Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
On 9/11/25, USCIS issued a Public Status Report containing class member asylum data for Ahmed v. DHS. The class action lawsuit challenged DHS’s failure to adjudicate asylum applications for Afghans who arrived in the U.S. under “Operation Allies Welcome” within Congress’s 150-day deadline.
Immigration News
Border Report highlights AILA's recent press briefing about the Trump Administration's latest far-reaching immigration restrictions. AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson stated: "These sweeping restrictions will not make our nation safer."
AILA Announcements
Urge Congress to oppose the indefinite pause on asylum and immigration processing and urge DHS to rescind these harmful policies.
12/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120905.
AILA Announcements
Call your representative to oppose the asylum and immigration pause and demand USCIS return to fair, timely processing for our communities.
12/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120904.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding a FAM update that provides for the issuance of B-1 visas to FIFA-accredited volunteers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the U.S.
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 Yuma Sector of California and Arizona. The waiver is effective 12/9/2025. (90 FR 57089, 12/9/2025)
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 Rio Grande Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 12/9/2025. (90 FR 57088, 12/9/2025)
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.
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.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 9, 2025.
12/9/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The CIS Ombudsman released a redacted 2025 Annual Report to the public. The report focuses on alleged exploitation of the CHNV and U4U parole programs, document authentication at ASCs, digitizing USCIS records, addressing typos in secure identity documents, and resolving NTA service errors.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced the establishment of the USCIS Vetting Center, a specialized unit to be headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The stated purpose of the unit is to "centralize the enhanced vetting" of applicants and "allow the agency to respond more nimbly to changes in a shifting threat landscape."
12/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120806.
Practice Resources
On November 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register Notice terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, effective February 3, 2026. Please see this practice alert for information on impact to employees and employers of TPS Haiti beneficiaries.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that threats from masked men, two brief beatings, and a short detention of the Sikh Mann party member petitioner did not rise to the level of past persecution, and found that he could avoid future persecution by relocating within India. (Singh v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the denial of asylum and other relief, finding that petitioner’s proposed PSGs were not cognizable, that internal relocation was reasonable, and that she failed to show a likelihood of torture. (Cristales-de Linares, et al. v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Practice Resources
On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced changes to the maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain categories. Please see this practice alert for more details and practical implications.
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, December 16.
12/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 8, 2025.
12/8/25
Policy Briefs
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C., the Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns. This brief analyzes these new restrictions, why they are not needed, and policy recommendations.
Featured Issues
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the Administration announced multiple policy changes significantly restricting legal immigration. This page brings together updates and resources about these changes.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Denying the petition for review, the court held that the relevant Controlled Substances Act (CSA) definition for determining removability under INA §237(a)(2)(B)(i) is the one in effect at the time of the noncitizen’s conviction, not at the time of removal proceedings. (Dor v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-28) updating the Policy Manual to clarify USCIS policy on obtaining biometrics for individuals in custody with pending benefit requests with USCIS. The guidance is effective 12/5/25. Feedback is due 1/5/26.
Examples & Questions
We are collecting information on the impact of the sweeping immigration restrictions implemented in late 2025 for travel ban countries and a halt on adjudicating all asylum applications. These examples will be used for advocacy and education purposes, both for external partners and AILA members.
Practice Resources
AILA members report receiving no notice when asylum interviews are scheduled in online-filed asylum cases. This practice alert describes what practitioners do and do not see in their online filing accounts when an asylum interview is scheduled and offers practice tips to avoid missing an interview.
Featured Issues
Americans broadly support granting permanent legal status to dreamers, undocumented immigrants, and people with temporary status. This page compiles resources related to DACA and efforts to gain protections, including paths to cititzenship, for dreamers and others without permanent legal status.
12/5/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120300.
DACA
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 5, 2025.
12/5/25
Practice Resources
AILA National alerts the membership regarding pause on final adjudications of all form types for nationals from travel ban countries. AILA will continue to provide further updates as they become available. Members are encouraged to submit reports to the USCIS Operations Committee.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced it will shorten the validity period of EADs for several categories, including for refugees and asylees, from 5 years to 18 months for applications pending or filed on or after 12/5/25. USCIS also noted the shortened validity period mandated by H.R. 1 for TPS-holders and parolees.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS released a policy alert (PA-2025-27) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period of EADs for many EAD categories, including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, parolees, TPS-holders, and more. Feedback is due 1/5/26.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert on the DOS announcement of expanded screening and vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee met with CBP Office of Field Operations officials in Washington, D.C. on October 17, 2025.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s CBP Committee provides unofficial minutes from its meeting with CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) on 10/17/25. Topics discussed include CBP priorities, biometric exit, and parole, among others.
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 4, 2025.
12/4/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that as of 12/15/25, it will expand online presence review requirements to all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to students and exchange visitors. DOS instructs all such applicants to set their social media profiles to public.
AILA Announcements
Families belong together. In today’s immigration climate, your role as an advocate matters more than ever. The new edition of Immigration Law and the Family gives you updated guidance, practical strategies, and sample materials to help keep families united. Order now and make a difference.
Congressional Updates
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) re-introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act. This bill would enact important reforms to immigration detention for which AILA has long advocated, including requiring DHS to establish civil detention standards. AILA endorses the bill.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s CBP Committee seeks case examples of AOS applicants who have been asked by CBP to pay the $1,000 parole fee upon reentry to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad.
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.
The AILA DOS Liaison Committee meets with the Department of State to discuss issues related to consular processing, including the National Visa Center (NVC) and Kentucky Consular Center matters. The committee also meets with the NVC to address issues relevant to its processes and procedures.
12/3/25
AILA Doc. No. 16072815.
Congressional Updates
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) introduced the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act. This proposed bill would ensure temporary immigration judges have essential expertise in immigration law to enhance the fairness and accuracy of adjudications. AILA endorses this bill.
AILA Blog
AILA Practice and Policy Counsel Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres details the recently introduced Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act and how the bill "is a crucial step towards a fairer and more just immigration court system."
12/3/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120365.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court issued a published an order denying the petitioner’s request for a stay of removal, emphasizing that equitable relief, even if it is temporary or short, is never a matter of right or convenience. (Labrador Gutierrez v. Bondi, 11/26/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s finding that the Colombian government was able to protect petitioner and his family from gang threats, and thus found he failed to show the required nexus for his asylum or withholding claims. (Restrepo Castano v. Bondi, 11/26/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA and IJ failed to properly assess whether the Guatemalan government would acquiesce to petitioner being tortured in prison by private parties who would target him if he returned to Guatemala, and thus remanded his claim for CAT relief. (B.G.S. v. Bondi, 11/24/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 3, 2025.
12/3/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy memo holding asylum applications for all applicants and all pending benefit applications for people from countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10949. It directs re-review of all approved benefit requests for people from those countries who entered on or after 1/20/21.
Practice Resources
Class counsel for Maldonado Bautista provides a practice advisory providing a synopsis of the District Court’s decisions, as well as information for how to request a bond hearing. This advisory also briefly describes potential next steps in the Maldonado Bautista litigation.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC announced that, due to the recent lapse in appropriations, the Employment and Training Administration is delaying publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the new monthly Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for herding or production of livestock on the range under the H-2A program.
Correspondence
On December 2, the H-2B Workforce Coalition Sent a Letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging them to make available 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026. AILA, along with local, state, and national organizations signed on to this letter.