Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion by rejecting petitioners’ brief because it listed an address for their attorney that was different from the address on the attorney’s notice of appearance and then summarily dismissing their appeal. (Pineda-Guerra, et al. v. Bondi, 12/3/25)
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee is monitoring these visa restrictions, as they are part of DOS’s expanded use of visa revocation.
Practice Resources
Reports of technical glitches with newly available online PDF filing for Form I-140 have been reported. Members are encouraged to report tech issues to USCIS' Digital Services Division via the "Need Help Form." A sample reporting form is included with this practice alert.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to inform your clients of the Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B workers. The flyer is available as a generic PDF version as well as a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
Professional Resources
Being known for representing clients who commit fraud can damage an attorney’s reputation. In four hypotheticals, this article discusses whether an attorney can ethically represent a client who has engaged in marriage fraud, including fraud committed to get a green card in the first place.
12/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 22072634.
Ethics
Professional Resources
Researching salary data can be stressful, let this AI tool help you with the first steps.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS posted a new form, I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program. Before filling out Form I-140G, applicants must first register on trumpcard.gov and receive confirmation that their submission was accepted. The associated fee is $15,000 per person.
12/11/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121101.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 11, 2025.
12/11/25
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to inform your clients of USCIS policies pausing processing for many benefits requests and ordering re-review of certain approved applications. The flyer is available as a generic PDF as well as a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
Federal Agencies, AILA Announcements
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced a webinar on 12/17/25 to update stakeholders on the process for filing H-2B applications with a start date of 4/1/26 or later. The webinar will be recorded.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
CBP request for comments on revision of Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94) and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Revisions include updates to CBP Home functionality, requiring ESTA applicants to submit a current photo, and more. Comments are due 2/9/26. (90 FR 57208, 12/10/15)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
CBP request for comments on revision of Form I-736, Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information. The revisions are being made to transition the form to a new, automated system as outlined in an Interim Final Rule previously published in the Federal Register. Comments are due 1/9/26. (90 FR 57211, 12/10/25)
Professional Resources
Overwhelmed by all the things you need to get done? AILA member Laura Kelley is here to teach you how to use time-blocking in your schedule to create healthy boundaries and get your daily work done.
Practice Resources
Creating a happy and productive culture at your firm can feel challenging, but it's not impossible. Get inspired by these fundamental tips can help create a positive work enviroment for the entire firm.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 10, 2025.
12/10/25
AILA Blog
AILA DOS Committee Member Daniel Parisi describes changes to State Department reports on human rights, and how "the consequences are troubling: if country-condition evidence becomes less complete, the factual basis of asylum, withholding, CAT, and humanitarian-based applications may be undermined."
12/10/25
AILA Doc. No. 25121061.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
On 9/11/25, USCIS issued a Public Status Report containing class member asylum data for Ahmed v. DHS. The class action lawsuit challenged DHS’s failure to adjudicate asylum applications for Afghans who arrived in the U.S. under “Operation Allies Welcome” within Congress’s 150-day deadline.
Immigration News
Border Report highlights AILA's recent press briefing about the Trump Administration's latest far-reaching immigration restrictions. AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson stated: "These sweeping restrictions will not make our nation safer."
AILA Announcements
Urge Congress to oppose the indefinite pause on asylum and immigration processing and urge DHS to rescind these harmful policies.
12/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120905.
AILA Announcements
Call your representative to oppose the asylum and immigration pause and demand USCIS return to fair, timely processing for our communities.
12/9/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120904.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding a FAM update that provides for the issuance of B-1 visas to FIFA-accredited volunteers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the U.S.
Federal Agencies, 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 Yuma Sector of California and Arizona. The waiver is effective 12/9/2025. (90 FR 57089, 12/9/2025)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that 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 Rio Grande Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 12/9/2025. (90 FR 57088, 12/9/2025)
Professional Resources
This week’s Practice Success Tip gives over 50 real uses for generative artificial intelligence that are safe and help save time and energy in an immigration law practice. Look for uses that can benefit you.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 9, 2025.
12/9/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The CIS Ombudsman released a redacted 2025 Annual Report to the public. The report focuses on alleged exploitation of the CHNV and U4U parole programs, document authentication at ASCs, digitizing USCIS records, addressing typos in secure identity documents, and resolving NTA service errors.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced the establishment of the USCIS Vetting Center, a specialized unit to be headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The stated purpose of the unit is to "centralize the enhanced vetting" of applicants and "allow the agency to respond more nimbly to changes in a shifting threat landscape."
12/8/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120806.
Practice Resources
On November 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register Notice terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, effective February 3, 2026. Please see this practice alert for information on impact to employees and employers of TPS Haiti beneficiaries.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that threats from masked men, two brief beatings, and a short detention of the Sikh Mann party member petitioner did not rise to the level of past persecution, and found that he could avoid future persecution by relocating within India. (Singh v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the denial of asylum and other relief, finding that petitioner’s proposed PSGs were not cognizable, that internal relocation was reasonable, and that she failed to show a likelihood of torture. (Cristales-de Linares, et al. v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Practice Resources
On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced changes to the maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain categories. Please see this practice alert for more details and practical implications.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 8, 2025.
12/8/25
Policy Briefs
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C., the Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns. This brief analyzes these new restrictions, why they are not needed, and policy recommendations.
Featured Issues
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the Administration announced multiple policy changes significantly restricting legal immigration. This page brings together updates and resources about these changes.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Denying the petition for review, the court held that the relevant Controlled Substances Act (CSA) definition for determining removability under INA §237(a)(2)(B)(i) is the one in effect at the time of the noncitizen’s conviction, not at the time of removal proceedings. (Dor v. Bondi, 12/1/25)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-28) updating the Policy Manual to clarify USCIS policy on obtaining biometrics for individuals in custody with pending benefit requests with USCIS. The guidance is effective 12/5/25. Feedback is due 1/5/26.
Examples & Questions
We are collecting information on the impact of the sweeping immigration restrictions implemented in late 2025 for travel ban countries and a halt on adjudicating all asylum applications. These examples will be used for advocacy and education purposes, both for external partners and AILA members.
Practice Resources
AILA members report receiving no notice when asylum interviews are scheduled in online-filed asylum cases. This practice alert describes what practitioners do and do not see in their online filing accounts when an asylum interview is scheduled and offers practice tips to avoid missing an interview.
Featured Issues
Americans broadly support granting permanent legal status to dreamers, undocumented immigrants, and people with temporary status. This page compiles resources related to DACA and efforts to gain protections, including paths to cititzenship, for dreamers and others without permanent legal status.
12/5/25
AILA Doc. No. 25120300.
DACA
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 5, 2025.
12/5/25
Practice Resources
AILA National alerts the membership regarding pause on final adjudications of all form types for nationals from travel ban countries. AILA will continue to provide further updates as they become available. Members are encouraged to submit reports to the USCIS Operations Committee.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced it will shorten the validity period of EADs for several categories, including for refugees and asylees, from 5 years to 18 months for applications pending or filed on or after 12/5/25. USCIS also noted the shortened validity period mandated by H.R. 1 for TPS-holders and parolees.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS released a policy alert (PA-2025-27) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period of EADs for many EAD categories, including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, parolees, TPS-holders, and more. Feedback is due 1/5/26.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert on the DOS announcement of expanded screening and vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s CBP Liaison Committee met with CBP Office of Field Operations officials in Washington, D.C. on October 17, 2025.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s CBP Committee provides unofficial minutes from its meeting with CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) on 10/17/25. Topics discussed include CBP priorities, biometric exit, and parole, among others.
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