Professional Resources
As 2025 ends, pause and plan for steady technology improvements in 2026, focusing on meaningful and manageable changes rather than overwhelming overhauls to get results.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 4, 2025.
12/4/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that as of 12/15/25, it will expand online presence review requirements to all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to students and exchange visitors. DOS instructs all such applicants to set their social media profiles to public.
Congressional Updates
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) re-introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act. This bill would enact important reforms to immigration detention for which AILA has long advocated, including requiring DHS to establish civil detention standards. AILA endorses the bill.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s CBP Committee seeks case examples of AOS applicants who have been asked by CBP to pay the $1,000 parole fee upon reentry to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad.
Featured Issues
The U.S. immigration court system plays a critical role in ensuring due process and fair hearings for people facing deportation. But the Trump Administration has made significant changes that challenge the integrity of these courts. On this page, you will find news and resources on these changes.
The AILA DOS Liaison Committee meets with the Department of State to discuss issues related to consular processing, including the National Visa Center (NVC) and Kentucky Consular Center matters. The committee also meets with the NVC to address issues relevant to its processes and procedures.
12/3/25
AILA Doc. No. 16072815.
Congressional Updates
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) introduced the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act. This proposed bill would ensure temporary immigration judges have essential expertise in immigration law to enhance the fairness and accuracy of adjudications. AILA endorses this bill.
AILA Blog
AILA Practice and Policy Counsel Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres details the recently introduced Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act and how the bill "is a crucial step towards a fairer and more just immigration court system."
12/3/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120365.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court issued a published an order denying the petitioner’s request for a stay of removal, emphasizing that equitable relief, even if it is temporary or short, is never a matter of right or convenience. (Labrador Gutierrez v. Bondi, 11/26/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s finding that the Colombian government was able to protect petitioner and his family from gang threats, and thus found he failed to show the required nexus for his asylum or withholding claims. (Restrepo Castano v. Bondi, 11/26/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA and IJ failed to properly assess whether the Guatemalan government would acquiesce to petitioner being tortured in prison by private parties who would target him if he returned to Guatemala, and thus remanded his claim for CAT relief. (B.G.S. v. Bondi, 11/24/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 3, 2025.
12/3/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy memo holding asylum applications for all applicants and all pending benefit applications for people from countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10949. It directs re-review of all approved benefit requests for people from those countries who entered on or after 1/20/21.
Practice Resources
Class counsel for Maldonado Bautista provides a practice advisory providing a synopsis of the District Court’s decisions, as well as information for how to request a bond hearing. This advisory also briefly describes potential next steps in the Maldonado Bautista litigation.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC announced that, due to the recent lapse in appropriations, the Employment and Training Administration is delaying publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the new monthly Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for herding or production of livestock on the range under the H-2A program.
Correspondence
On December 2, the H-2B Workforce Coalition Sent a Letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging them to make available 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026. AILA, along with local, state, and national organizations signed on to this letter.
Professional Resources
We all have moments where we need to do work on the go, but knowing how to ensure our internet connection is secure is crucial to protect your data. Sharon D. Nelson and John W. Simek provide you with the safety tips to connect to public Wi-Fi.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 2, 2025.
12/2/25
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of successful and rejected paper-filed H-1B petitions that have used any of the payment option forms (Form G-1450, Form G-1650, or Form G-1651). Received data will help the Committee determine any potential practice resources or clarification requests
Press Releases
As the Trump Administration made a rapid series of immigration policy announcements and changes following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson responded in this statement.
12/1/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120110.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s Amicus Committee is preparing a “stories” amicus brief to illustrate the real-world human and systemic harms caused by the government’s unlawful application of expedited removal to paroled individuals—from the perspective of immigration attorneys and their clients.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced new guidance to allow negative, country-specific factors to be considered when vetting immigration benefit applicants from the 19 countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10949.
Practice Resources
AILA has put together a practice alert covering new immigration restrictions following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC. Among these new restrictions are the halt of all asylum decisions and specific restrictions and changes for Afghan and travel ban country nationals.
Practice Resources
AILA provides a practice alert on the DOS pause of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE and E-Verify issued announcements regarding the termination of TPS for Haiti. The TPS designation and related benefits will terminate 2/3/26. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under this designation will also expire 2/3/26.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that DHS Secretary is terminating the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Termination will be effective 2/3/26. EADs issued under this designation will also expire 2/3/26. (90 FR 54733, 11/28/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA did not err in concluding that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitioner failed to show extraordinary circumstances that would excuse his six-year delay in seeking reopening under the special rule for VAWA petitioners. (Sarkisov v. Bondi, 11/21/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 1, 2025.
12/1/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court reversed BIA’s order finding petitioner no longer qualified as a “child” under the INA because she was over 21 at the time of the BIA’s decision, holding that age for cancellation under §240A(b)(1)(D) is determined when the IJ issues its decision. (Perez-Perez v. Bondi, 11/21/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion when it ignored credible, unrebutted, and legally significant evidence in the record and concluded that petitioner failed to demonstrate that the Honduran government was unable or unwilling to control MS-13. (Ramos Marquez v. Bondi, 11/19/25)
Agency Memos & Announcements
Effective immediately, USCIS will consider relevant country-specific facts and circumstances such as those outlined in PP 10949 when adjudicating discretionary benefit requests such as adjustment of status applications, extension of nonimmigrant stay, and change of nonimmigrant status.