Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides a few pointers for dealing with rejections, including immediate actions, communications with clients, communication with USCIS, and assessment for potential litigation.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA dismissed the respondent’s appeal, holding that his conviction for health care fraud under 18 USC §1347 was for a particularly serious crime barring asylum and withholding of removal, and affirming the denial of CAT protection. Matter of J–O–A–, 29 I&N Dec. 672 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the “social distinction” element of a particular social group (PSG) must generally be measured on a countrywide basis, rather than from the perspective of a neighborhood or other limited geographic location within a country. Matter of S–E–M–Z–, 29 I&N Dec. 680 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that it has issued all available immigrant visas in the EB-5 unreserved category for applicants chargeable to India for FY26. Embassies and consulates may resume issuing visas in this category when the new fiscal year (FY27) begins on 10/1/26.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA’s orders dismissing the petitioner’s appeal did not state with sufficient particularity their basis for rejecting his arguments that Kenyan police would persecute him as a presumed Mungiki based on his family status or Kikuyu ethnicity. (Muchiri v. Blanche, 6/3/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The Associated Press has reported that DOS will be reducing consular operations to only 20 posts in Africa. Currently, approximately 50 African posts process visas.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s conviction in Illinois for battery against his mother and siblings was a crime of domestic violence barring cancellation of removal, and sanctioned counsel for signing and submitting briefs containing AI hallucinations. (Perez-Castillo v. Blanche, 6/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Learn how AILALink is the perfect tool for electronic access to the books and other research resources you need. Sign up for our next group training at 2:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, July 14.
6/10/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on June 10, 2026.
6/10/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court sanctioned two attorneys for filing briefs containing nonexistent cases, misattributed quotations, and gross misrepresentations of real cases, and for failing their duty of candor by not disclosing that the errors resulted from generative AI hallucinations. (Lnu v. Blanche, 6/3/26)
6/10/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061002.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court denied and dismissed in part the petition for review, holding that petitioner’s New Jersey conviction for knowingly storing child sexual abuse material on a file-sharing program categorically qualified as a crime of child abuse under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i). (Uddin v. Blanche, 6/5/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court upheld the BIA’s denial of the motion to reopen as untimely, holding that the petitioner’s lack of counsel and limited resources while detained were not extraordinary circumstances warranting equitable tolling. (Bonilla-Espinoza v. Blanche, 6/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Press Releases
AILA recognizes Allen Orr and Yasmin Blackburn with the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Recognition Award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.
6/10/26
AILA Doc. No. 26061061.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
Jumpstart 2026 with these sample technology policies to help your firm stay on track.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Press Releases
AILA President Jeff Joseph responded to the House’s passage of the budget reconciliation bill, in which Congress provided DHS with an additional $70 billion in funding that enables the agency to operate through fiscal year 2029 without future appropriations by the legislative branch.
6/9/26
AILA Doc. No. 26060914.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held the Guatemalan petitioner had no liberty interest in the discretionary relief of cancellation of removal and that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s finding of no exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to her U.S.-citizen children. (Lopez-Vasquez v. Blanche, 5/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL request for public input to inform modernization efforts for online career tools and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Program. Comments are due 8/10/26. (91 FR 34833, 6/9/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that cross-examination by government counsel gave the petitioner an adequate opportunity to explain his missing corroboration, and that he did not show the required hardship for cancellation of removal purposes. (Nwosu v. Blanche, 5/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held the BIA reversibly erred by treating petitioner’s “Salvadoran women” particular social group (PSG) as raised for the first time on appeal and declining to reach its merits, requiring remand, while denying her remaining asylum and CAT claims. (Alvarado-Paz v. Blanche, 6/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS amended notice of DHS Secretary’s determination to waive certain legal requirements to construct barriers and roads near the border in the U.S. Border Patrol Big Bend Sector of Texas. It amends a prior waiver by correcting the project area. It is effective 6/9/26. (91 FR 34831, 6/9/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On December 4, 2025, DOS added a FAM provision establishing a new B-1 pathway for “Specialized Trainers.” While the provision addresses limitations in previously identified B-1 activities, it also introduces ambiguity and may be applied inconsistently across posts.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS notice of revision of Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit, including Forms DS-2054, DS-3025, DS-3026, DS-3030, and DS-7794. Comments are due 8/10/26. (91 FR 34876, 6/9/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS temporary final rule creating a $750 fee for an expedited B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa interview appointment, effective 7/1/26-12/31/26. The fee will allow applicants to secure an interview appointment at selected posts within ten business days. Comments are due 7/9/26. (91 FR 34768, 6/9/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held it has jurisdiction under INA §242(a)(1) to review withholding and CAT denials absent a challenge to a final order of removal, denied the petitioner’s CAT claim as speculative, and left the withholding denial intact by an equally divided court. (Laureano v. Att’y Gen., 5/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA must determine whether a petitioner would be eligible for asylum or withholding of removal but for the material support bar, because USCIS will not consider granting a waiver absent such a determination. (Sufiyan v. Blanche, 3/12/26, amended 5/26/26)
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 June 9, 2026.
6/9/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
On May 22nd, USCIS released a policy memorandum characterizing adjustment of status as an act of extraordinary discretion. This practice pointer provides more details regarding the memo, its anticipated impacts, and considerations for practitioners.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
The April-May 2026 GMS E-Bulletin provides the latest updates from around the Globe, introductions of new GMS members, and useful information for your practice!
Accessible to: Member, Paralegal, International Associate.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion in denying the motion to reopen based on ineffective assistance where it gave no explanation for finding noncompliance with Lozada and overlooked an argument that the IJ failed to develop the record. (Buckley v. Blanche, 5/29/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Congressional Updates
On 6/8/26, AILA sent a vote recommendation to the House urging it to not provide ICE and Border Patrol an additional $70 billion in funding through the FY26 Budget Reconciliation bill after it passed the Senate on 6/5/26.
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
AILA recognizes Jeremy McKinney with the 2026 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award, in recognition of his outstanding service, over a period of years, in advancing the mission, development, and value of AILA for its members and the public it serves.
6/9/26
AILA Doc. No. 26060900.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the agency did not err in denying cancellation where petitioner failed to show exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his two U.S. citizen daughters, one with anxiety and sleepwalking issues and the other with eye conditions. (Argueta Castillo v. Blanche, 5/27/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
On his May 2026 visit to India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged visa service challenges and delays affecting Indian applicants but did not offer immediate steps to improve visa processing.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that it has received reports of individuals receiving unsolicited phone calls from scammers posing as representatives of USCIS or other immigration-related organizations such as SAVE.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that it opened an additional asylum office location in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning 5/28/26, individuals who filed for asylum with USCIS and reside in the Houston Asylum Office's jurisdiction may be interviewed at either the Houston or San Antonio Asylum Office.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
This ethics article gives guidance for when an employee or contract lawyer falls down in their duties to clients, and how to develop systems to protect clients and the reputation of the firm.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
This article explores how AILA members representing detained clients protect their well-being through intentional self-care routines in the face of uniquely stressful work.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On May 20, 2026, DOS announced visa restrictions on certain foreign nationals engaging in unauthorized fishing activities, marking a further expansion of INA § 212(a)(3)(c) into DOS visa policy.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
With the House expected to vote on the FY26 budget reconciliation bill as soon as 6/9/26, AILA urges Congress to reject any bill that expands ICE and Border Patrol funding without meaningful accountability, oversight, and reforms. Use AILA’s advocacy tool to call your member of Congress.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
With the House expected to vote on the FY26 budget reconciliation bill as soon as 6/9/26, AILA urges Congress to reject any bill that expands ICE and Border Patrol funding without meaningful accountability, oversight, and reforms. Use AILA’s advocacy tool to contact your member of Congress.
Accessible to Public.
Explore how AILA members can help shape the 2026 election cycle through SCOPE, chapter engagement, voter outreach opportunities, and member-only updates on approved political engagement efforts.
6/8/26
AILA Doc. No. 26060505.
Accessible to: Member.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on June 8, 2026.
6/8/26
Accessible to Public.
Press Releases
AILA recognizes Andrew Rankin with the 2026 Sam Williamson Mentor Award, in acknowledgment of his outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.
6/8/26
AILA Doc. No. 26060805.
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
Counsel in an action challenging the H-1B $100,000 fee are seeking examples of employers and employees who are still being impacted by the Proclamation from September 2025 in order to be able to gain greater insight into the continuing harm this policy causes.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE Directive 11003.7, dated 6/2/26, governs the initial notification, review, and ongoing reporting about the death of an individual in ICE custody, superseding Directive 11003.6. Notably, ICE has removed deaths that occur within 30 days of release from custody from the scope of the directive.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Comments are due 7/6/26. (91 FR 34244, 6/5/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of extension without change of Departure Notification Record. Comments are due 7/6/26. (91 FR 33189, 6/3/26)
6/8/26
AILA Doc. No. 26060801.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC invites stakeholders to a webinar on 6/17/26 at 2 PM ET on preparing H-2B applications with a work start date of 10/1/26. It will cover regulatory timeframes and filing requirements, selection procedures, best practices, and reminders and tips to avoid deficiencies in the application process.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
Effective May 18, 2026, the Department of State paused visa operations in South Sudan, DRC, and Uganda due to an Ebola outbreak.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.