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 any increase in funding for DHS in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. DHS is flush with $170 billion from OBBBA and operating without taxpayer money oversight or guardrails to prevent the aggressive, unlawful and dangerous policies wreaking havoc in American communities.
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
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOL and DHS announced that 35,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas will be available for FY26, on top of the 66,000 mandated by Congress for each fiscal year.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy memorandum (PM-602-0194) expanding the existing hold on all benefit applications and re-review of approved benefits for people from countries named in the travel ban to apply to the additional countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10998.
1/5/26
AILA Doc. No. 26010531.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 5, 2026.
1/5/26