AILA Public Statements, Media Tools
Informed by the experience of the more than 18,000 immigration attorneys who are members of AILA, this document outlines five core principles to restore trust, strengthen the rule of law, and build a system that is fairer, more secure, and better aligned with the country America aspires to be.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA’s 30-day appeal deadline is a nonjurisdictional claim-processing rule subject to equitable tolling, and upheld the denial of equitable tolling where the petitioner failed to demonstrate due diligence. (Baro v. Blanche, 6/16/26)
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 June 22, 2026.
6/22/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying reconsideration where the petitioner failed to establish membership in her proposed PSG of Brazilian women unable to leave relationships and her perceived-family PSG lacked particularity. (Alves-Pains v. Blanche, 6/18/26)
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 June 19, 2026.
6/19/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA’s 2026 INA and CFR editions have been updated through 4/1/26. INA updates cover new laws, legislative histories, and enhanced editorial notes. CFR updates cover employment authorization, visa allocation, enforcement authority, and more. Stay up to date with these essential primary sources!
6/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
AILA Well-Being Committee Member Jennifer Howards leads us in some quick stretches that you can do at your desk!
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy memorandum (PM-602-0200) providing guidance to ensure USCIS adjudicates all H-2A dairying petitions on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the totality of the facts presented, and in the same manner as all other H-2A petitions. This guidance is effective 6/17/26.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on June 18, 2026.
6/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The BIA held that the respondent did not establish an exceptional situation warranting sua sponte reopening of removal proceedings where his equities were acquired years after he was ordered removed from the United States. Matter of Herrera-Nunez, 29 I&N Dec. 695 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a noncitizen subject to a final removal order should first request a stay from DHS prior to the Board considering a stay request filed in connection with a motion to reopen or reconsider a Board or immigration court order. Matter of Herrera-Nunez, 29 I&N Dec. 691 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Congratulations to the 2026 AILA Chapter Pro Bono Champions! The 2026 Champions demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono assistance through many worthy initiatives.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
AILA Practice & Professionalism Center Senior Director Reid Trautz discusses how to leverage generative AI tools to maximize productivity for yourself and your paralegals in your firm.
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 June 17, 2026.
6/17/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA offers a variety of ways for our members to get involved, from community participation to committee, chapter, and board service. With every new volunteer, AILA grows more energized, more diverse and inclusive, and better equipped to reach our common goals.
6/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 25030605.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Governance
All candidates for the National Office and regionally-elected Directors were invited to submit statements regarding their candidacy, which can be found below.
6/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061702.
Accessible to: Member.
Professional Resources
At a moment of heightened scrutiny and growing allegations of fraud, three AILA national Ethics Committee members examine what immigration lawyers should do ethically and practically in benefits cases where there may be fraud in order to protect clients and the integrity of the profession.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AC26 map for the San Diego Zoo.
6/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061700.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA members can secure the lowest price that will be offered on this fully updated essential resource. But you must act now—offer ends on August 17, 2026.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOJ 60-day notice of a new form for Requests for DOJ Certification Letters for T Visa Holders. Comments are due 8/17/26. (91 FR 36156, 6/16/26)
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for July 2026, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart, and applicants in all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the July 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates;” “Dates for Filing;” the Diversity Visa (DV) program; availability of family-sponsored and employment-based visas; EB-1, EB-2, and EB-5 for India; EB-2 for China; EB-3 for the Philippines, SIVs, and more.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s Florida conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was categorically a crime of violence under 18 USC §16, and thus found that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying the petitioner’s motion to reopen. (Senatus v. Att’y Gen., 6/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The en banc court vacated its prior order denying the petitioners’ opposed motion to stay removal and granted the stay, finding that the petitioners met the standard for a stay under Nken v. Holder in light of en banc briefing and oral argument. (Rojas-Espinoza v. Blanche, 6/9/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a petitioner found removable under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(ii) for violating a no-contact order need not have the actual protection order in the record, where other evidence proved the statutory elements by clear and convincing evidence. (Tiah v. Blanche, 6/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Governance
Sign up to volunteer with AILA National.
6/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 24021303.
Accessible to: Member.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to review the BIA’s discretionary denial of cancellation of removal and that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying reconsideration where the petitioner waived his challenge to removability by failing to appeal it. (Dodaj v. Blanche, 6/8/26)
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 June 16, 2026.
6/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061601.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA members Lynn Calder, Carly Hetland, Karen Hill, and Kate Rodriguez highlight how AILA “helps students learn the field, helps new attorneys practice it with confidence, and helps experienced lawyers refine their craft while shaping the future of immigration law.”
6/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061600.
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
Learn how to establish a straightforward process for closing immigration law cases, minimize ethical risks, and avoid prolonged cases, with downloadable sample case closing letters in Word.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
Consular posts are shifting visa issuance and fraud fee collection to Pay.gov without formal DOS guidance, creating confusion. Some applicants receive §221(g) refusals solely for nonpayment, with visas issued after payment and no further review.
Accessible to: Member, Student.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on June 15, 2026.
6/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On June 8, 2026, the District Court of Massachusetts vacated the $100,000 H-1B fee as unlawful. AILA provides updates regarding the implementation of the $100,000 H-1B fee based on recent court orders.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Governance
View the schedule of upcoming AILA Board of Governors meetings.
6/15/26
AILA Doc. No. 99900686.
Accessible to: Member.
Examples & Questions
AILA is conducting a survey for an advocacy-oriented report about the experience of immigration attorneys having access to their clients obstructed by immigration agencies and related entities, either through individual officer decisions or the impact of broader national or regional policies.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.