Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submitted a comment to USCIS in opposition to the agency's proposed naturalization fee schedule and elimination of both fee waivers and the reduced fee option for naturalization applicants.
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson respond to a proposed rule through which the Trump Administration laid out plans to impose a more than $100,000 fee, essentially a tax, on U.S. employers seeking to file petitions for new cap-subject H-1B visas.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for September 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.
Federal Agencies
DOS posted the September 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on family-sponsored and employment-based “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing,” Diversity Visa (DV) availability, FY 2026 visa limits, EB-1 India, EB-2 and EB-5 availability, and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a conviction under INA §101(a)(48)(A) is a formal judgment of guilt from a criminal proceeding affording minimum constitutional protections and a criminal sentence, and that the petitioner’s New Jersey disorderly persons offense qualified. (Wong v. Blanche, 8/19/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Examples & Questions
AILA’s USCIS Benefits Policy and Innovation & Technology Committees seek examples of problems encountered when electronically filing immigration benefit requests. Feedback may be included in comments responding to DHS’s August 11, 2026, IFR on mandatory electronic filing.
8/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082404.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the removal ground for export law violations, INA §237(a)(4)(A)(i), is not limited to national security threats and covered the petitioner’s unlawful export of firearms, and that substantial evidence supported the denial of CAT deferral. (Olibris v. Blanche, 8/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a false use of a passport conviction under 18 USC §1543 was categorically a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT), requiring the Nigerian petitioner, an LPR, to seek admission upon returning to the United States under INA §101(a)(13)(C)(v). (Ademola v. Blanche, 8/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 24, 2026.
8/24/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that INA §242(a)(2) does not strip jurisdiction to review the denial of a motion to submit late-filed evidence, and that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s adverse credibility determination and its denial of CAT deferral of removal. (Lopez-Barrera v. Blanche, 8/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Trump’s EO on “Ending Birth Tourism” directs DOS and DHS to implement measures against individuals and entities involved in birth tourism, including visa denials, revocations, removals, and potential permanent bars. The EO raises implementation and scope questions pending agency guidance.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Fraudsters are stealing immigration lawyers’ identities to rob vulnerable immigrants seeking legal representation. AILA’s Charity Anastasio has seen an uptick in AI-generated scams: “They can just impersonate you with technologies that anybody can buy very cheaply” and create fake websites and ads.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
DOS has launched a pilot allowing select immigrant visa applicants found inadmissible under INA §212(a)(4) to seek a public charge bond through USCIS. The bond is an additional remedy, not a waiver or substitute for Form I-864. Reports indicate the pilot may begin in Santo Domingo.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Chapter Documents
October 1 - 2, 2026
Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
This event is being presented by AILA's Oregon Chapter. This event is not being organized by the AILA National Office.
8/21/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082101.
Accessible to: Member, Student, International Associate.
FR Regulations & Notices
EOIR final rule implementing inflation adjustments to FY2027 EOIR fees as a result of the provisions in H.R. 1. Fee increases for forms and motions range between $20 and $50 and are effective for all filings submitted on or after 10/1/26. (91 FR 54211, 8/21/26).
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 21, 2026.
8/21/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the denial of asylum, withholding, and CAT relief because the record did not compel a finding that petitioner’s abuse was on account of a proposed social group or that Guatemala would acquiesce in torture. (Matias-Pablo v. Blanche, 8/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced updated procedures for rescheduling affirmative asylum interviews, effective 8/21/26. Applicants must establish exceptional circumstances to reschedule. USCIS will no longer issue Failure to Appear Warning notices and may dismiss or refer certain cases after a missed interview.
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
An attorney leaving a firm or nonprofit has a duty to notify current clients. Learn the ethical rules, duties, and best practices around that duty in this article form Sarah McElwaney, member of the AILA National Ethics Committee.
8/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082005.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the finding that the petitioner, a former Salvadoran police officer, failed to establish a nexus to his status as a former officer, because all the threats he received occurred while he was still active. (Gonzalez-Argueta v. Blanche, 8/13/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 20, 2026.
8/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the Mexican petitioner’s conviction under California Penal Code §288.2(b) for distributing harmful matter to a minor to seduce that minor was categorically a crime of child abuse under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i) barring cancellation of removal. (Adame Garcia v. Blanche, 8/10/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOJ notice of revision and extension of Form EOIR-42A, Application for Cancellation of Removal for Certain Permanent Residents and Form EOIR-42B, Application for Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent Residents. Comments are due 10/19/26. (91 FR 53897, 8/20/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the Mexican petitioner’s Oregon conviction for using a child in a display of sexually explicit content was categorically a crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment, rendering him removable under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i). (Gonzalez-Godinez v. Blanche, 8/10/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held a noncitizen may file only one motion to reopen, whether with the immigration court or the BIA, subject to the statutory exception for battered spouses, children, and parents, and equitable tolling does not apply to the number bar. Matter of M–M–L–J–, 29 I&N Dec. 843 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP’s Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) provides a reference sheet for air carriers addressing challenges with Ebola travel restrictions.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS issued a 30-day notice seeking public comment on the extension, without change, of the approved E-Verify+. Comments will be accepted through 9/18/26. (91 FR 53630, 8/19/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE and E-Verify posted updates on the termination of TPS and related benefits for Ethiopia. Ethiopia's TPS designation is terminated, effective 8/18/26. EADs with category A12 or C19 issued to TPS Ethiopia beneficiaries are no longer valid.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced it will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on 9/18/26 to align with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Starting 9/18/26, USCIS will reject old editions of the form with no grace period.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The Verification Committee provides a comprehensive chart on current status and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
Special thank you to Kathleen Campbell Walker, Meredith Jolie, John Mazzeo, Timothy D’Arduini, Sarah Peterson, and Kimberley Best Robidoux for their contributions to the chart.
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 19, 2026.
8/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that INA §242(b)(1)’s 30-day deadline is subject to equitable tolling, and found that the BIA erred in its political opinion and particular social group (PSG) analyses and abused its discretion in denying CAT relief. (Navarro Cerritos v. Blanche, 8/11/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the agency legally erred by focusing on why the persecutor targeted her former partner rather than why he threatened her, and that the record compelled the conclusion that the nexus requirement was met. (Orellana-Ramos v. Blanche, 8/10/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a stay of removal must be vacated where the petitioner can no longer carry his burden on the four factors in Nken v. Holder, and that his likelihood of success is the product of the likelihood on each independent issue. (Aristy-Rosa v. Att’y Gen., 8/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.