in anticipation of AILA's Spring Conference 2026 panel, to discuss prevailing wage, LCA, PERM, and H2-A & B related topics.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a comparison of the AIS, AVITS, and ATLAS booking systems, highlighting their operational characteristics and best practices for immigration practitioners.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a resource to help members understand the current state of consular operations and U.S. Citizen services at posts across the Middle East.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an overview of travel bans and pauses on visa issuance, along with practice updates, trends, and tips on how to advise clients.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
On 3/6/26, DOS Secretary delegated authority to Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration to determine if allowing a foreign national admittance to the U.S. as a refugee would serve the national interest. (91 FR 12664, 3/16/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
Where the respondent’s removal proceedings had been administratively closed for over 13 years, the BIA held that continued administrative closure was not warranted based on her intention to apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver. Matter of Medina Madrid, 29 I&N Dec. 514 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA has received responses to a couple inquiries raised regarding concerns with the H-1BR form and Form I-129. While AILA is still awaiting a response on the SOC code inquiry, a recommendation for public announcement has been made.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
SAVE and E-Verify issued updates related to automatic EAD extensions for current TPS holders. The updates state if an EAD renewal application was pending on or filed after 7/22/25 but before 10/30/25, the automatic extension is limited to shorter of 1 year or the duration of the TPS designation.
Accessible to Public.
Policy Briefs
The changes the Administration has made to the U.S. asylum system have effectively closed all access to asylum abroad, at the border, and in the interior of the U.S. This brief explores these changes and gives possible reforms to improve the asylum system while also maintaining U.S. border security.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 16, 2026.
3/16/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA’s Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual: A “Cookbook” of Essential Practice Materials delivers practical guidance, checklists, and sample documents to help attorneys prepare and file immigration cases with confidence. Put proven workflows to work in your practice—get your copy today.
3/16/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join the Removal Defense Section for their March 2026 quarterly call.
3/16/26
Accessible to Public.