Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the respondent did not show the extreme hardship required for a §212(h) waiver, let alone exceptional and extremely unusual hardship, and that his equities were outweighed by adverse factors, including sexual crime convictions. Matter of Y–S–P–T–, 29 I&N Dec. 776 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is not an immigration status, so even if petitioner was admitted when she returned under DED, she was not “admitted in any status” under INA §240A(a)(2) and did not meet the seven-year residence requirement. (Cisneros v. Blanche, 7/17/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Eric Lee describes how a 30-year-old, never-used tribunal may be weaponized by the Trump Administration, writing that “its use today should be concerning to all as there are significant implications for the core liberty interests and first amendment rights of implicated non-citizens.”
7/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26072400.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
When agency remedies are exhausted, federal court may be your client’s last option. The updated Litigating Immigration Cases in Federal Court provides practical guidance, sample filings, and expert strategies to help you litigate with confidence. Order your copy today.
7/24/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of instances where a revocation of an EAD or termination of an AP were issued while the underlying benefit remains pending or where the actual EAD/AP remained pending at the time of revocation or termination. Please submit examples to reports@aila.org
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
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.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to help your clients understand how and why to submit a FOIA request for their immigration case. The flyer is available as a generic PDF version and a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
7/23/26
AILA Doc. No. 26072302.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On July 21, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary stay preventing USCIS from retroactively implementing certain provisions of H.R. 1.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Featured Issues
Immigration courts face a profound structural problem—they operate under DOJ and are therefore extremely vulnerable to political interference. This page collects resources, updates, and opportunities to advocate for establishing an independent immigration court with the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act.
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 23, 2026.
7/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s Student Visa Taskforce provides an overview of the DHS 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, with tips for practitioners going forward.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
A compilation of federal ethics resources from DHS, USCIS, and EOIR including contact information of the disciplinary office, rules and procedures of professional conduct and selected articles and publications.
7/22/26
AILA Doc. No. 12071243.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s VAWA, Us, and Ts Committee shares this practice pointer with questions asked during the AC26 panel “Advanced VAWA Practice” and related responses. Key points addressed include evidence of abuse, VAWA filing strategy and eligibility, and VAWA petitioners in removal proceedings.
7/22/26
AILA Doc. No. 26072266.
VAWA
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions
On July 22, a federal judge issued an administrative stay in an APA and due process challenge to USCIS policies affecting TPS holders and asylum seekers. The order temporarily preserves work authorization while the court considers broader relief, with a decision expected by August 5.
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 22, 2026.
7/22/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ clearly erred in finding likely torture based on generalized country conditions evidence while overlooking the applicant's individualized circumstances, and that he did not show likely acquiescence by a public official. Matter of H–L–S–M–, 29 I&N Dec. 767 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that “Brazilian children” and “abandoned Brazilian children” lack sufficient particularity and that respondent, who did not show Brazil was unable or unwilling to control perpetrators, was ineligible for humanitarian asylum. Matter of A–G–O–F–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 772 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that petitioner was denied due process where the immigration court’s electronic filing system and a court clerk prevented him from timely filing his Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) motion to reopen and the agency then denied the motion as untimely. (Burey v. Blanche, 7/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ clearly erred in finding likely torture based on generalized country conditions evidence while overlooking the applicant's individualized circumstances, and that he did not show likely acquiescence by a public official. Matter of H–L–S–M–, 29 I&N Dec. 767 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS IFR implementing certain H.R. 1 fees and requirements, effective 5/29/26. It states USCIS will reject asylum applications if the Annual Asylum Fee is not paid within 30 days of notification, limits validity of EADs under TPS to a year, and more. (91 FR 22952, 4/29/26; 91 FR 45637, 7/21/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA and the American Immigration Council urge members to ask Congress to sign Rep. Sylvia Garcia’s discharge petition and bring H.R.1589 - American Dream and Promise Act to a vote. Take action today and ask your Representative to sign the petition and vote YES!
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector of Arizona. The waiver is effective 7/21/26. (91 FR 45823, 7/21/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced it will close the Batavia Immigration Court at close of business on 7/24/26. Pending cases will transfer to the Buffalo Immigration Court and will be heard via teleconference. Pleadings, motions, and correspondence should be filed with the Buffalo Court beginning 7/27/26.
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 21, 2026.
7/21/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Remzi Güvenç Kulen describes how practitioners can prepare to address the structural change in the E-2 National Interest Waiver space and avoid RFEs, writing that “USCIS now expects petitioners to clear the underlying EB-2 classification before it reaches the waiver analysis at all.”
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
CDC notice with comment period extending the Title 42 Order that suspends entry for non-citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days. Comments are due 7/31/26. (91 FR 43636, 7/16/16)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it has has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for August 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.
Practice Resources
Beginning July 22, 2026, OBBBA cuts short TPS EAD automatic extensions. Many TPS holders with A12/C19 EADs who relied on the former 540-day extension will lose work authorization unless a new EAD is issued. Employers should identify affected workers and complete I-9 reverification.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
DOS posted the August 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 availability for India, EB-2 availability, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and more.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule rescinding 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 is effective 9/18/26. (91 FR 45324, 7/20/26)
Accessible to Public.
The practice of law is a profession, but your law practice is a business. Whether you seek assistance with managing your work flow, obtaining new clients, dealing with staff, enhancing finances, or incorporating technology, AILA resources can help you achieve even greater success.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 20, 2026.
7/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Court Cases
The D.C. Circuit granted the government's renewed motion in Make the Road New York v. Mullin to have the expanded expedited removal policy take effect immediately. The expansion designation is now unblocked and in effect. (Make the Road New York v. Mullin, 7/17/16)
Accessible to Public.
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.