Recent Postings

1 - 50 of 76
AILA Blog

Think Immigration: Citizenship as a Weapon: Is Denaturalization an Increasing Threat?

Gunda Brost, Past Chair of the AILA IA-NE Chapter, describes how citizenship and denaturalization have been used by nations over human history and what the new actions around denaturalization efforts by the Trump Administration might presage.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090205. Naturalization & Citizenship
Memo & Regulatory Comments

AILA Submits Comment Requesting Improvements to Form DS-260

AILA submits a comment to DOS urging the agency to adopt clarifying language in the DS-260 to reduce confusion for applicants using the form.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090204. Consular Processing
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – September 2, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 2, 2025.

9/2/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Cable on Religious Exceptions to the Travel Ban

DOS released a cable providing guidance to posts on which ethnic minorities are excepted from the June 4, 2025, Presidential Proclamation.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090203. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Cable on National Interest Exceptions to the Travel Ban

DOS released a cable detailing how applicants can be approved for a national interest exception on a case-by-case basis.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090202. Consular Processing
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: National Interest Exceptions to the Proclamation Suspending Visa Issuance

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert on national interest exceptions for visa applicants subject to the June 4, 2025 Presidential Proclamation.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25062505. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Cable on the Sports Exception to the Travel Ban

DOS released a cable explaining the sports exception to the June 4, 2025, Presidential Proclamation “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090201. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Cable on Presidential Proclamation Restricting Entry of Foreign Nationals from Certain Countries

DOS released a cable on Presidential Proclamation 10949, Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.

9/2/25 AILA Doc. No. 25090200. Consular Processing
AILA Announcements

Expert Witnesses for Immigration Court and Appeals

Join AILA’s web seminar on September 16, 2025, from 2:00–3:30pm ET to learn how to effectively identify, prepare, and present expert witnesses in immigration court and appeals. Gain strategies to strengthen your case and meet evidentiary standards.

9/2/25
AILA Announcements

38th Annual AILA CA Chapters Conference and Webcast

Join the 2025 AILA California Chapters Conference, Nov. 13–15 in Long Beach or via webcast. Gain insights on cutting-edge immigration issues from top experts while earning CLEs and connecting with colleagues statewide. Don’t miss this premier West Coast event!

9/1/25
AILA Announcements

The Verdict Is In: Asylum Practitioners Can Count on AILA's Asylum Primer to Help Them Win Cases

According to Lindsay M. Harris, Director of the Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Clinic at the USF School of Law, AILA's Asylum Primer "is chock full of practice pointers and tips to support asylum lawyering. No asylum attorney should be without it!" Order your copy today.

Agency Memos & Announcements

CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program Issues Bulletin on ESTA/EVUS Fee Increase

CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program issued a bulletin on the ESTA/EVUS fee increase as required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082836. Admissions & Border
Examples & Questions

Call for Examples: Change in Adjudication of L-1 Blanket Applications at U.S. Consulates

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee has received reports of increased L-1 Blanket visa application denials. Please help the committee track this issue by submitting specific examples of changes to L-1 Blanket adjudications at U.S. Consulates.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082835. Business Immigration, Consular Processing
AILA Announcements

Immigration Regulations, Edited and Formatted by Immigration Lawyers

Our 2025 edition of Immigration Regulations (CFR) contains all of Title 8 in Volume I. Volume II includes immigration-related sections of Titles 6, 19, 20, 22, 28, 29, 42, and 45. Updates include H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B modernization; rules on credible and reasonable fear screenings; and more.

8/28/25
AILA Announcements

Easily Find the Statutes You Need

AILA's 2025 edition of the INA also includes immigration-related statutes that appear in Title 8 of the USC but aren't part of the INA. Updates include the incorporation of the Lanken Riley Act, which was signed on 1/29/25. AILA editors have added informational annotations offering valuable context.

8/28/25
FR Regulations & Notices

OFLC Announces Implementation Steps Following District Court Vacatur of 2023 H-2A AEWR Final Rule

On 8/25/25, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana vacated the 2023 H-2A AEWR Final Rule, reverting AEWR rates to the 2010 methodology. The Department of Labor is implementing the vacatur and will provide further guidance as needed.

Practice Resources

Practice Alert: OFLC to Archive Searchable FAQ Database as of Aug. 30, 2025

AILA's DOL Liaison Committee shares key points, practice implications, and recommended actions to take given DOL's recent announcement of archival of the FAQ database.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082864. Labor Certification (Permanent)
Examples & Questions

Call for Examples: Threats to Attorneys of Ethical Sanctions and Criminal Prosecutions

AILA is seeking examples from members regarding the impact these threats have had on them directly, on their practice, and on their representation of clients for purposes of advocacy and possible litigation.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082863.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Announces Policy Requiring IV Applicants to Interview in Their Country of Residence

DOS will now require immigrant visa applicants to interview in the consular district that is designated for their country of residence.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082862. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DHS NPRM on Fixed Period of Admission and Extension of Stay Procedures for F, J, and I Visas

DHS NPRM proposing to change the admission period in the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and I (representatives of foreign information media) classifications from duration of status to admission for a fixed period. Comments due 9/28/25. (90 FR 42070, 8/28/25)

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082764. Students & Schools
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DOJ Final Rule on Designation of Temporary Immigration Judges

EOIR final rule amending the regulatory requirements for candidates for Temporary Immigration Judge appointment, broadening the candidate pool significantly. The rule is effective 8/28/25. (90 FR 41883, 8/28/25)

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082733. Removal & Relief
Examples & Questions

Call for Questions: CBP Committee Fall 2025 Liaison Meeting with CBP Office of Field Operations

AILA’s CBP Committee is soliciting non-case specific questions to inform the creation of an agenda for a liaison meeting with representatives from the CBP Office of Field Operations.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082861. Admissions & Border
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – August 28, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 28, 2025.

8/28/25
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: AILA and National Immigration Project Issue Guidance on CHIRLA v. Noem Order

Federal court stays DHS policies targeting previously paroled individuals for expedited removal. AILA and the National Immigration Project issue guidance for attorneys on raising the CHIRLA v. Noem order in expedited removal cases.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25080502. Detention & Bond, Expedited Removal, Removal & Relief
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

OFLC Announces Archival of Searchable Frequently Asked Questions Database

As part of the modernization of the Department of Labor’s websites, OFLC will be archiving the searchable Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database, and moving it to a new location. Once the page is archived, OFLC will not be making any further updates to the searchable database.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082832. Business Immigration
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

OFLC Announces Annual Determination of H-2A Labor Supply States for U.S. Worker Recruitment

OFLC has announced the annual determination of H-2A labor supply states, which are additional states in which an employer’s job order will be circulated and additional recruitment may be required. The determination is effective 8/27/25.

8/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082831. Business Immigration, H-2A Agricultural Worker
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: 9 FAM 601.14 Affidavit of Support Requirements Revised

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding DOS’s revision to Affidavit of Support requirements.

8/27/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082734. Consular Processing
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: New FAM Volumes 19 & 20 — Cybersecurity and AI Use by DOS

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert concerning new FAM protocols on cybersecurity and AI use.

8/27/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082732. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

EOIR Policy Memo (PM 25-43) Regarding Employee Feedback

EOIR Acting Director Sirce E. Owen released a Policy Memorandum (PM 25-43) establishing EOIR policy regarding employee feedback, particularly in light of the recent announcement by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of the cancellation of the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS).

8/27/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082731. Removal & Relief
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: Termination of TPS for Nepal

On August 20, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the government’s request to stay a district court order that had continued TPS for Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua and postponed their termination. USCIS has since removed Nepal from the list of countries designated for TPS.

Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

USCIS Policy Memorandum on Resuming Personal Investigations of Naturalization Applicants

USCIS announced in a Policy Memorandum (PM-602-0189) that it is resuming personal investigations (also known as neighborhood investigations) of people applying for naturalization, in accordance with section 335(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

8/27/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082763. Naturalization & Citizenship
Federal Court Cases

Partial stay ordered in CHIRLA v. NOEM

On August 18, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a partial administrative stay of the District Court’s order while it considers the government’s motion for a stay pending appeal.

Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DOL Notice of Transition to Electronic Payments and Disbursements

DOL notice that, effective 9/30/25, DOL will no longer accept paper checks as a form of payment or issue paper checks as payments, as directed in Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account.” (90 FR 41843, 8/27/25)

8/27/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082761. Business Immigration
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – August 27, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 27, 2025.

8/27/25
Agency Memos & Announcements, Featured Issues

DHS Issues Waiver for Border Wall in Texas

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed a waiver to expedite construction of five miles of new border wall in Starr and Hidalgo Counties in Texas. This is the seventh such waive the Secretary has signed. About 100 miles of new border wall is currently under construction or planned.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082636. Admissions & Border
Practice Resources

How to Incorporate Low Bono Representation into Your Practice

Low bono representation expands an attorney’s ability to help immigrants with compelling cases. Anne Relias, a member of AILA’s Pro Bono Committee, shares how she incorporates low bono into her practice, with details about identifying clients, local partners, fees, and other considerations.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 23061307.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

Deaths at Adult Detention Centers

AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 16050900. Detention & Bond, Removal & Relief
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

Federal Court Orders Agricultural Employer to Pay $427K in Wages, Fines for H-2A Violations

A federal court has ordered Grimmway Enterprises Inc., a major agricultural employer, to pay $427,456 in back wages and penalties after a DOL investigation determined H-2A workers and corresponding U.S. workers were underpaid and subjected to unsafe housing conditions and transportation.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082635. Business Immigration, H-2A Agricultural Worker
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver for Construction of Border Wall in Texas (Rio Grande Valley Sector)

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 with Mexico in the Rio Grande Valley Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 8/26/25. (90 FR 41589, 8/26/25)

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082633. Admissions & Border
Practice Resources

Practice Pointer: September 2025 Visa Bulletin Briefing

The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the September 2025 visa bulletin which highlights that DOS expects to reach FY 2025 category limits in most employment-based preference categories during August and September.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082632. Consular Processing
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: Changes to 9 FAM 302.2-6(B)(2) — “Removal of COVID Vaccine Requirement”

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert concerning the revision of 9 FAM 302.2-6(B)(2) to remove the COVID vaccination requirement.

8/26/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082631. Consular Processing
Immigration News

Daily Immigration News Clips – August 26, 2025

Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 26, 2025.

8/26/25
AILA Announcements

Confidently Represent Foreign-Born Defendants

Skillfully navigate the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity is the trusted, go-to for lawyers fashioning a plea with immigration consequences in mind and preparing immigration applications for clients with a criminal record.

8/26/25
Sample Briefs

Sample Brief: Notice of Supplemental Facts on 221(g) Refusals – FOIA Visa Data

Plaintiff filed supplemental facts attaching a FOIA response from the Department of State concerning outcomes of visa refusals under INA § 221(g), offered to challenge the government’s assertion that such refusals are final and unreviewable.

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082508. Consular Processing
Sample Briefs

Sample Brief: Rebutting DOS 221(g) Arguments with FOIA Facts

Plaintiff’s counsel filed a practice advisory challenging the Department of State’s position that 221(g) refusals are final and unreviewable, citing agency guidance and FOIA responses to show that such cases may be reopened and adjudicated.

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082507. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

EOIR Policy Memo (PM 25-42) on Adjudicator Independence and Impartiality

EOIR Acting Director Sirce E. Owen published a Policy Memo (PM 25-42) establishing updated guidance regarding the independence and impartiality of EOIR adjudicators. This memo supersedes and replaces PM 21-15.

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082506. Removal & Relief
Sample Briefs

Sample Brief: Memo Supporting Motion to Dismiss Visa Delay

The government argued the plaintiff’s F-1 visa was lawfully refused under INA § 221(g), fulfilling the consular officer’s duty. Relying on consular nonreviewability, defendants claimed courts cannot review visa refusals, and a six-month delay does not constitute unreasonable delay under TRAC.

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082505. Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing
Sample Briefs

Sample Brief:  FOIA Response on Visa Refusals

The Department of State responded to a FOIA request by releasing a partially redacted visa adjudications record, citing statutory exemptions and harm standards. It confirmed non-exempt material was disclosed and provided a summary of FOIA exemptions and withholding grounds.

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082504.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

DOL Notice Rescinding FAQ Prohibiting Single H2-A Employer Filing for Staggered Dates of Need

DOL notice rescinding an FAQ issued by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification on 7/22/11 prohibiting employers from filing a single temporary agricultural labor certification to hire nonimmigrant workers under the H-2A visa classification after the first date of need. (90 FR 41413, 8/25/25)

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082503. Business Immigration, H-2A Agricultural Worker
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

Presidential Permit Authorizing Pedestrian Border Crossing at Gateway International Bridge

On 8/20/25, President Trump granted a permit to Cameron County, Texas to construct, maintain, and operate a pedestrian crossing at the Gateway International Bridge Land Port of Entry located on the United States border with Mexico in Brownsville, Texas. (90 FR 41499, 8/25/25)

8/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25082139. Admissions & Border