AILA Blog
Charity Anastasio, AILA Senior Counsel, Practice and Ethics, details the recent surge in immigration scams and the coordinated and sophisticated schemes threatening legitimate providers’ reputations.
2/26/26
AILA Doc. No. 26021162.
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 26, 2026.
2/26/26
Accessible to Public.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to warn clients and community members about the recent surge in immigration-related scams and how to protect themselves. Available as a generic PDF version as well as a customizable Word version in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA’s U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Law Toolbox has been fully updated and delivers practical analysis, checklists, and tools for naturalization, proof of citizenship, denaturalization, and related tax issues. Built for real‑world client work—get the Toolbox today.
Accessible to Public.
Policy Briefs
The Administration has dismantled lawful immigration pathways wholesale, severely damaging our economy and national security, upending lives, and growing the undocumented population. This brief explores the harm these policies cause—and how Congress can create a better immigration system.
2/25/26
AILA Doc. No. 26022501.
Accessible to Public.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA's USCIS Benefits Policy Committee submitted comments in response to Interim Final Rule removing the one-year abroad requirement for R-1 nonimmigrants who reach their authorized period of stay. AILA's comments welcomed the rule and provided additional considerations for religious workers.
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
Have questions about what to do if ICE shows up at your office? This practice success tip explores how to respond.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
This suite of resources is tailored to immigration law professionals seeking to understand, implement, and ethically navigate the use of AI in their practice. Resources range from how-to guides and sample documents to expert-led CLE courses and updates on government use of AI.
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 February 25, 2026.
2/25/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
When unlawful presence puts a case at risk, clear strategy matters. Provisional Waivers: A Practitioner’s Guide delivers step‑by‑step, practice‑tested guidance for building strong waiver cases, responding to RFEs, and handling denials. Get the guide today.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Governance
AILA provides a strategic plan for 2026-2029, approved by the Board of Governors on January 24, 2026.
2/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26022404.
Accessible to: Member.
Federal Court Cases
DOJ filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and Gov. Sherrill over the state’s Executive Order No. 12, which prohibits federal immigration officers from accessing state property to facilitate immigration enforcement, except with a judicial warrant or order. (U.S. v. New Jersey, 2/23/26)
2/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26022403.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
USCIS shared a video that demonstrates how to submit a cap-subject H-1B registration.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the unique barriers to reporting harm faced by children do not apply to adults, and that the IJ’s finding that the respondent could not reasonably relocate in Russia to avoid persecution was clearly erroneous. Matter of F–B–A–, 29 I&N Dec. 456 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the generic definition of rape in INA §101(a)(43)(A) does not include digital penetration, and vacated the BIA’s removability determination based on the petitioner’s D.C. conviction for attempted first-degree sexual abuse. (Barrie v. Att’y Gen., 2/19/26)
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 24, 2026.
2/24/26
Accessible to Public.
EOIR's online filing system ECAS is experiencing an unplanned outage since 11:00 am (ET) on 2/23/26.
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 4/24/26. (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.
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.
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, 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.
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 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.
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.