Immigration News
Monthly newsletter brought to you by the members of the Family Section Steering Committee
The content of this email was created by Kathleen Irish, the AILA Family Section Chair, along with the assistance of other members of the Family Section Steering Committee.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
DOS announced starting January 21, 2026, it will stop immigration visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. Applicants will still be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews, but no new visas will be issued. On August 21, 2026, a federal judge struck down the pause.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
TRAC reports that in June 2026, 94% of asylum cases decided were denied. Immigration judges granted only 771 individuals asylum during that period—less than a quarter of the number of individuals awarded asylum just three years ago.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the swearing in of a regional deputy chief immigration judge within the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, an administrative law judge within the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, 35 immigration judges, and 3 temporary immigration judges.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-11) to rescind PA-2025-21 and reinstate earlier Policy Manual guidance allowing nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to distribute and collect voter registration applications and register new citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 2, 2026.
9/2/26
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, October 6.
9/1/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP announced that effective 8/31/26 at 11:59 pm (ET), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), in Houston, TX, is no longer a designated airport for flights to the United States carrying persons who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, in accordance with the 8/28/26 district court order in Medani v. Trump, the pause of diversity visa issuance is no longer in effect.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, in accordance with the 8/21/26 district court order in CLINIC v. Rubio, the pause of immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The EB-5 Committee has noticed a trend where USCIS is transferring pending Form I-485s from California Service Center to Texas Service Center, with a substantial portion of transferred cases receiving RFEs for medical exams.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the contents of the September 2026 visa bulletin, noting anecdotal reports of EB-2 unavailability, and the recent cancellations of IV interviews. The briefing also provides a look ahead to fiscal year 2027.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Court Cases
USCIS announced it will comply with the 8/24/26 district court order in Red Eagle Law v. Edlow that temporarily lifts asylum and benefit adjudication holds for nationals of the 39 travel ban countries and Palestinian authority imposed by PMs 602-0192 and 602-0194, pending further litigation.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions
The court certified a class of nationals of the 39 travel ban countries and Palestinian authority whose pending asylum or benefit applications are subject to the adjudication hold in PM-602-0192 or PM-602-0194 and granted a preliminary injunction against the hold. (Red Eagle Law v. Edlow, 8/24/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA provides guidance on obtaining refunds when USCIS fails to meet premium processing timelines. The practice pointer reviews the legal basis for refunds, discusses reported agency practices, and outlines steps practitioners can take to request refunds.
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 September 1, 2026.
9/1/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Matthew Morley shares insights from working in Russia, explaining how the lack of in-country consulates means practitioners must consider travel access, local entry rules, appointment logistics, and more in counseling clients and helping them complete processing at designated posts.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS published new editions of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, and related Forms I-864A and I-864EZ on 8/31/26 (edition date: 08/24/26). USCIS will only accept the new edition of this form beginning 8/31/26, with no grace period.
Accessible to Public.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submits a comment on the proposed rulemaking for the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, urging USCIS to clarify transition rules, preserve existing investor protections, and ensure procedural fairness, along with other asks.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The AILA Global Migration Section (GMS) Analytics Subcommittee surveyed the GMS membership regarding residence by investment programs. These survey responses cover 30 countries.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal, International Associate.
Practice Resources
This practice pointer analyzes the impact of the DHS final rule eliminating duration of status for F, J, and I nonimmigrants on cap-gap and ongoing work authorization for F-1 students. It provides scenarios illustrating the impact before and after the transition period.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee provides a practice alert on the temporary final rule establishing an optional $750 fee for expedited B‑1/B2 visa interview appointments. The pilot program launched at Mission Mexico on July 21, 2026. DOS continues to add additional posts to the pilot.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the visa bond for certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL final rule rescinding formal procedures for coordination among its component agencies to enforce protections for temporary and seasonal farmworkers. The rule is effective 9/30/26. (91 FR 55744, 8/31/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS interim final rule allowing asylum officers to refer certain asylum applications to EOIR without conducting an asylum interview. The rule is effective 7/28/26. Comments are due 9/28/26. (91 FR 47101, 7/28/26; 91 FR 55735, 8/31/26)
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 31, 2026.
8/31/26
Accessible to Public.