Agency Memos & Announcements
On 12/18/25, the President signed an Executive Order closing all federal executive departments and agencies on 12/24/25 and 12/26/25. Department and agency heads may require some offices to remain open or some employees to work for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need.
12/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121943.
Press Releases
AILA President Jeff Joseph responds to the Trump Administration's recent changes, including the expansion of the ban and halt to the Diversity Visa program, noting the continued weaponization of "tragedies as a pretext to advance anti-immigrant policies" rather than actually make America safer.
12/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121940.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-30) updating the Policy Manual to incorporate the implementation of the immigration parole fee, established in HR-1. The guidance is effective 12/18/25 and applies to individuals paroled on or after 10/16/25.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the respondent did not establish a well-founded fear of persecution based on a pretextual summons for his political activity and country conditions evidence that political activists are detained and severely harmed in Moldova. Matter of N–P–A–, 29 I&N Dec. 347 (BIA 2025)
Memo & Regulatory Comments
On December 18, 2025, AILA submitted a comment opposing the 2025 Proposed Rule on Public Charge Grounds of Inadmissibility, and urged for the 2022 Public Charge Grounds of Inadmissibility to remain as the ruling authority on the matter.
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.
AILA Governance
Bylaws of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), adopted on April 17, 2015, with amendments through December 19, 2025.
12/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 06141220.
Professional Resources
As 2025 ends, pause and plan for steady technology improvements in 2026, focusing on meaningful and manageable changes rather than overwhelming overhauls to get results.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 19, 2025.
12/19/25
Memo & Regulatory Comments
DOS acknowledged and adopted some of the DS-260 form changes suggested by AILA’s DOS Liaison committee in a comment submitted to the agency.
AILA Governance
Per Section 3.2 of AILA’s Bylaws, AILA President Jeff Joseph has called a Special Meeting of the Members on Tuesday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET to present to the membership proposed amendments to AILA’s Bylaws.
12/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25101609.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that IJ erred in finding that respondent, who had two convictions for driving while intoxicated (DWI), had overcome the presumption that he lacked good moral character based on his care for his son and his history of employment. Matter of Palma-Olvera, 29 I&N Dec. 355 (BIA 2025)
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ erred in concluding that the respondent was not a danger to the community, where the respondent threatened to kill someone, reacted negatively to law enforcement intervention, and used an alias to evade arrest. Matter of Rodriguez Pena, 29 I&N Dec. 358 (BIA 2025)
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that evidence that a respondent had a legal right to enter, live, work, and own property indefinitely in the country of proposed resettlement demonstrates that the respondent was offered “some other type of permanent resettlement.” Matter of L–T–A–, 29 I&N Dec. 362 (BIA 2025)
AILA Governance, AILA Announcements
Results of the 2025 Bylaws Amendments vote.
12/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121931.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the contents of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin, with discussion of the December travel bans and the extension of the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) Category.
Federal Court Cases
In Neguse v. ICE, a federal judge stayed DHS’s Oversight Visit Policies for Members of Congress (MOC) under Section 705 of the Administrative Procedure Act, finding that the policies exceeded DHS’s statutory authority. The order applies to all MOC and has immediate effect. (Neguse v. ICE, 12/17/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS updated the list of countries subject to the visa bond pilot program established by the 8/5/26 temporary final rule to add Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan, to be implemented 1/1/26.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The CBP 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.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submits a comment to USCIS urging the consideration of a tiered fee structure for Forms I-956 and I-956F and proposing clarifications for dependents of investors filing form I-829 without the investor, among other asks.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for January 2026, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 18, 2025.
12/18/25
Practice Resources
On December 15, 2025, DHS published a Federal Register notice announcing that it is terminating Family Reunification Parole (“FRP”) processes announced, or updated, by DHS in 2023. The Verification and Documentation Committee provides details and compliance considerations in this practice alert.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the January 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” the Diversity Visa (DV) program, scheduled expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers (SR) category, U.S. government employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and more.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert addressing reports that some H-1B and H-4 visa appointments at consular posts have been unilaterally rescheduled from December 2025 to spring 2026.
Practice Resources
AILA’s EB-5 committee provides a practice pointer on the 9/30/2026 grandfathering deadline and provides considerations for skeleton filings and pre-filing based upon partial investments.
Professional Resources
The 2025 AILA Practice Pulse offers essential insights into the economics, technology, well-being, and trends shaping immigration law. Designed for all practice types, this data-rich study is a roadmap for the future of immigration law practice. Download now!
Practice Resources
Explore five categories of our well-being resources for what you need most right now.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee provides a practice alert on the 12/16/25 Presidential Proclamation expanding the 6/4/25 travel ban.
AILA Blog
AILA Law Journal authors Lisa Jacobs, Jessica Heldman, and Sarah Diaz share more about the inherent injustice in the use of juvenile records in immigration proceedings and why the practice, which causes irreparable harm to children, must stop.
12/17/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121767.
Practice Resources
AILA received confirmation from USCIS that the double edition dates on all form types were a technical error that has now been resolved. The edition date of 11/19/2025 is solely associated with the new Form I-140G.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 17, 2025.
12/17/25
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
ICE notice of extension of Forms I-312, Designation of Attorney in Fact, and I-312A, Revocation of Designation of Attorney in Fact, used by immigration bond obligors to designate or revoke designation of a third party to accept returned collateral. Comments are due 2/13/26. (90 FR 58027, 12/15/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that, effective 12/12/25, USCIS will limit photos used to create immigration documents to those that were taken within three years of the date a person files a USCIS form. Photos must also be taken by USCIS or other authorized entities.
12/17/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121764.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE and E-Verify issued announcements regarding the termination of TPS for Ethiopia. The TPS designation and related benefits will terminate 2/13/26. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under this designation will also expire 2/13/26.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that respondent’s repeated violations of workplace safety regulations, resulting in deaths of two employees, were significant adverse factors and weighed against a favorable exercise of discretion for cancellation purposes. Matter of Lema Mizhirumbay, 29 I&N Dec. 351 (BIA 2025)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner failed to exhaust her challenge to the IJ’s determination that her second motion to reopen was numerically barred, and found that it lacked jurisdiction to review the BIA’s discretionary refusal to reopen proceedings sua sponte. (Herrera v. Bondi, 12/15/25)
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 Centro Sector of California. The waiver is effective 12/16/2025. (90 FR 58258, 12/16/2025)
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, January 13.
12/16/25
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The White House released a fact sheet on the 12/16/25 Presidential Proclamation expanding the 6/4/25 travel ban, effective 1/1/26. It imposes full restrictions on 5 more countries and individuals with Palestinian Authority-issued documentation and partial restrictions on 15 more countries.
12/16/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121604.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
On 12/16/25, President Trump issued a proclamation continuing and expanding restrictions on entry of foreign nationals from certain countries. Thirty-nine countries and individuals traveling with Palestinian Authority-issued documents now have full or partial restrictions. (90 FR 59717, 12/19/25)
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that IJ’s predictive factual findings based on a series of suppositions regarding the harm respondent would likely suffer in Panama were clearly erroneous and did not support a grant of Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection. Matter of L–A–G–B–, 29 I&N Dec. 343 (BIA 2025)
Professional Resources
This suite of resources tailored to immigration law professionals seeking to understand, implement, and ethically navigate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their practice. Resources range from how-to guides and sample documents to expert-led CLE courses and updates on government use of AI.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA found the IJ erred in holding that respondent, who engaged in systemic criminal fraud for decades, warranted a favorable exercise of discretion for cancellation purposes based on his recent remorse and rehabilitative efforts while in prison. Matter of Kim, 29 I&N Dec. 339 (BIA 2025)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 16, 2025.
12/16/25
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
ICE notice of extension of Electronic Bonds Online (eBonds) Access, which ICE uses to grant access to eBonds and to notify the public of the duties and responsibilities associated with accessing eBonds. Comments are due 2/13/25. (90 FR 58028, 12/15/25)
Agency Memos & Announcements
On 10/27/25, ICE issued Policy Memo 11066.2, rescinding prior guidance and affirming ICE's authority to request and use certain HHS data, including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) information, for immigration enforcement when permitted by law.
Practice Resources
AILA’s EB-5 Committee provides a practice pointer regarding USCIS scrutiny of investor financing from affiliated lenders.
Congressional Updates
AILA sent a vote recommendation to House Members on 12/15/25 urging a NO vote on H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act.
Practice Resources
AILA provides a practice pointer with what we know about the Gold Card, along with tips and ethical considerations for attorneys with clients considering the card.