Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS published an announcement with FAQs about the department’s plans to transition visa operations in Africa to regional hubs beginning 8/1/26.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Need guidance through today’s evolving consular challenges? The newly updated Consular Practice Handbook delivers practical strategies for addressing increased scrutiny, policy shifts, and processing delays. Rely on this trusted resource to help you navigate complex cases with confidence.
7/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a stay on DOS’s visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals involved in social media content moderation and related research, ruling that the policy likely violates the First Amendment and Administrative Procedure Act.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The Verification Committee provides a comprehensive chart on current status and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
Special thank you to Kathleen Campbell Walker, Meredith Jolie, John Mazzeo, Timothy D’Arduini, Sarah Peterson, and Kimberley Best Robidoux for their contributions to the chart.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify issued updates on the status of EADs issued under TPS designations for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under these designations remain valid and extended. E-Verify will display a 7/24/26 expiration date.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE issued updates on the status of EADs issued under Temporary Protected Status designations for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under these designations remain valid and extended. SAVE will display a 7/24/26 expiration date.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period. It has been classified as a major rule subject to congressional review. The effective date is 9/15/26. (91 FR 44976, 7/17/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a parent’s decision to leave a U.S. citizen child in the United States without parental care does not, on its own, create exceptional and extremely unusual hardship, and that parental care is not the only sufficient care. Matter of Lopez-Davila, 29 I&N Dec. 763 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
The 2026 AILA National Election for Officers and regionally-elected Directors of the Board was concluded on July 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET.
7/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071761.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILALink is AILA’s powerful online research platform, providing searchable access to immigration statutes, regulations, case law, government guidance, and AILA publications. Find trusted answers faster, stay current, and streamline your practice with one essential resource. Subscribe today.
7/17/26
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 17, 2026.
7/17/26
Accessible to Public.
The AILA Asylum and Refugee Committee holds monthly meetings to discuss refugee and asylum law, including case law, policy updates, and local practice issues. The committee also participates in agency liaison engagements, drafts comments on proposed regulations, and writes practice pointers.
7/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 21062132.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The June 5, 2026 decision vacating USCIS policies pausing certain adjudications will remain in effect while the government pursues an appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. AILA members should share examples how this decision is being implemented by USCIS.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify posted that employer accounts are having technical issues related to a new account validation feature. E-Verify is working to address the issue but does not have a timeline for its resolution.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR Director Daren Margolin issued a Policy Memorandum (PM 26-06) on public access to EOIR hearings. The memo outlines policy for providing public access to EOIR spaces, when immigration hearings may be closed, guidance for observing hearings, and reporting procedures for public access violations.
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
AILA raised serious concerns about the Trump Administration’s changes to the “public charge” rule which will take effect on September 20, 2026, warning that the policy would create confusion, expand government agents’ discretion without accountability, and harm immigrant families and communities.
7/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071604.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Court Cases
The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island denied the government’s motion to stay the 6/5/26 decision vacating USCIS's Benefits and Global Asylum Hold Policies, Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and Country-Specific Factors Policy pending appeal. (Dorcas Int'l Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, 6/5/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced a final rule changing the admission period in the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and I (representatives of foreign information media) classifications from duration of status to admission for a fixed period. The rule will publish on 7/17/26. An advance copy is available.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced a final rule to rescind the 2022 regulation on public charge determinations, which instructed USCIS officers to consider specific public benefits when determining if an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The rule will be published on 7/20/26. An advance copy is available.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 16, 2026.
7/16/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court declined to address unexhausted arguments that the agency relied on the wrong statute to declare the petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal based on her Nebraska negligent child abuse conviction and overlooked the petty-offense exception. (Lopez-Lopez v. Blanche, 7/7/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion in denying reopening based on ineffective assistance of counsel, incorrectly concluding it lacked authority over conduct before a different tribunal and finding a courtesy copy provided sufficient notice. (Menjivar-Ayala v. Blanche, 7/9/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that Matter of Y–L–’s unrebutted presumption that drug trafficking aggravated felonies are particularly serious triggered the regulatory presumption of danger to the community, and no separate dangerousness determination was required. (Sarr v. Blanche, 7/7/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a motion to reopen based on ineffective assistance of counsel must include a copy of the bar complaint filed with disciplinary authorities and proof of the filing, or an explanation why a bar complaint was not filed. Matter of L–R–M–C– & V–A–M–M–, 29 I&N Dec. 757 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that embezzlement under Va. Code Ann. §18.2-111 is not categorically a crime involving fraud or deceit under INA §101(a)(43)(M)(i), because “fraudulently” in the statute means wrongful or felonious intent and the elements do not require concealment. (Ramos v. Blanche, 7/9/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Featured Issues
The Administration has ramped up immigration enforcement efforts, including arresting people attending hearings at immigration courts and appointments at USCIS and ICE field offices. Far from keeping us safe, indiscriminate enforcement harms our families, communities, and our nation as a whole.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides an overview of updated guidance shared by BALCA regarding the interplay of ETA Form 9141 and ETA Form 9089 on travel given the continued reports on PERM denials.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides updates on clarification of eligibility for dairy employers by USCIS, and provides pointers on what the USCIS memo dos not do, including practical considerations for attorneys.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA’s Rule of Law Task Force Chair Jerry Grzeca describes how the Trump Administration has undermined the immigration system, writing that “The rule of law depends not only on what the law says, but also on whether people can reasonably understand it, rely on it, and comply with it.”
7/15/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071501.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 15, 2026.
7/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee shares updates on OEWS Prevailing Wages and Appendix A, which became effective on 07/01/2026, including impacts on the LCA and PWD.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-04) updating its Policy Manual regarding attorneys and representatives. It includes guidance on eligibility, responsibilities, expectations for professional conduct. The guidance is effective 7/13/26. Feedback is due 8/13/26.
7/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071411.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Learn how AILALink is the perfect tool for electronic access to the books and other research resources you need. Sign up for our next group training at 2:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, August 4.
7/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice of the recission, effective 7/14/26, of its 2011 guidance to Federal financial assistance recipients regarding the Title VI prohibition against national origin discrimination affecting limited English proficient persons, consistent with E.O. 14224. (91 FR 43108, 7/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
Policy Briefs
Since the start of the Administration, ICE and Border Patrol have been responsible for countless unlawful and violent abuses against immigrants and U.S. citizens, leading to serious injury and death. This policy brief highlights recent abuses and offers AILA’s solutions for reforming the system.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that reinstatement orders are reviewable final orders of removal and that INA §242(b)(1)’s 30-day petition for review deadline is subject to equitable tolling where petitioners relied on binding pre-Riley circuit precedent. (E.E.V. and M.C.C.-G. v. Blanche, 7/6/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA and the IJ failed to apply the two-step test required by Matter of N–A–M– in determining that the petitioner’s Virginia conviction for assault and battery against a family member was a particularly serious crime. (Guevara Martinez v. Blanche, 7/7/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the agency failed to properly assess whether petitioner’s likely detention in El Salvador, including prison conditions intentionally created and maintained by the government, would amount to torture, and thus remanded his CAT claim. (Aguilar-Villalobos v. Blanche, 7/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that DHS need not provide an asylum cooperative agreement (ACA) implementing instrument or a full set of operative terms and criteria to show respondents are subject to the ACA for purposes of the safe third country bar. Matter of N–E–R–S–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 753 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that DHS’s oral motion to pretermit respondents’ applications for asylum and related protection provided sufficient notice of its intent to remove them to a third country pursuant to an asylum cooperative agreement (ACA). Matter of E–A–R–M–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 746 (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 July 14, 2026.
7/14/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Members John Pratt and Clayton Oates describe the devastation affecting Venezuela and urge the Trump Administration to implement protections for Venezuelan nationals in the U.S, calling on Congress to act if the Administration refuses to do so.
7/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071403.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA provides recommendations for potential resolution of issues related to myUSCIS. AILA will continue to monitor other issues for potential advocacy.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
The Asylum & Refugee Committee holds monthly office hours every 3rd Monday, 2-3 pm ET. Join this open forum to discuss issues practitioners are facing, to strategize, and to otherwise collaborate with a group of experts. All are welcome and the committee is grateful for members' participation.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA members have reported a growing number of concerns in affirmative asylum adjudications. These reports suggest emerging patterns that may be affecting case processing, interview procedures, adjudication timelines, and decision-making in affirmative asylum cases.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced that 20% of states’ Homeland Security Grant Program awards will be contingent on adopting specific election processes, including using SAVE to verify the citizenship of individuals in state voter registration databases, working at polling places, and operating election systems.
7/13/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071302.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 13, 2026.
7/13/26
Accessible to Public.