Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 12, 2026.
5/12/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
The immigration court system is in crisis and Congress must pass urgent reform to maintain judicial independence, reduce the backlog, and ensure due process. Get involved now!
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On 5/11/26, ICE issued a memo containing further restrictions regarding Congressional visits to detention facilities. The memo now mandates that only detainees who are identified by name at least two days before the visit and who provide a signed consent form can be visited.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert on the DOS announcement that the agency will begin revoking passports for individuals with child support arrears.
5/11/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051138.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-01) updating Policy Manual guidance to “reaffirm deferred action as an extraordinary use of prosecutorial discretion,” effective 5/8/26. Unless otherwise required by law, USCIS will only consider deferred action on a case-by-case basis. Feedback is due 6/8/26.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Governance
AILA's Nominating Committee is seeking future AILA leaders! This message explains the process by which the Nominating Committee will solicit and review requests for nominations, and also serves as the official notice for the 2026 Annual Membership Meeting.
5/11/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051136.
Accessible to: Member.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that it is coordinating with HHS to revoke the passports of Americans with significant child support debt. U.S. law allows DOS to revoke passports for individuals who owe $2,500 or more in child support.
5/11/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051135.
Accessible to Public.
It is AILA's distinct pleasure to announce the recipients of the 2025 AILA Annual Awards.
5/11/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of Refugee Resettlement shares its Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Bureau Policy Guide, with most recent updates dated 5/1/26. This document supersedes the Unaccompanied Children Manual of Procedures.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the proposed particular social group (PSG) consisting of “married Mexican women unable to leave their relationship” is not cognizable, and that lawful marriage cannot be presumed from cohabitation or shared children. Matter of V–A–B–, 29 I&N Dec. 621 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the words “arrival” and “arrived” in the serious nonpolitical crime bar provisions at INA §§208(b)(2)(A)(iii) and 241(b)(3)(B)(iii) refer to the noncitizen’s most recent arrival in the United States. Matter of C–P–Y–, 29 I&N Dec. 610 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS interim final rule stating that if USCIS accepts a benefit request, adjudicators may later reject or deny the requests they determine it lacks a valid signature. This applies to requests submitted on or after 7/10/26. Comments are due 7/10/26. (91 FR 25479, 5/11/26)
5/11/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051131.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 11, 2026.
5/11/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On May 7, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump vacated the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (CLP) rule which was promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security in May 2023.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Check out these five practical tips to hone your skills in the art of managing up.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner did not establish exceptional circumstances under INA §240(b)(5)(C), where his failure to appear resulted from financial hardship and transportation difficulties rather than exceptional circumstances beyond his control. (Nimaga v. Blanche, 4/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced the closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar, Pakistan. Diplomatic duties related to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region will shift to Islamabad.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court found petitioner was not entitled to equitable tolling based on Niz-Chavez v. Garland, where the asserted defect in the Notice to Appear (NTA) was apparent at the time of the original proceedings and petitioner failed to act diligently. (Coatl-Chiquito v. Blanche, 4/30/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the 30-day deadline to file a petition for review under INA §242(b)(1) is subject to equitable tolling, but found that the petitioner was not entitled to tolling on the record and thus dismissed the petition as untimely. (Oxlaj-Perez v. Blanche, 4/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that cancellation-of-removal hardship determinations are to be reviewed under the IIRAIRA substantial evidence standard and that the Guatemalan petitioner did not establish exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. (Baltazar Us v. Blanche, 4/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner did not establish grounds to reopen his removal proceedings based on alleged interpreter errors where he failed to identify specific mistranslations or show prejudice. (Deh v. Blanche, 4/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner was removable for fraud and willful misrepresentation and failed to establish eligibility for asylum, withholding of removal, or Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection. (Usma Acosta v. Blanche, 5/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
The content of this email was created by Kathleen Irish, the AILA Family Section Chair, along with the assistance of other members of the Family Section Steering Committee, to encourage thought and discussion and may not necessarily express the views of AILA or any individual member.
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 May 8, 2026.
5/8/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
There are ethical obligations, and some jurisdictional variety, around giving a client their file at termination of representation, and what constitutes “the file.” This article answers these questions and discusses whether a retaining lien is an option.
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.
Professional Resources
In this video, immigration attorney and AILA Upstate New York Chapter member Sharon Ames shares practical tips for micro-recovery. She offers simple strategies to help you recenter throughout the day, manage stress in real time, and maintain steadier focus amid a demanding practice.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA Law Journal Editor-in-Chief Cyrus Mehta highlights how the articles in the new Spring 2026 issue “focused on examining the different dimensions of the expansion of executive power and offering practical strategies for representing clients in the face of that power.”
5/7/26
AILA Doc. No. 26050703.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of extension without change of Form G-884, Request for the Return of Original Documents. Comments are due 7/6/26. (91 FR 24911, 5/7/26)
5/7/26
AILA Doc. No. 26050702.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 7, 2026.
5/7/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
ICE notice of proposed rulemaking that would increase the fee for adjudicating Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755, representing a 387% increase. Comments are due 7/6/26. (91 FR 24739, 5/7/26)
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of reinstatement with change of Form AR-11, Alien Change of Address. The revised form will now collect information on individuals’ employment, schooling, and any receipt of means-tested public benefits in addition to change of address. Comments are due 7/6/26. (91 FR 24910, 5/7/26)
5/7/26
AILA Doc. No. 26050700.
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s CBP Committee requests examples of negative outcomes at Abu Dhabi Preclearance related to extended absences outside of the U.S. and mentions of LCA compliance for international remote work.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
September 9-10, 2026
More details coming soon!
5/7/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources, Tutorial Videos
Following the March 22, 2025, executive order questioning immigration lawyers’ integrity, many now seek clarity. This article provides an overview of the EOIR and DHS practitioner disciplinary process to educate members and reduce anxiety about this relatively unknown system.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this concluding video, immigration attorney and Well-Being Committee member Margo Chernysheva shares her “if you remember nothing else” 5-minute reset formula. Beginning at 5:10, she guides a simple 3-minute breathing exercise designed to quickly restore focus and calm.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.