CBP announcement of DHS Secretary's decision to redirect flights departing after 11:59 PM ET on 5/20/26 with passengers recently present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan to arrive at Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia. (91 FR 29896, 5/21/26)
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
Learn more about how AILA’s 2026 Well-Being Week combined practical resources, popular live roundtables, and engaging chapter challenges to build momentum for a healthier, more connected legal community year-round.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA members may share the attached flyer with clients preparing for U.S. citizenship. Welcome.US’s Citizen Guide Program offers free, flexible online tutoring for lawful permanent residents, pairing each participant with a volunteer tutor for guidance and support. Available in Spanish.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 21, 2026.
5/21/26
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FR Regulations & Notices
CDC notice of the Title 42 Order issued 5/18/26 suspending entry, with some exceptions, of non-U.S. passport-holders who were in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days due to an Ebola outbreak. It is effective for 30 days. (91 FR 29961, 5/21/26)
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Practice Resources
On April 28, 2026. USCIS updated its web page to note that the Employment Authorization Documents for TPS El Salvador recipients with an expiration date of March 9, 2025 were automatically extended through July 22, 2026. Please see alert for employee and employer implications.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
ICE notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the fee for “aliens ordered removed in absentia” established in H.R. 1 from $5,130 to $18,000. It also states that ICE will adjust the fee for inflation each year. Comments are due 6/22/26. (91 FR 29380, 5/20/26)
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Practice Resources
AILA members have continued to report the rise in "mega masters" at various courts around the country. These include 100+ respondents being scheduled in a single master calendar hearing, raising serious practical and due process concerns.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program issued a bulletin requiring travelers arriving from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan to enter the United States through Washington-Dulles International Airport.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA members have reported across the country that hearings are appearing on their online court calendars without any notice being issued. The EOIR National Liaison Committee is encouraging all removal defense practitioners to check their online calendars for unexpected hearing changes.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
In this blog post, AILA AROL Task Force Member Karen Grisez describes how “this administration has mounted a less visible attack on due process inside the U.S. immigration court system” and reviews “what due process means and how it applies in the immigration context.”
5/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26052002.
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Professional Resources
Explore how ethics and professionalism guide the management of doubtful evidence in extraordinary ability immigration cases and similar situations when client-provided documentation is inconsistent.
5/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26052001.
Ethics
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 May 20, 2026.
5/20/26
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Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an overview of the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System and guidance for practitioners with clients traveling to the United States for the World Cup.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the closer in time a change of venue request is made to an individual hearing, the less likely a party can show good cause, and absent extraordinary circumstances, venue should not be changed on the day of a hearing. Matter of I–B–M–S–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 628 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program issued a bulletin concerning enhanced medical screening at U.S. ports of entry in response to the May 18, 2026, Title 42 order regarding the outbreak of Ebola in DRC and Uganda.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
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, June 9.
5/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
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Professional Resources
Check out these AILA resources to help protect your practice from allegations of fraud.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
AILA members are encouraged to share inefficiencies and concerns arising in frontline adjudications. This campaign provides a template covering relevant topics to help you submit personalized comments. Get involved!
5/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051900.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 19, 2026.
5/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that threats from masked men, two brief beatings, and a short detention of the Sikh Mann party member petitioner did not rise to the level of past persecution, and found he could avoid future persecution by relocating within India. (Singh v. Blanche, 12/1/25, amended 5/15/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
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 Big Bend Sector of Texas. The waiver is effective 5/15/26. (91 FR 27969, 5/15/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The CDC has issued a Title 42 Order regarding the outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The order bars entry for non-U.S. passport holders who departed from or were present in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days. The order will be in effect for 30 days.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, effective 5/18/26, all visa services are temporarily paused at the U.S. embassies in Juba, South Sudan; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Kampala, Uganda. DOS states that the pause is due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Accessible to Public.
AILA and the American Immigration Council’s practice resource provides background for attorneys to understand the J-1 process, and to ask informed questions of program sponsors.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Soon Young Joe Kwon urges the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) community “to raise our voices not just in celebration of what AAPI communities have built, but loudly and on the record on behalf of every immigrant community standing where we once stood.”
5/18/26
AILA Doc. No. 26051800.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on May 18, 2026.
5/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
This practice pointer explains how CBP Home’s “Intent to Depart” function works, outlines the user process, and highlights legal and strategic risks for practitioners advising clients considering app-based self-reporting and departure from the United States.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.