AILA Blog
AILA Policy and Practice Counsel Heather Hogan urges readers to take action and tell Congress to reject increased funding for detention beds, explaining how this funding would mean “a dangerous expansion of a system that is already deadly, wasteful, and deeply flawed. We need to act now to stop it.”
1/13/26
AILA Doc. No. 26011300.
Featured Issues
This page provides key information on the FY2027 H‑1B cap-subject filing season. It will be updated with official announcements, policy guidance, and tools to assist practitioners. Check back often for filing dates, regulatory updates, and compliance resources to ensure timely, accurate submissions.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 13, 2026.
1/13/26
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the February 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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE posted an update regarding USCIS’ 12/4/25 policy update reducing the maximum validity period of initial and renewal employment authorizations documents (EADS) for some categories, including asylum seekers, from five years to 18 months. This applies to those filed or pending on or after 12/5/25.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a final rule increasing USCIS premium processing fees, effective 3/1/26. Requests for premium processing postmarked on or after 3/1/26 must include the new fee amount for the benefit being requested. (91 FR 1059, 1/12/26)
Practice Resources
The Verification and Documentation Committees provides a comprehensive chart on current status, key updates, and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
AILA Blog
Erin Sweeney, from AILA’s Member Experience Committee, writes about her experience as a law student and new member and highlights the ways the New Jersey chapter has helped connect those new to the field with experienced practitioners, encouraging other chapters to do the same.
1/12/26
AILA Doc. No. 26011205.
Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides a USCIS filed office and ASC guide to assist members with the most up-to-date information when representing clients at each of the offices nationwide. The guide is subject to change and requests for updates must be sent directly to the regional leads.
1/12/26
AILA Doc. No. 22050952.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the denial of Convention Against Torture (CAT) relief and that the BIA did not err in rejecting the petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim pursuant to Matter of Lozada. (Gutierrez-Mikan, et al. v. Att’y Gen., 1/5/26)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the Guatemalan petitioner, who alleged domestic abuse by her former partner, failed to establish a nexus between the abuse and a protected ground, and did not show a likelihood of torture with government acquiescence. (Aguilar-Hernandez, et al. v. Bondi, 1/6/26)
AILA Announcements
The American Immigration Lawyers Association urges Congress to oppose the reported push for 44,500 immigration detention beds in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. Use AILA’s advocacy tool to call your member of Congress.
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.
1/12/26
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 January 12, 2026.
1/12/26
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that death threats alone rarely rise to the level of persecution and only do so if they are objectively credible and issued by a person or persons with the immediate ability to carry them out. Matter of E–M–F–S–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 379 (BIA 2026)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of extension without change of Forms G-1190, Application for Free Training for Civics and Citizenship Teachers of Adults; and G-1515, Civics and Citizenship Toolkit. Comments are due 3/9/26. (91 FR 514, 1/7/26)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
IRS notice and request for comments of the extension of Form 2063, U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax Statement. Comments are due 3/9/26. (91 FR 764, 1/8/26)
1/12/26
AILA Doc. No. 26011200.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
ICE notice of the extension without change of the information collection Departure Notification Record, reinstated 12/22/25. DHS will use a mobile application, currently CBP Home, to collect this information. Comments are due 3/9/26. (91 FR 717, 1/8/26)
1/9/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010905.
Practice Resources
USCIS announced today, January 9, 2026, that it has commenced reexamining thousands of refugee cases approved between 2021-early 2025 through an operation called PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening). It is initially focusing on 5,600 refugees in Minnesota.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS posted an update on countries subject to visa bonds. The announcement adds 6 airports to the list of required ports of entry through which individuals who have posted visa bonds must enter and exit the U.S., effective 1/1/26.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS will publish a final rule on 1/12/26 increasing fees for premium processing. The rule will be effective 3/1/26 and requests for premium processing postmarked on or after that date must include the increased fee for the specific benefit being requested. An advance copy of the rule is available.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced the launch of Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening) to reexamine refugee cases, beginning with refugees in Minnesota without lawful permanent resident status. This will include new background checks, reinterviews, and merit reviews.
Immigration News
The December 2025 GMS E-Bulletin provides the latest updates from around the Globe, introductions of new GMS members, and useful information for your practice!
Practice Resources
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) published a final rule adding Section 608.11 to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), clarifying that a postmark no longer represents the date a mail piece was deposited with USPS. Please see this practice alert for more details and considerations for practitioners.
1/9/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010962.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides provides an overview of the interplay between ETA Form 9141 and ETA Form 9089 and pointers on how to avoid an RFI when filing for PERM. The Committee requests examples dispositions for RFRs and BALCA appeals, when denials have been issued.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 9, 2026.
1/9/26
Congressional Updates, Correspondence
AILA urges Congress to oppose the reported push for 44,500 immigration detention beds in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. This request represents poor taxpayer dollar stewardship that will primarily enrich private prison corporations and misses a critical opportunity for Congressional oversight.
Practice Resources
On January 6, 2026, USCIS updated the TPS websites for Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua to reflect the December 31, 2025 decision in National TPS Alliance et al. v. Noem et al. Please see practice alert for employer implications.
Professional Resources
If you don't hear from a client after several attempts at communication, do you have the have grounds for withdrawal? In this bite-sized ethics article, learn more about the circumstances in which an attorney can withdraw without violating ethics rules.
Professional Resources
This quick article breaks down credit card surcharges, how they work and how you should handle them in your firm.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 8, 2026.
1/8/26
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 25 more countries, to be implemented 1/21/26. Nationals of the listed countries must post bonds of $5,000-$15,000 to travel to the U.S. on B1/B2 visas.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides a brief overview of the group assignments for H-2B, Form 9142B.
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.
Tutorial Videos, Professional Resources
Mindful walking is an excellent way to get out of a stressful and anxious head and feel your feet upon the earth. With walking meditation, the point is to arrive in the present moment with each step. Practice walking mindfully with this AILA Moment of Mindfulness Recording.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 7, 2026.
1/7/26
Practice Resources
The Verification and Documentation Committee provide this practice pointer discussing impacts and considerations surrounding the Ohio E-Verify Law, which takes effect on March 19, 2026.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify announced the reintroduction of a feature that allows users to manage Point of Contact (POC) information directly within their accounts. E-Verify requests that employers log into their accounts to review and update contact information for their POCs and users.
Chapter Documents
2026 Philadelphia Chapter's Annual CLE Conference
March 27, 2026
Convene
30 S 17th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
This event is being presented by AILA's Philadelphia's Chapter. This event is not being organized by the AILA National Office.
1/6/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010605.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify announced that employers now have until 1/22/26 to download records for E-Verify cases last updated on or before 12/31/15. On 1/23/26, USCIS will dispose of these E-Verify records.
Federal Agencies, AILA Announcements
EOIR Director issued Policy Memorandum 26-01 on the annual asylum fee. EOIR will waive the fee for asylum applications that were pending for one year or more 4/5/25-9/30/25 and administratively final as of 9/30/25. EOIR will apply the fee to applications pending for one year or more as of 10/1/25.
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.
AILA Blog
AILA Board of Governors Member Andrew Nietor calls for America to make some resolutions this New Year, writing that we must “remember that being a nation of immigrants is not a weakness to manage but an opportunity and a strength we must cultivate and steward.”
1/6/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010602.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 6, 2026.
1/6/26
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the contents of the January 2026 visa bulletin.
Chapter Documents
Broken Systems, Open Hearts: 2026 Georgia-Alabama Chapter Annual Conference
February 13, 2026
Emory Conference Center
Atlanta, GA
This event is being presented by AILA's Georgia-Alabama Chapter. This event is not being organized by the AILA National Office.
1/6/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010600.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC published the assignment groups for 10,062 H-2B applications covering 162,603 worker positions with the start date of work of 4/1/26. Group A includes enough worker positions to reach the H-2B semi-annual visa allotment of 33,000.
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 Del Rio Sector of Texas. The waiver is effective 12/30/2025. (90 FR 61158, 12/30/2025)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
CBP interim final rule and request for comments on CBP transitioning to electronic refunds, subject to limited exceptions. The rule outlines the process for receiving electronic refunds and, in case of a waiver, paper checks. The rule is effective 2/6/26. Comments are due 3/3/26. (91 FR 21, 1/2/26)
AILA Blog
AILA member Muhammed Üzüm explains why talking with candidates and employers about cap-independent options such as O-1 and L-1 visas that may fit their circumstances is crucial given the uncertainty surrounding the cost and timing of H-1B visa petitions.
1/5/26