Tutorial Videos, Professional Resources
Innovation and Technology Committee member Jeff O'Brien shares about the newest USCIS Case Status API in this short five minute video.
Practice Resources
The American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Litigation Alliance provide this practice advisory with a basic overview of motions to reopen removal orders that are filed by EOIR.
Amicus Briefs/Alerts
AILA urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Fourth Circuit’s decision foreclosing a noncitizen from obtaining judicial review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) decision in a withholding-only proceeding.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA leadership for discussions of the rapid-fire changes to immigration policy that are anticipated during the first two weeks of the Trump Administration. Register now for our live video roundtables on January 24 and January 31.
Practice Resources
Read the January 2025 edition of the monthly newsletter brought to you by the members of the Family Section Steering Committee.
Practice Resources
AILA's Business Section provides a practice pointer that is designed to be a clear visual guide and reminder of some of the new form and filing changes, in the hopes of minimizing Form I-129 rejections for H-1B cases.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 13, 2025.
1/13/25
Press Releases
AILA ED Ben Johnson welcomed news of several actions taken by the Biden Administration including extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela and adding Romania to the Visa Waiver Program.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS has reached the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas allocated for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025. Petitions for workers from specific countries and exemptions remain open.
Practice Resources
The Edakunni settlement is set to expire on Saturday, January 18, 2025, two years after the effective date of the settlement agreement. Read this practice alert for more information.
Practice Resources
AILA's Verification and Documentation Committee provides an update in connection with the ICE fine matrix for Form I-9 violations.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced the 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela. A notice in the Federal Register will be published.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced the 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine. This extension allows approximately 103,700 current eligible beneficiaries to re-register if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. A notice in the Federal Register will be published.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced the 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan. This extension allows approximately 1,900 current eligible beneficiaries to re-register if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. A notice in the Federal Register will be published.
Practice Resources
Stop and ground yourself in this 15-minute mindfulness meditation led by Cheryl Aguilar.
Agency Memos & Announcements
In response to the Los Angeles County fires, DHS reassures the public that ICE and CBP will not conduct immigration enforcement at emergency response sites. DHS prioritizes safety, providing aid regardless of immigration status, and supports search, rescue, and public safety efforts.
1/10/25
AILA Doc. No. 25011065.
Agency Memos & Announcements
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, announced Romania’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), recognizing its compliance with stringent security standards.
1/10/25
AILA Doc. No. 25011064.
FR Regulations & Notices
Advance copy of DHS notice extending the designation of El Salvador for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on 3/10/25 and ending on 9/9/26. Notice will be published in the Federal Register on 1/17/26.
AILA Public Statements, Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submitted technical and substantive comments to USCIS regarding an Agency Information Collection proposing revisions to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a simple flyer to help your clients understand the basics of DED for certain Lebanese nationals. There is a generic PDF version and a customizable Word version. Please share widely with your networks.
Practice Resources
The H-2 Subcommittee of AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides the following Practice Alert regarding the new H-2 related questions added to the revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, effective 1/17/25.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 10, 2025.
1/10/25
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by DOL, including ETA civil penalties. (90 FR 1854, 1/10/25)
Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE provided a fact sheet on what to do if a parent is in ICE custody and visitation is being arranged either in person or remotely.
Professional Resources
Reid Trautz, Senior Director of the Practice and Professionalism center, gives you 6 tips on how to maximize your productivity.
AILA Blog
AILA Law Journal co-author Ted R. Bromund shares insights into the article he wrote with Sandra Grossman and the conflict that “happens when INTERPOL’s presumption of state legitimacy runs into a criminal justice system based on the presumption of innocence.”
1/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010900.
Crimes
Featured Issues
Use this page to view AILA resources on how members and others can prepare for a second Trump Administration.
1/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 24110804.
Adjustment of Status, Admissions & Border, Asylum, Business Immigration, Consular Processing, Employer Compliance, Family Immigration, Practice Management, Prosecutorial Discretion, Removal & Relief, Waivers, Well-Being
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 9, 2025.
1/9/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that it will continue to accept copies of original signatures on all forms and documents as a permanent policy. This policy includes all benefit forms and documents, even if the form instructions require an original handwritten (“wet”) signature.
1/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 22080431.
Practice Resources
AILA is issuing this practice alert to provide details about refunds being issued by USCIS for the Keeping Families Together Parole Program.
Practice Resources
USCIS has confirmed that the current edition of Form I-129 (4/1/24) must be received by 1/17/25. Forms submitted after this date will not be accepted. The 1/17/25 edition will be required thereafter. Members should submit forms promptly to meet the deadline.
1/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010806.
Congressional Updates
AILA submitted a recommendation to senators that they vote no on the Laken Riley Act. AILA sent a similar vote recommendation to representatives.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Liaison Committee provides a practice alert that DOL has completed the randomization process for H-2B applications received between 1/1/25 and 1/3/25 requesting a start date of April 1.
Practice Resources
On January 6, 2025, USCIS confirmed to AILA that members who filed requests for defensive asylum biometrics prior to and after September 2024 will be automatically scheduled for a biometrics appointment if needed, once an individual merits hearing date is issued.
1/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 24120233.
Asylum
Practice Resources
AILA’s High Impact Adjudications Assistance (HIAA) Committee provides members with common considerations when preparing Form I-485, based on a previous call for examples and in light of the recent USCIS announcement of the new Forms I-485 and I-864.
Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE provides contact information for each of its detention facilities.
AILA Announcements
Registration is open for Spring 2025! Spanish for Lawyers – Advanced offers a 10-week deep dive into immigration law terminology. With live weekly virtual classes, exercises, and discussions, it runs March 3–May 9, 2025. Build skills with expert guidance—register now!
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual to clarify how it evaluates evidence for O-1A nonimmigrant petitions for individuals of extraordinary ability. The guidance includes examples of evidence, with a focus on those in critical and emerging technologies.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 8, 2025.
1/8/25
Professional Resources
Read this week's hypothetical and see how AILA's Ethics Compendium can help provide answers to these types of ethical scenarios. This week's hypothetical involves a removal defense attorney failing to communicate properly with her non-English-speaking client, raising Rule 1.4 concerns.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The EOIR will open a new immigration court in Indianapolis on 1/27/25 to address the growing needs of Indiana stakeholders. The court, located at the Minton-Capehart Federal Building, will be staffed by seven immigration judges.
1/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010704.
AILA Announcements
Donald Trump has promised to launch massive deportations and has a history of imposing harmful impediments into the immigration system. The time to act is NOW. President Biden must take every possible step to remove or delay the harmful policies promised by the incoming Administration.
1/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 24112505.
Professional Resources
Are you wondering how to properly address inflation at your law firm? This practice success tip discusses price hikes, how to discuss it with clients, and other tactics companies have employed to make it through inflationary periods.
Practice Resources
AILA’s CBP OFO Committee seeks examples of green card holders whose trusted traveler program privileges have been suspended while waiting for approval of a requested immigration benefit.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On 1/7/25, the CIS Ombudsman announced translations of two key tip sheets for case assistance requests into Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish. The resources guide users on when and how to request help with USCIS issues.
1/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010703.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS updated its Policy Manual on 1/7/25 to clarify customer service procedures for Form I-589, I-881 applicants, and those in credible fear or Safe Third Country screenings, emphasizing identity verification and confidentiality in responses.
1/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010702.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On 1/6/25, OFLC released the randomized assignment groups for 8,759 H-2B applications, covering 149,953 worker positions, with a start date of 4/1/25. The publication follows procedures outlined in the 3/4/19 Federal Register notice.
1/7/25
AILA Doc. No. 25010701.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on January 7, 2025.
1/7/25
Practice Resources
OFLC representatives attended the Practicing Law Institute immigration law conference on December 4, 2024. AILA's DOL Liaison Committee also participated in the conference and provided OFLC's answers to questions raised during it.