Professional Resources
In a world where results don’t always reflect your true competence, learn how to overcome feelings of inadequacy and reclaim your focus.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this series, AILA’s National Pro Bono Committee interviews Chapter Pro Bono Champions, asking them five questions to learn more about how they began doing pro bono work and the impact of their work.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Press Releases
AILA ED Ben Johnson responded to Congress restoring most DHS funding, noting that “it does not resolve the deeper policy failures that led to this shutdown or address the repeated, documented abuses within immigration enforcement that sparked this crisis.”
4/30/26
AILA Doc. No. 26043005.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice of availability and request for comments on extension and revision of Forms ETA-9142C, Application for Temporary Employment Certification and ETA-9141C, Application for Prevailing Wage Determination. Comments are due 6/1/26. (91 FR 23308, 4/30/26)
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
AILA and the National Well-Being Committee are proud to present Well-Being Week in Law 2026. Wellness is always important but takes on new contours during times of stress or upheaval. Join us May 4–8 as we come together to prioritize well-being!
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
USCIS has published an Interim Final Rule codifying the collection of fees and other provisions for asylum, Form I-94, temporary protected status, and employment authorization documents. This alert will continue to be updated with any new details provided.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal, International Associate.
Practice Resources
AILA alerts members that reports of adjudication holds at USCIS are likely related to a new security vetting process effective Apr 27, 2026, requiring many pending cases to resubmit fingerprints. Timing and scope of the hold remain unclear.
Accessible to: Member.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
USCIS announced it reached the cap for the additional 27,736 H-2B visas made available for the second allocation of returning workers for FY26 with 4/1/26-4/30/26 start dates. 4/21/26 was the final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under this allocation.
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s CBP Committee request questions from the membership for the upcoming CBP Agency Updates panel at Annual Conference. Deadline to submit questions is May 17th, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
Check out this practical guide to crafting effective AI prompts, featuring key tips and a step-by-step template.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 30, 2026.
4/30/26
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
As direct armed conflict continues in Iran and across the region, AILA commends bicameral Democratic action echoing AILA’s call for protections for Iranian nationals who are unable to return home and urges similar protections for people unable to return safely to other conflict-affected countries.
4/30/26
AILA Doc. No. 26043000.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On April 28, 2026, DOS issued a cable directing consular officers to ask nonimmigrant visa applicants if they fear returning to their country of residence, and to refuse visas for those who respond affirmatively.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS IFR implementing certain H.R. 1 fees and requirements, effective 5/29/26. It states USCIS will reject asylum applications if the Annual Asylum Fee is not paid within 30 days of notification, limits validity of EADs under TPS to a year, and more. Comments are due 6/29/26. (91 FR 22952, 4/29/26)
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 29, 2026.
4/29/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Recent legal reforms have reshaped H-2B programs: new employer responsibilities, extended worker protections, and vital immigration flexibilities. Join us on April 30th for a seminar where panelists will provide an overview of the new H-2B landscape and practical guidance for practitioners.
4/29/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Interested in maximizing your AILA membership? Join us on May 1st for our introductory roundtable, where AILA staff and volunteer leaders will provide a comprehensive overview of your benefits and answer any questions.
4/29/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join the Business Section for their May 2026 quarterly call.
4/29/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that an FBI Letterhead Memorandum indicating that the respondent is a potential national security risk warrants significant weight in bond proceedings, and ordered the respondent detained without bond. Matter of Shentu, 29 I&N Dec. 595 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
This article provides a practical overview of the federal attorney disciplinary systems within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA is tracking increased reports of detentions at USCIS biometrics appointments.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS will publish an IFR implementing H.R. 1 fees and requirements, effective 5/29/26. It states USCIS will reject asylum applications if the Annual Asylum Fee is not paid within 30 days of notification, limits validity of EADs for TPS-holders to a year, and more. Comments will be due 6/29/26.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 28, 2026.
4/28/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that Matter of K– does not apply where a petitioner, represented by counsel, admits to controlled substance offenses under oath in seeking cancellation of removal, and that such admissions preclude a finding of good moral character. (Sandoval Diaz v. Blanche, 4/20/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA National provides a brief overview and clarification on existing, updated, and proposed biometrics policies to date. For fingerprint specific requirements, please reference USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Part C, Biometrics Collections and Security Checks.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court reversed and remanded, holding that the BIA engaged in impermissible factfinding by relying on a factual determination not supported by the record in reversing the IJ’s grant of adjustment of status to the Venezuelan petitioner. (Taveras Martínez v. Blanche, 4/17/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that where the respondents appear at an initial master calendar hearing, but DHS does not, the IJ errs in terminating proceedings without taking the respondents’ pleadings to the Notices to Appear (NTAs). Matter of Arana Castillo, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 593 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOJ notice on the revision of Immigrant and Employee Rights Section Charge Form. DOJ reports no substantive change to the form and that it will update the form’s interface, including making it more mobile-friendly. Comments are due 5/27/26. (91 FR 22548, 4/27/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
Read all about the plans for AILA Well-Being Week in Law starting May 4 in this blog post from Sara Mailander, AILA Well-Being Committee Member, as she describes self-driven and community activities to help you deliberately cultivate psychological well-being.
4/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26042705.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
ICE posted Directive 19009.3: Firearms and Use of Force from 5/26/23 on its memos and policies webpage. It covers employee responsibilities, procedures, and protocols for firearms and use of force, such as training and proficiency, incident reporting, and weapon maintenance, storage, and accounting.
4/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26042704.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ erred in terminating removal proceedings based solely on the fact that respondent had been accorded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and without considering reasons for any opposition to termination. Matter of Santiago-Santiago, 29 I&N Dec. 589 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s USCIS Benefits Policy and USCIS Operations Committees seek examples of instances where RFEs or NTAs have been issued during the discretionary 60-day (H-1B) grace period after the end of employment and/or before the end of the authorized nonimmigrant validity period.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) notice and request for comments to inform an ongoing ACUS project, Frontline Decision Making in the Adjudication of Applications, which may recommend best practices for agencies to use. Comments are due 6/26/26. (91 FR 22488, 4/27/26)
4/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26042702.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ clearly erred in finding the respondent credible and that the IJ’s conclusory statement that there was a pattern or practice of persecution against Anglophones in Cameroon was not supported by record evidence. Matter of E–N–N–, 29 I&N Dec. 586 (BIA 2026)
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 April 27, 2026.
4/27/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
In this series, AILA’s National Pro Bono Committee interviews Chapter Pro Bono Champions, asking them five questions to learn more about how they began doing pro bono work and the impact of their work.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an overview of the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System and guidance for practitioners with clients traveling to the United States for the World Cup.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on April 24, 2026.
4/24/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of extension without change of Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Comments are due 6/22/26. (91 FR 21300, 4/21/26)
4/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26042400.
Accessible to Public.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA and the American Immigration Council submitted a joint comment urging DHS to withdraw its proposed rule which 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, among other changes.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
Following the December 2025 Final Rule requiring electronic submission of FOIA and Privacy requests, AILA's USCIS Operations Committee and Benefits Litigation Committee, provide a few pointer to assist members in their submission of such requests to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
In this blog post, AILA member Muhammed Üzüm describes how, given the uncertainty around the H-1B visa process, “high-impact talent and founders opt for the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW as the most direct routes to establishing permanent residency and moving beyond the precarity of the lottery altogether.”
4/23/26
AILA Doc. No. 26042304.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify how to determine joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA). Comments are due 6/22/26. (91 FR 21878, 4/23/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner failed to establish exceptional and extremely unusual hardship for cancellation of removal under INA §240A(b)(1) and found that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion to reopen his removal proceedings. (Petrov v. Blanche, 4/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s North Carolina Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) conditioned on community service constituted a conviction under INA §101(a)(48)(A) rendering him ineligible for cancellation of removal based on two CIMT convictions. (Gardner v. Blanche, 4/14/26)
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 April 23, 2026.
4/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Liaison Minutes
AILA's DOL Committee share highlights from the 2026 AILA Spring Conference panel with OFLC. Among topics discussed were, prevailing wage, PERM, and H-2A and H-2B.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
This summer, join thousands of immigration attorneys, law professors, paralegals, students, exhibitors, and special guests in San Diego, California—set against the calm beauty of the Pacific coast. Together, we’ll recharge, sharpen our expertise, and fortify the bonds that strengthen our community.
4/22/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA National and the Global Migration Section (GMS) invite you to attend its annual Global Migration Forum, which this year will be held in the beautiful border city of San Diego on the southern coast of California.
4/22/26
Accessible to Public.