Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 16, 2026.
1/16/26
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS interim final rule and request for comments on removing the one year wait time R-1 religious workers must reside abroad before re-entering the U.S. in R-1 status and replacing it with no minimum wait period. The rule is effective 1/16/26. Comments are due 3/17/26. (91 FR 2049, 1/16/26)
Professional Resources
Virtual meetings have become more common for everyone, requiring effective strategies to maintain professionalism and engagement. This article offers practical advice to enhance the virtual meeting experience.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement announcing Charles Wall as the new Deputy Director of ICE. Previously, Mr. Wall served as ICE's Principal Legal Advisor and has been at ICE since 2012.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the investiture of two Deputy Chief Appellate Immigration Judges, Stephanie E. Gorman and Gregory Radics, and Appellate Immigration Judge Renae M. Hansell on 1/15/26.
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides a brief breakdown of the 01/01/2026 policy memorandum (PM-602-0194). Please note that as of 01/15/2026, USCIS has not issued corresponding pause on adjudications of AOS for nationals of the 75 countries included in the DOS pause announcement.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the serious nonpolitical crime bar to asylum and withholding of removal does not include a duress exception. Matter of D–G–B–L–, 29 I&N Dec. 392 (BIA 2026)
Practice Resources
On January 14, the State Department announced starting January 21, 2026, it will stop immigration visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. Applicants will still be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews, but no new visas will be issued.
Correspondence
AILA sent a letter to President Trump urging all government action be taken to protect individuals currently affected by the ongoing unrest in Iran. The letter offers multiple actions that government agencies should undertake to protect as many individuals as possible.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On January 14, the State Department announced starting January 21, 2026, it will stop immigration visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. Applicants will still be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews, but no new visas will be issued.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 15, 2026.
1/15/26
Congressional Updates, Correspondence
AILA joined an organizational sign-on letter led by the ACLU and other organizations calling on Members of Congress to oppose any increased funding to ICE and CBP through FY2026 appropriations and to demand increased accountability and oversight measures.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that Matter of Laparra is reinstated in the First Circuit and is good law in circuits without contrary precedent, finding that a compliant notice of hearing supports an in absentia removal order despite a defective NTA. Matter of Laparra-Deleon, 29 I&N Dec. 389 (BIA 2026)
FR Regulations & Notices
On 1/12/26, the President issued a continuation for another year of multiple national emergency declarations issued in Proclamation 10886 and Executive Orders 14157, 14193, 14194, and 14195. Notably, Proclamation 10886 declared an emergency at the U.S. Southern Border. (91 FR 1665, 1/14/26)
Tutorial Videos, Professional Resources
Everyone wants to be as productive as they can in their daily work. This three-minute video from AILA member Ritu Goswamy explains how to schedule your workload to take advantage of the times you are more productive and more creative, to become your most productive.
Practice Resources
The Verification and Documentation Committees provides a comprehensive chart on current status, key updates, and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced an interim final rule (IFR) removing the requirement for R-1 religious workers to reside abroad for 1 year after reaching the statutory five-year maximum period of stay in the U.S. Workers still must leave the U.S. before seeking readmission in R-1 status. An advance copy is available.
Practice Resources
On January 13, 2026, EOIR issued nationwide guidance instructing all immigration judges to continue denying access to bond hearings despite recent federal court orders.
1/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26011404.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that DHS Secretary is terminating the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Termination will be effective 3/17/26. EADs issued under this designation will also expire 3/17/26. (91 FR 1547, 1/14/26)
Examples & Questions
AILA's DOL Liaison Committee requests questions from the membership for a potential April 30, 2026 meeting with DOL's Wage and Hour Division. Deadline to submit questions is COB on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Practice Resources
On January 14, 2026, DHS published a Federal Register notice terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia. The Verification and Documentation provide this practice alert with more details and compliance considerations.
Immigration News
DHS claims improved conditions in Somalia justify termination of TPS. AILA Senior Director of Government Relations Greg Chen responds, “That statement is really belied and contradicted by the facts on the ground ... the country continues to see terrorism, violent crime, and civil unrest.”
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 14, 2026.
1/14/26
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 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, February 10.
1/13/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The U.S. Virtual Embassy Tehran issued a security alert to respond to ongoing protest in Iran. The embassy advised that “U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.”
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS final rule providing a change in the address for service of process for summonses, complaints, or other legal documents directed to DOS or any DOS employee or former employee in connection with federal or state litigation. The change is effective 1/13/26. (91 FR 1245, 1/13/26)
AILA Announcements
AIC, ASAP, and Public Citizen seek plaintiffs for a lawsuit challenging USCIS’s Interim Final Rule eliminating automatic EAD extensions. AILA members with impacted clients and/or examples of harm can provide information to these groups through this short survey.
Practice Resources
AILA’s Enforcement Tracker gathers reports of immigration enforcement actions across the United States in one location.
Examples & Questions
Use this form to report enforcement actions, including both arrests and worksite enforcement. Information will immediately be made available to AILA members on AILA’s Enforcement Tracker.
Professional Resources
Fifteen best practices to address your fee agreement and billing woes.
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.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, effective 3/17/26. An advance copy of the termination notice, to be published in the Federal Register on 1/14/25, is available.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for February 2026, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
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)
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 any increase in funding for DHS in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. Use AILA’s advocacy tool to call your member of Congress.
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.