Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that past persecution creates no presumption of future torture under the CAT, that substantial-evidence review governs CAT eligibility, and that the BIA may assess new evidence for reliability and probative value when deciding whether to remand. (Zahid v. Blanche, 10/20/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA reversed the IJ’s credibility finding and held that DHS proved by clear and convincing evidence the returning LPR engaged in illegal activity after departure and there was reason to believe she knowingly trafficked drugs. Matter of Ozuna Mendoza, 30 I&N Dec. 177 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a conviction for assault and battery in the second degree in South Carolina, which requires a reckless mental state and the actual or attempted infliction of “moderate bodily injury,” is categorically for a CIMT. Matter of Mercader, 30 I&N Dec. 185 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
When immigration law puts up a roadblock, knowing the available remedies can make all the difference. The fifth edition of The Waivers Book offers practical strategies for waivers of inadmissibility and removability, other discretionary remedies, and selected digital samples.
10/30/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 30, 2026.
10/30/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
On November 10, 2026, join immigration leaders to unpack the election results, explore their potential impact on U.S. immigration policy, and hear AILA’s goals and strategy for the next Congress. This 60-minute Video Roundtable is free and exclusive to AILA members.
10/30/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE posted ERO Delegation Order DO99-004 to the agency’s FOIA page. The order delegates authority to FODS, DFODs, and AFODs to revoke the release of certain individuals released on Orders of Supervision, even if there is no "significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future."
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 29, 2026.
10/29/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the swearing in of 22 immigration judges and 4 temporary immigration judges. EOIR also provided biographical information for the new judges.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOJ notice of revision of Forms EOIR-42A, Application for Cancellation of Removal for Certain Permanent Residents and EOIR-42B, Application for Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent Residents. Comments due 11/25/26. (91 FR 53897, 8/20/26; 91 FR 67334, 10/26/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Law Journal author David Grunblatt digs into the so-called “last action rule” shortcut and its implications, explaining that “administrative proxies are not inherently improper...The problem arises when the proxy stops assisting the legal analysis and starts replacing it.”
Accessible to Public.
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
AILA ED Ben Johnson responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s declining to take up the case regarding immigration judges’ authority to administratively close cases, stating that the Trump Administration has “coopted the courts to advance its mass deportation campaign.”
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS OIG posted a report from an unannounced visit to the Enhanced Hardened Facility (aka Camp East Montana) in July 2025. The facility regularly held people longer than the 72-hour short-term detention maximum and violated use of force, personal property, hygiene, and food and beverage standards.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP announced that Saudi Arabia is now an official Global Entry partner, making it the 23rd international partner whose citizens are eligible to apply for Global Entry membership.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-16) updating Policy Manual guidance on filing fees for L-1 petitions and the regulatory changes made by the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas final rule. The guidance applies to petitions submitted on or after 9/9/26.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 28, 2026.
10/28/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that past abuse alone does not establish CAT eligibility without a showing of likely future torture, and that substantial evidence supported the finding of no nexus to the petitioner’s proposed particular social group (PSG) of imputed homosexuals. (Qaiymah v. Blanche, 10/19/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee shares a brief summary of the October 2026 Equal Pay Transparency (EPT) law updates.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
CBP notice announcing that DHS Secretary is suspending the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), effective 10/30/26. (91 FR 67595, 10/27/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee shares tips for recommended next steps for expiring H-2B registrations to ensure OFLC properly reviews any potential material changes.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
As part of Pro Bono Week 2026, AILA celebrates our members’ dedication to clients and the power of service; in this blog post, two attorneys share how pro bono work fuels persistent advocacy, builds practical skills, and connects practitioners with a community of support.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that, due to the 9/28/26 order in Sileiri Doe v. DHS, individuals who obtained parole via CBP One and whose parole was terminated by mass email in April 2025 may request that USCIS reopen or reconsider certain adverse decisions or actions issued 4/1/25–4/21/26 without a filing fee.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
CBP OFO has confirmed that individuals who were born in the U.S., hold/held U.S. citizenship, or may have renounced U.S. citizenship may not be eligible for travel under the VWP through ESTA.
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 October 27, 2026.
10/27/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that when mail sent to a respondent’s only address of record is returned as undeliverable, there are no additional reasonably available or practicable steps the Board or an immigration court can take to effect notice. Matter of Chamorro Castillo, 30 I&N Dec. 170 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
ICE 60-day notice and request for comments on a new information collection, ICE FOIA Request Form, I-902. The form will be used for FOIA and Privacy Act requests. Comments are due 12/28/26. (91 FR 67326, 10/26/26)
10/26/26
AILA Doc. No. 26102603.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
USCIS has informed AILA that premium processing upgrades to Form I-140 should be filed with the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) announced that effective October 30, 2026, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) is suspended.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Benjamin Green shares insights in this blog post focused on why AILA members may want to revisit clients’ family histories to see if last year’s changes to Canadian citizenship-by-descent rules may create options on both sides of the border.
Accessible to Public.
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee provides key takeaways from the October 23, 2026, meeting with CBP’s Office of Field Operations.
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 October 26, 2026.
10/26/26
Accessible to Public.