Featured Issues
Explore the priority immigration-related issues that AILA is tracking and working on.
Each featured issue page provides curated materials, including government announcements and actions, AILA's policy recommendations, practice resources, media reports, advocacy opportunities, and more.
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Browse the Featured Issues collection
Practice Alert: Changes to CBP One Application
AILA's CBP OFO Committee provides an update on the CBP One application functionalities post the recent executive order to cease use of the application to facilitate entry into the U.S.
Featured Issue: The Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act was the first bill the GOP advanced in early January at the start of the 119th Congress. The Laken Riley Act amends the INA to require the mandatory detention of undocumented immigrants who have been charged with theft in the United States - even without a conviction.
Featured Issue: Preparing for a Second Trump Administration
Use this page to view AILA resources on how members and others can prepare for a second Trump Administration.
Featured Issue: Representing Clients Before ICE
This resource page combines AILA and partner resources for attorneys representing clients before ICE. Includes contact information and website links to procedures and policies related to ICE’s operations.
Featured Issue: Immigration Detention and Alternatives to Detention
AILA calls on Congress to significantly reduce and phase out the use of immigration detention for enforcement purposes, including custodial family detention. Learn more about this issue and how you can join the effort.
Featured Issue: ICE’s Alternatives to Detention Program
This page explains ICE's ATD program, which monitors up to 376,000 non-detained individuals.
Featured Issue: Resources for H-2A Practice at DOL, USCIS, and DOS
AILA’s DOL Liaison provides a resource page with links to legal authorities, agency guidance and publications, and AILA resources and publications helpful for H-2A practice.
Featured Issue: Executive Actions to Promote Family Unity
Use this page to find information on the June 18, 2024, announcements regarding a new process for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the United States.
Featured Issue: Affirmative Relief Changes for DACA Recipients and Other Dreamers
On June 18, the White House announced that individuals, including certain DACA recipients and other Dreamers, will be able to more quickly receive work visas. Use this page to stay up to date on this evolving issue.
Featured Issue: Form ETA-9089 in DOL’s FLAG System
On 6/1/23, DOL officially implemented the new ETA 9089, Application for Permanent Labor Certification, into the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides a compilation resources relevant to this change.
Featured Issue: Resources for H-2B Practice at DOL, USCIS, and DOS
AILA’s Department of Labor (DOL) Liaison provides a resource page with links to legal authorities, agency guidance and publications, and AILA resources and publications helpful for H-2B practice in advance of the 2nd half of FY2025.
Featured Issue: It's Time to Change the Lozada Standard
Use this page to learn more about the impact of the Matter of Lozada and how AILA wants the Lozada standard changed.
Featured Issue: Deferred Action for Noncitizen Workers Supporting Labor Enforcement Investigations
Use this page to learn more about DHS announce that noncitizen workers who are victims of, or witnesses to, the violation of labor rights, can now access a streamlined and expedited deferred action request process.
Featured Issue: FY2025 H-1B Cap Season
Use this page to stay on top of the FY2025 H-1B cap filing season which closes June 30, 2024.
Featured Issue: Border Processing and Asylum
This featured issue page provides updates, analyses, and other resources on border processing and asylum policies, and AILA’s advocacy on the creation of a humane and fair border processing system for all individuals arriving at our southern border seeking safety.
Featured Issue: Ensuring Legal Representation for People Facing Removal
Despite the critical role legal representation plays in ensuring fairness in removal proceedings, the law still does not guarantee the government will pay for counsel if the person is unable to afford one. AILA provides resources on ensuring legal representation for people facing removal.
Featured Issue: Assist Individuals Impacted by the Conflict in the Middle East
AILA calls on the Biden Administration to move immediately to support the safety of all people affected by the recent violence in the Middle East. Use this page to find related resources.
Featured Issue: USCIS Final Rule Adjusting Its Fee Schedule
Use this page to stay on top of the 2024 USCIS final rule adjusting its fee schedule. USCIS has stated that it will use the postmark date of filing to determine if the correct form version and fees were submitted.
Featured Issue: FY2024 Cap-Subject H-1B Filing Season
This featured issue page tracks developments related to the FY2024 H-1B cap season. USCIS's initial registration period finished on 3/20/23. For H-1B registrations selected, the filing period is 4/1/23 to 6/30/23. Find resources on this page.
Featured Issue: Asylum and Credible Fear Interim Final Rule
A USCIS interim final rule on credible fear and asylum took effect May 31, 2022, and changes the way DHS processes asylum cases for individuals in expedited removal. This is a resource page to help immigration attorneys understand the new process for credible fear and asylum.
Featured Issue: America Needs a Fair and Independent Immigration Court
The U.S. immigration court system suffers from profound structural problems that have severely eroded its capacity to deliver just decisions in a timely manner and eliminated public confidence in its outcomes. AILA urges Congress and the Biden Administration to reform immigration courts.
Featured Issue: Practicing during a Natural Disaster
This page provides resources to help practitioners when they or their clients are affected by natural disasters, including information specific to the Hawaii wildfires, Hurricane Idalia, and the earthquake in Morocco.
Featured Issue: Prosecutorial Discretion
The Supreme Court issued a decision on a challenge to the Biden Administration’s enforcement priorities guidance. This resource page provides information on prosecutorial discretion, its importance as a tool for ICE, and AILA’s support of prosecutorial discretion in immigration enforcement.
Featured Issue: Immigration Court Backlog and Reprioritization
The immigration courts require urgent attention to address the 1.3 million case backlog. AILA provides a featured issue page with resources explaining how DOJ and EOIR can reprioritize cases on the docket by removing nonpriority matters.
Find Resources for Assisting Afghan Clients
AILA has compiled a list of resources from AILA and other organizations to help you assist Afghan clients. The situation is constantly changing and information may become outdated. AILA recommends individuals consult with an attorney.