AILA’s Student Visa Taskforce provides a resource detailing how the DHS final rule eliminating duration of status will impact unlawful presence for F, J, and I nonimmigrants.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA provides updates on the most recent information obtained from reports on premium processing issues. Continued reports should be submitted directly to AILA's USCIS Operations Committee.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
Drawing on Dolly Parton’s legacy of compassion, dignity, and hope, AILA Board Member Brittany Faith reflects on how Dolly's recording of “Deportee” speaks to immigration advocacy today: honoring the names, stories, and humanity of those our members represent and defend.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a Florida conviction for robbery by sudden snatching is categorically an aggravated felony theft offense under INA §101(a)(43)(G), rendering the petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal under INA §240A(a). (Ramdial v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 8/21/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a person in good standing in one jurisdiction does not meet the regulatory definition of “attorney” if restricted from practicing in another, and denied reinstatement because the respondent practiced while suspended. Matter of Jones, 29 I&N Dec. 850 (BIA 2026)
8/26/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082664.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On April 28, 2026, DOS issued a cable directing consular officers to ask nonimmigrant visa applicants if they fear returning to their country of residence, and to refuse visas for those who respond affirmatively.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-10) updating the Policy Manual to resume neighborhood investigations for naturalization applicants under INA § 335(a), ending the general waiver of such investigations, and reinforcing procedures for examining and verifying eligibility for naturalization.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
In 2025, USCIS issued policy guidance eliminating the automatic consideration of deferred action for individuals granted SIJS. Since then, there have been several developments in the SIJ program. Please see alert for more details.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 26, 2026.
8/26/26
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
CBP rule establishes four Customs-Enforcement Areas off South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Texas Gulf Coast to strengthen maritime anti-smuggling operations and expand enforcement authority in designated coastal waters, effective 8/25/26. (91 FR 54800, 8/25/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS rescinded Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism citing actions by the Syrian government to counter terrorism and support economic recovery. (U.S. Department of State Press Statement, 8/24/26)
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of receipt delays specifically, although not exclusively, for Form I-751, Form I-90, and Form I-829.
Examples must be submitted by no later than 11:59pm ET on Sep. 7, 2026.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
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.
8/25/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082537.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
This article from Innovation and Tech Committee member Michael Turansick briefs the first court rulings on AI use and attorney-client privilege—United States v. Heppner and Warner v. Gilbarco —and discusses their implications for immigration law practice. A practical and important must read!
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS published a proposed rule establishing a new $103,265 fee for H-1B cap-subject petitions, including cases eligible for the advanced-degree exemption, to help fund immigration system costs across multiple federal agencies. Comments are due 30 days after publication.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison committee provides a practice alert detailing the process of prudential visa revocations and addressing recent reports of planned visa revocations targeting B-1/B-2 visa holders.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Amicus Briefs/Alerts
AILA filed this Amicus Curiae in response to BALCA's request for input in the Matter of ITM Landscaping, LLC., in which AILA explains why it disagrees with DOL OFLC's Certifying Officer's assertion that modifications to Forms ETA-9089 or ETA-9141 are prohibited pursuant to 20 C.F.R. Sec. 656.11(b).
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee shares key highlights and practice considerations under the two new evidentiary status memos announced by USCIS on 8/5/2026- PA-2026-05 and PA-2026-06.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 25, 2026.
8/25/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082532.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Tell AILA which products and services are most valuable to you and your practice today and in the future. Your confidential feedback will help shape AILA's offerings to better meet your needs. As a thank you for participating, you'll be entered into a drawing for one of 10 $250 gift cards.
8/25/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082531.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, International Associate.
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.
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.