View the schedule of upcoming AILA Board of Governors meetings.
1/22/24
AILA Doc. No. 99900686.
The AILA Board of Governors will meet Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This document contains the agenda and meeting materials.
3/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 24031835.
View previous BOG meeting agenda and materials.
1/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 24011801.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS posted a reminder that the initial registration period for the FY2025 H-1B cap closes at noon (ET)on March 22, 2024.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman will hold two roundtable discussions in March to collect feedback. On March 14, it will hold a MyOIDO feedback webinar and on March 21, it will hold a legal access webinar. Notice includes registration information.
Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC invites stakeholders to a webinar on March 26 that provides technical assistance and helpful tips for preparing the CW-1 Application for Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141C), (Form ETA-9142C), and the CW-1 Job Vacancy Announcement.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court granted the petition for rehearing and withdrew its previous opinion, which held that petitioner’s modification order did not change his term of imprisonment for purposes of federal immigration law, and thus that petitioner was an aggravated felon. (Edwards v. Att’y Gen., 3/6/24)
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS will accept H-2B petitions for employers seeking workers who are nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, for an employment start date from April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, on March 22, 2024.
Practice Resources
AILA has been made aware and collected examples of issues arising from USCIS transfers of I-129F petitions to the NVC. From that call for examples, AILA collected 33 examples and now provides a summary of the trends seen.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a reminder that it is committed to timely adjudicating DACA renewal requests. All DACA renewal requests are currently adjudicated at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC), except for a small number of remaining requests pending at the Vermont Service Center (VSC).
3/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24031873.
DACA
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS updated its guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to further clarify existing policy on providing mobile biometrics collection services to
benefit requestors residing in remote locations within the United States. Guidance is effective 3/7/24 and comments are due by 4/8/24.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 18, 2024.
3/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 24031871.
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, April 9, or sign up for AILALink office hours.
3/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
AILA Announcements
Expand your knowledge and expertise for assisting LGBTQ+ clients, including learning about respectful and appropriate terminology to use with your LGBTQ+ clients in this roundtable hosted by AILA's LGBTQ+ Lawyers Interest Group.
3/18/24
AILA Announcements
Our practical guide to winning removal defense cases has been fully updated. Preorder your copy of Representing Clients in Immigration Court today. You'll find updated discussions of ways to contest removability, adjustment of status as a defense to removal, detention and bond, and more!
AILA Announcements
The Biden Administration has implemented several policies to deter migrants from coming to the U.S. outside of a limited number of pathways. These policies include a new ban on eligibility for asylum and enhanced expedited processes to more quickly remove asylum seekers. Learn more in this seminar.
3/18/24
AILA Announcements
Please join the Global Migration Section for its annual Consular Webinar, during which the section will discuss the following topics: an overview of country-specific consular processing; the impact of global conflicts, economic pressures, and presidential elections; potential impacts of AI.
AILA Announcements
The AILA Global Migration Section (GMS) invites you to attend the AILA/GMS Annual Global Migration Forum in “The Windy City,” where experts from around the world will discuss how global mobility is fueling change around the world and how human movement is being impacted by these issues.
3/18/24
AILA Announcements
Once you have chosen the focus of your pro bono clinic and done the initial groundwork preparing for your event, it’s time to dive into the details. AILA’s Pro Bono Committee presents this roundtable focused on the nuts and bolts of running a clinic.
3/18/24
AILA Announcements
Explore the essentials of succession planning and how to develop an effective and ethical exit strategy. This course is designed for solo and small-firm immigration attorneys contemplating retirement, as well as for potential buyers who want to learn about the process of buying an existing practice.
3/18/24
AILA Announcements
Join AILA's LGBTQ+ Lawyers Interest Group for a roundtable designed to help you best serve clients who identify as LGBTQ+. This course will cover a range of topics including respectful and appropriate terminology, strategies for building trust with LGBTQ+ clients, and more.
3/15/24
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to further clarify its anti-discrimination policy for USCIS employees and contractors interacting directly or indirectly with members of the public. The guidance is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance. Comments due 4/15/24.
3/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 24031501.
Practice Resources
AILA received confirmation from USCIS that any previously submitted registration affected by the missing signature issue from Form G-28 are considered valid. USCIS also provided updates on pay.gov issues and registration status issues.
AILA’s 2024 National Day of Action will be on March 21, 2024.
3/15/24
AILA Doc. No. 17101761.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that 8 CFR §1240.17 applies only to those respondents placed in expedited removal proceedings whose applications for relief and protection were first adjudicated by USCIS and who were then placed in removal proceedings under INA §240. Matter of F–C–S–, 28 I&N Dec. 788 (BIA 2024)
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson urged the Biden Administration to take immediate action as Haiti faces immense challenges and use “all of the tools in the executive branch’s toolbox” to help offer security and safety to those affected, including extending and redesignating TPS for Haitians.
Tutorial Videos, Professional Resources
There is no better way to end your week. Take two minutes for yourself right now to feel better and adjust your attitude. Use this simple mindfulness technique to observe what is happening in your thoughts and emotions so you can respond more effectively to daily stressors that impact you.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS invites stakeholders to a Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center engagement on Wednesday, March 27. USCIS will share updates and answer Q&As.
Practice Resources
AILA has been made aware that applicants are receiving biometrics appointment notices either too late or with appointment dates that have already passed, and USCIS has issued guidance to remedy the matter.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS provides a new Remote Document Examination Video that demonstrates the process for E-Verify users in good standing. These users are qualified to remotely examine employees’ documentation using a DHS-authorized alternative procedure at E-Verify hiring sites
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 15, 2024.
3/15/24
Examples & Questions
AILA seeks examples of potential H-1B cap registrants who are legally unable to obtain a valid passport.
As an AILA member, you belong to a diverse and dynamic community of immigration law professionals and have access to a wide array of resources and opportunities.
3/14/24
AILA Announcements
If you’ve noticed that you’re not receiving emails from the listservs you signed up for, this article will share the resources to ensure you always get the content you want.
Featured Issues
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.
Examples & Questions
CGRS is preparing a practice advisory on the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule (aka Biden’s Asylum Ban) and is interested in hearing from advocates who have experience with the Rule’s implementation in CFIs or merits proceedings. Please send examples by March 15.
Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA member David Cleveland shared USCIS’s Credible Fears Procedures Manual released due to a FOIA lawsuit.
5/10/23
AILA Doc. No. 24031477.
Asylum
Examples & Questions
The End SIJS Backlog Coalition is trying to determine how many SIJs may be stranded outside the United States due to the visa backlog. The Coalition would appreciate it if you could provide this information by Friday, March 22.
Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
The Biden Administration has implemented nationality-specific parole programs for Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba. This practice alert summarizes available information for practitioners representing clients from these countries.
AILA Announcements
There's still time to register for the Spring 2024 AILA CLE Conference and Webcast! Register today using the code Spring24Web to save an additional $100 on registration fees. Get the latest updates from government agencies including USCIS, ICE OPLA, ICE ERO, DOS, DOL, DOJ IER, EOIR, and the BIA.
Professional Resources
Have you been telling yourself, "I’ve been hearing a lot about AI, but I still don’t get how it can help me in my practice?" Here are four easy ways you can start today.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court found that the BIA did not err in denying petitioners’ motion to terminate, nor in denying their asylum claim based on finding no nexus and holding that “women business owners in El Salvador” is not a cognizable particular social group (PSG). (Miguel-Pena, et al. v. Garland, 3/4/24)
USCIS invites stakeholders to a webinar on March 28 to learn about online filing. Stakeholders can soon file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker for H-1B petitions and Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing online using USCIS Online Accounts. Questions are due by March 19.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The district court held that the plaintiffs, a group of 21 states led by Texas, lacked standing to challenge the CHNV Parole Program, which grants a pathway for parole to nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and thus dismissed the case. (Texas, et al. v. DHS, et al., 3/8/24
Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE announced the initial deployment of 1,600 body-worn cameras to HSI and ERO. During this phase, ICE will distribute body-worn cameras and provide specific training to ERO and HSI personnel in the Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, and Detroit areas of responsibility.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 14, 2024.
3/14/24
Professional Resources
If a lawyer has actual knowledge of a client’s lies, but regards it only as a reasonable belief, the lawyer’s failure to take remedial measures or disclose likely violates ABA Model Rule on Candor to the Tribunal. Learn more about defining a tribunal and next steps in this bite-sized ethics article.
5/15/18
AILA Doc. No. 18051560.
Ethics
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA did not err in rejecting the petitioner’s claim under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) for deferral of his removal to South Sudan, finding that the evidence was insufficient to establish a likelihood of torture. (Yar v. Garland, 3/8/24)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Where petitioner admitted he had knowingly transported guns and drugs for the MS-13 gang on multiple occasions, the court upheld the BIA’s conclusion that he had committed a serious nonpolitical crime and was thus ineligible for withholding of removal. (Herrera-Elias v. Garland, 3/4/24)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court upheld the BIA’s denial of asylum and withholding of removal as to the Mexican petitioner, concluding that the petitioner’s proposed social group (PSG) of “Mexican business owners” was not legally cognizable. (Reyes Galeana v. Garland, 3/4/24)