Practice Resources
On July 21, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary stay preventing USCIS from retroactively implementing certain provisions of H.R. 1.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Featured Issues
Immigration courts face a profound structural problem—they operate under DOJ and are therefore extremely vulnerable to political interference. This page collects resources, updates, and opportunities to advocate for establishing an independent immigration court with the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 23, 2026.
7/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s Student Visa Taskforce provides an overview of the DHS final rule changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period, with tips for practitioners going forward.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
AILA members can save 25% during the exclusive presale of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook 20th Edition. Fully updated by Ira Kurzban and his team, this essential resource covers the latest immigration law, policy, and procedure. Reserve your copy today at the lowest price available.
7/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
A compilation of federal ethics resources from DHS, USCIS, and EOIR including contact information of the disciplinary office, rules and procedures of professional conduct and selected articles and publications.
7/22/26
AILA Doc. No. 12071243.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s VAWA, Us, and Ts Committee shares this practice pointer with questions asked during the AC26 panel “Advanced VAWA Practice” and related responses. Key points addressed include evidence of abuse, VAWA filing strategy and eligibility, and VAWA petitioners in removal proceedings.
7/22/26
AILA Doc. No. 26072266.
VAWA
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Need a trusted go-to for everyday immigration practice? AILA’s Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual (“the Cookbook”) is packed with practical guidance, checklists, sample letters, and more to help you confidently handle common immigration matters. Order your copy today.
7/22/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions
On July 22, a federal judge issued an administrative stay in an APA and due process challenge to USCIS policies affecting TPS holders and asylum seekers. The order temporarily preserves work authorization while the court considers broader relief, with a decision expected by August 5.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 22, 2026.
7/22/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ clearly erred in finding likely torture based on generalized country conditions evidence while overlooking the applicant's individualized circumstances, and that he did not show likely acquiescence by a public official. Matter of H–L–S–M–, 29 I&N Dec. 767 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that “Brazilian children” and “abandoned Brazilian children” lack sufficient particularity and that respondent, who did not show Brazil was unable or unwilling to control perpetrators, was ineligible for humanitarian asylum. Matter of A–G–O–F–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 772 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that petitioner was denied due process where the immigration court’s electronic filing system and a court clerk prevented him from timely filing his Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) motion to reopen and the agency then denied the motion as untimely. (Burey v. Blanche, 7/14/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the IJ clearly erred in finding likely torture based on generalized country conditions evidence while overlooking the applicant's individualized circumstances, and that he did not show likely acquiescence by a public official. Matter of H–L–S–M–, 29 I&N Dec. 767 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Stay ahead of evolving immigration enforcement with Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity. This essential guide delivers critical updates and practical strategies for representing noncitizen clients facing detention, removal, and other immigration consequences. Order today!
7/22/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS IFR implementing certain H.R. 1 fees and requirements, effective 5/29/26. It states USCIS will reject asylum applications if the Annual Asylum Fee is not paid within 30 days of notification, limits validity of EADs under TPS to a year, and more. (91 FR 22952, 4/29/26; 91 FR 45637, 7/21/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA and the American Immigration Council urge members to ask Congress to sign Rep. Sylvia Garcia’s discharge petition and bring H.R.1589 - American Dream and Promise Act to a vote. Take action today and ask your Representative to sign the petition and vote YES!
Accessible to Public.
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 Tucson Sector of Arizona. The waiver is effective 7/21/26. (91 FR 45823, 7/21/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced it will close the Batavia Immigration Court at close of business on 7/24/26. Pending cases will transfer to the Buffalo Immigration Court and will be heard via teleconference. Pleadings, motions, and correspondence should be filed with the Buffalo Court beginning 7/27/26.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 21, 2026.
7/21/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Remzi Güvenç Kulen describes how practitioners can prepare to address the structural change in the E-2 National Interest Waiver space and avoid RFEs, writing that “USCIS now expects petitioners to clear the underlying EB-2 classification before it reaches the waiver analysis at all.”
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
CDC notice with comment period extending the Title 42 Order that suspends entry for non-citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days. Comments are due 7/31/26. (91 FR 43636, 7/16/16)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it has has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC announced that on 7/29/26 at 1:00 PM ER it will hold a webinar on for using surveys to complete Form ETA-9141, Application for Prevailing Wage Determination. It will cover key survey concepts, format and structure, and calculating the prevailing wage.
Accessible to Public.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for August 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.
Practice Resources
Beginning July 22, 2026, OBBBA cuts short TPS EAD automatic extensions. Many TPS holders with A12/C19 EADs who relied on the former 540-day extension will lose work authorization unless a new EAD is issued. Employers should identify affected workers and complete I-9 reverification.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
DOS posted the August 2026 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates”, “Dates for Filing”, the Diversity Visa (DV) program, availability of family-sponsored and employment-based visas, EB-1 availability for India, EB-2 availability, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and more.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule rescinding the 2022 regulation on public charge determinations, which instructed USCIS officers to consider specific public benefits when determining if an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The rule is effective 9/18/26. (91 FR 45324, 7/20/26)
Accessible to Public.
The practice of law is a profession, but your law practice is a business. Whether you seek assistance with managing your work flow, obtaining new clients, dealing with staff, enhancing finances, or incorporating technology, AILA resources can help you achieve even greater success.
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 20, 2026.
7/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Court Cases
The D.C. Circuit granted the government's renewed motion in Make the Road New York v. Mullin to have the expanded expedited removal policy take effect immediately. The expansion designation is now unblocked and in effect. (Make the Road New York v. Mullin, 7/17/16)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS published an announcement with FAQs about the department’s plans to transition visa operations in Africa to regional hubs beginning 8/1/26.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a stay on DOS’s visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals involved in social media content moderation and related research, ruling that the policy likely violates the First Amendment and Administrative Procedure Act.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify issued updates on the status of EADs issued under TPS designations for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under these designations remain valid and extended. E-Verify will display a 7/24/26 expiration date.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE issued updates on the status of EADs issued under Temporary Protected Status designations for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Category A12 or C19 EADs issued under these designations remain valid and extended. SAVE will display a 7/24/26 expiration date.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period. It has been classified as a major rule subject to congressional review. The effective date is 9/15/26. (91 FR 44976, 7/17/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a parent’s decision to leave a U.S. citizen child in the United States without parental care does not, on its own, create exceptional and extremely unusual hardship, and that parental care is not the only sufficient care. Matter of Lopez-Davila, 29 I&N Dec. 763 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
The 2026 AILA National Election for Officers and regionally-elected Directors of the Board was concluded on July 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET.
7/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071761.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 17, 2026.
7/17/26
Accessible to Public.
The AILA Asylum and Refugee Committee holds monthly meetings to discuss refugee and asylum law, including case law, policy updates, and local practice issues. The committee also participates in agency liaison engagements, drafts comments on proposed regulations, and writes practice pointers.
7/17/26
AILA Doc. No. 21062132.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The June 5, 2026 decision vacating USCIS policies pausing certain adjudications will remain in effect while the government pursues an appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. AILA members should share examples how this decision is being implemented by USCIS.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify posted that employer accounts are having technical issues related to a new account validation feature. E-Verify is working to address the issue but does not have a timeline for its resolution.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR Director Daren Margolin issued a Policy Memorandum (PM 26-06) on public access to EOIR hearings. The memo outlines policy for providing public access to EOIR spaces, when immigration hearings may be closed, guidance for observing hearings, and reporting procedures for public access violations.
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
AILA raised serious concerns about the Trump Administration’s changes to the “public charge” rule which will take effect on September 20, 2026, warning that the policy would create confusion, expand government agents’ discretion without accountability, and harm immigrant families and communities.
7/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 26071604.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Court Cases
The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island denied the government’s motion to stay the 6/5/26 decision vacating USCIS's Benefits and Global Asylum Hold Policies, Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and Country-Specific Factors Policy pending appeal. (Dorcas Int'l Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, 6/5/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced a final rule changing the admission period in the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and I (representatives of foreign information media) classifications from duration of status to admission for a fixed period. The rule will publish on 7/17/26. An advance copy is available.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced a final rule to rescind the 2022 regulation on public charge determinations, which instructed USCIS officers to consider specific public benefits when determining if an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The rule will be published on 7/20/26. An advance copy is available.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on July 16, 2026.
7/16/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court declined to address unexhausted arguments that the agency relied on the wrong statute to declare the petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal based on her Nebraska negligent child abuse conviction and overlooked the petty-offense exception. (Lopez-Lopez v. Blanche, 7/7/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion in denying reopening based on ineffective assistance of counsel, incorrectly concluding it lacked authority over conduct before a different tribunal and finding a courtesy copy provided sufficient notice. (Menjivar-Ayala v. Blanche, 7/9/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.