ECAS, EOIR's online filing system, is experiencing an unplanned outage since 11:00 ET today.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS NPRM on employment authorization for asylum applicants. Among other changes, the rule would stop acceptance of applicants’ EAD applications when average affirmative asylum processing time exceeds 180 days and extend the wait to apply to 365 days. Comments are due 4/24/36. (91 FR 8616, 2/23/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On January 16, 2026, DHS issued an Interim Final Rule removing the one-year abroad requirement for R-1 nonimmigrants who reach their authorized period of stay. The USCIS Benefits Policy Committee provides this pointer breaking down the IFR and highlighting outstanding considerations.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court granted rehearing en banc and vacated the prior panel order addressing the Ninth Circuit’s automatic administrative stay procedures in immigration cases. (Rojas-Epinoza, et al. v. Bondi, 2/20/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
HHS request for comments on a one-year extension with revisions of multiple forms approved for the Placement and Transfer of Unaccompanied [Alien] Children into ORR Care Provider Facilities. Comments are due 3/23/26. (91 FR 7992, 2/19/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court vacated submission, ordered supplemental briefing, and invited amicus briefs on whether the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule at 8 CFR §1208.33(a) is consistent with INA §208. (Garcia Morales, et al. v. Bondi, 2/18/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA ED Ben Johnson offers some key facts and figures about the harm caused by the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, writing that while “President Donald Trump is expected to use the 2026 State of the Union to defend his immigration crackdown...the numbers tell a very different story.”
2/23/26
AILA Doc. No. 26022305.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join our introductory roundtable on Mar. 4th, where AILA staff and volunteer leaders will provide a comprehensive overview of your benefits and answer any questions. Secure your spot by registering today.
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join us on Feb 27th for a rountable where you will hear from various speakers regarding their career journeys and the different paths they took in immigration law so you can understand all the options available to you!
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join us on Feb 25th for a roundtable that explores what it means to run (and work in) a human-centered immigration practice when the system itself is unpredictable and emotionally charged.
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join us on Mar. 3rd for a seminar where our panel of experts will offer real-world scenarios of unexpected situations that could sabotage the hearing and offer best practices to salvage the case.
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court upheld the denial of petitioner’s motion to reopen her in absentia removal order, finding that her ineffective assistance claim failed to satisfy Matter of Lozada’s requirement that counsel document filing a disciplinary complaint. (Rodriguez Irias, et al. v. Bondi, 2/17/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA erred by failing to consider potentially significant evidence the petitioner provided independent of his testimony pertaining to his likelihood of future persecution and torture, as relevant to his asylum and related claims. (Khanal, et al. v. Bondi, 2/18/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Join us on Feb. 24th for a seminar where panelists will discuss recent trends in AOS interviews and offer practical strategies for mitigating vulnerabilities as policies continue to evolve.
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court upheld the denial of asylum as to the Guatemalan petitioner, who alleged years of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of her former partner, finding that she failed to develop any challenge to the legal and factual bases for the BIA’s ruling. (Cante Mijangos v. Bondi, 2/18/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 23, 2026.
2/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to inform your clients of the Executive Order on birthright citizenship, its current status, and its impacts if enacted. The flyer is available as a generic PDF version as well as a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Family‑based cases are more complex than ever. The new edition of Immigration Law and the Family gives practitioners clear, practical guidance on petitions, admissibility, waivers, and consular issues—so you can spot problems early and move cases forward with confidence. Order your copy today.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements, Federal Agencies
DHS will publish an NPRM changing EAD application requirements for asylum seekers. It would stop acceptance of asylum seekers' applications when average affirmative asylum processing time is over 180 days, extend the wait to apply to a year, and change processing time and eligibility requirements.
Accessible to Public.
Featured Issues, Policy Briefs
AILA presents a series of policy briefs examining the real‑world consequences of the Trump Administration’s first year and outlining a forward‑looking framework for reform. Together, these briefs show why America needs a better way forward and how we can achieve it.
2/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26021804.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for March 2026, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the March 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” the Diversity Visa program, availability of family-sponsored and employment-based visas, extension of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers category, Special Immigrant Visas, and more.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a background check remand is limited to the IJ's consideration of DHS’s background check results and issuance of a final order on the underlying relief, and that any new relief must be sought through a separate motion to reopen. Matter of L–S–C–R–, 29 I&N Dec. 451 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The Verification and Documentation Committees provides a comprehensive chart on current status, key updates, and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 20, 2026.
2/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
The January 2026 GMS E-Bulletin provides the latest updates from around the Globe, introductions of new GMS members, and useful information for your practice!
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal, International Associate.
Professional Resources
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is understanding your emotions as well as others’, and being able to communicate with them in healthy ways. This article illustrates how immigration lawyers can apply EQ in many daily instances and offers resources for expanding your EQ.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Equip your staff with AILA’s Guide to Immigration Law for Paralegals. This clear, practice‑focused reference helps paralegals master core immigration concepts, procedures, and case support so they can assist attorneys more effectively—every day. Order the guide today.
Accessible to Public.
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.
2/20/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Directors of Government Relations Greg Chen and Shev Dalal-Dheini introduce AILA’s A Better Way on Immigration policy brief series about the Trump Administration’s destructive changes to the immigration system and the key steps to build a system that reflects our values and benefits us all.
2/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 26021903.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOS and DOL Committees provide an update on visa issuance pause for commercial truck drivers, including guidance from Mission Mexico, and updates on the injunction to Dept. of Transportation (DOT) Interim Final Rule.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
You know a deepfake photo or video when you see one... Right? Wrong. As these items get better, systems for verification become increasingly important.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On February 18, 2026, Judge Sykes vacated the Board’s decision in Matter of Yajure Hurtado. AILA urges members to submit this order with bond requests and report IJ responses. The Acacia Center is also collecting data on bond decisions post-Maldonado Bautista.
2/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 26011404.
Accessible to Public.
Policy Briefs
This brief explores the impact of recent changes to USCIS policy promoting “extreme vetting” and how a smarter, risk‑based approach to screening and vetting can enhance security while preserving fairness, efficiency, and constitutional principles.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The District Court for the Central District of California ruled that DHS is continuing to detain individuals who are eligible to receive bond in violation of the case's final judgement. The ruling also vacates the BIA's decision in Matter of Yajure Hurtado. (Matter of Maldonado Bautista, 2/18/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Policy Briefs
Significant changes at DOS have weakened U.S. economic power, global influence, and credibility by slowing and halting visa processing. This brief analyzes these changes and how DOS can leverage and improve upon proven tools to safeguard national security and advance prosperity.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA National shares information on how federal agencies may be affected as a result of the potential partial government shutdown. This page will continue to be updated as more information is received.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
USCIS and ICE Directors released a memo stating USCIS and ICE policy on detaining refugees who have not applied to adjust to LPR status after one year. DHS will arrest such refugees and may detain them for the duration of the inspection and examination process.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 19, 2026.
2/19/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Take the guesswork out of PERM with AILA’s Guide to PERM Labor Certification. This comprehensive, practice‑ready resource delivers clear strategy, step‑by‑step guidance, and proven templates to help you navigate recruitment, wages, audits, and appeals with confidence. Order your copy today.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
Member Experience Committee members Roman Zelichenko, Whitney Wootton & Elizabeth Wood describe how local chapters help “us meet colleagues, share information, and build real friendships that make our work easier,” as they offer some simple ways to plug in and participate.
2/18/26
AILA Doc. No. 26021803.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join the Business Section for their February 2026 quarterly call.
2/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 18, 2026.
2/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee provides a resource with recommended strategies for practitioners assisting their clients with H-1B appointment cancellations, TCN filings, and expedite requests.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that, based on the petitioner’s extensive allegations and evidence of marriage fraud regarding the approved visa petition, the record should be returned to USCIS to further consider the visa petition and take action as warranted. Matter of Jin, 29 I&N Dec. 441 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Tutorial Videos
This video provides six steps attorneys can take when faced with procrastination.
Speaker: Ritu Goswamy
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner automatically became a U.S. citizen when his mother naturalized in 1998, because his paternity had not been established “by legitimation” under the then-governing derivative citizenship statute, former INA §321(a)(3). (Lopez v. Bondi, 2/13/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the IJ and BIA abused their discretion by applying a categorical rule that traffic delays cannot constitute exceptional circumstances to reopen in absentia removal orders and failed to consider the totality of the circumstances. (Montejo-Gonzalez v. Bondi, 2/5/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
The AILA Law Journal seeks submissions related to immigration and the expansion of executive authority for its Fall 2026 issue. Articles must be within the range of 2,500-7,000 words, including citations. The submission deadline is 7/13/26.
2/18/26
AILA Doc. No. 19072960.
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.
2/18/26
Accessible to Public.