Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that where an IJ finds that a Form I-213 is unreliable and insufficient to establish alienage, the IJ must point to specific evidence in the record sufficient to rebut the presumption of reliability. Matter of Mercado-Martinez, 29 I&N Dec. 529 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice of proposed rulemaking to revise methodology for determining prevailing wage levels for the EB-2, EB-3, H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa programs.
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of the approval of a new credentialing organization, The Evaluation Company, to issue certificates and certified statements for individuals seeking to enter the U.S. to work as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses. (91 FR 14865, 3/27/26)
Accessible to Public.
Congressional Updates
On 3/26, AILA briefed Congress on three policy briefs from the A Better Way on Immigration series focusing on the Administration’s policy changes made over the past year to pursue its mass deportation campaign, weaken the asylum system, and make the immigration courts less efficient and independent.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Congressional Updates
On 2/27, AILA conducted a Congressional briefing covering three policy briefs from the A Better Way on Immigration series highlighting how the Administration’s policies have hindered the legal immigration system from supporting U.S. economic growth and national security.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this series we'll hear from AILA's 2025 Pro Bono Champions to learn more about why they do pro bono work.
3/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032704.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The unsealed Buona Forchetta ICE raid warrant is significant because it reveals, in rare detail, how an I‑9 audit can escalate into a criminal worksite raid—offering a concrete roadmap of how ICE/HSI builds employer‑focused immigration cases.
Accessible to: Member.
Press Releases
AILA responds to the Senate’s approval of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that excludes enforcement funding for ICE and CBP, emphasizing that public safety and rule of law are interconnected and that law enforcement agencies must adhere to constitutional and legal standards.
3/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032702.
Accessible to Public.
Liaison Minutes
AILA’s CBP Committee provides an agenda in advance of the planned meeting with CBP’s Office of Field Operations on April 16, 2026.
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 March 27, 2026.
3/27/26
Accessible to Public.
Tutorial Videos
Watch this short video to learn a six-step process to follow to correct a mistake.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice stating that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is further extending the “Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens” first issued 1/23/25. This extension, dated 1/12/26, will expire in 180 days. (91 FR 14703, 3/26/26)
Accessible to Public.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to inform your clients about habeas petitions for individuals in ICE detention. The flyer is available as a generic PDF version and a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. The PDF is also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish. Please share.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal, International Associate.
Correspondence
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee submits a list of outstanding questions to the DOS Visa Office in lieu of an official meeting in spring 2026.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the expansion of online presence review to many NIV classifications beyond those previously covered.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
Explore how immigration nonprofits can harness technology to bridge the access to justice gap, enhance collaboration, and empower staff and clients alike in a challenging landscape.
3/26/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032663.
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 March 26, 2026.
3/26/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court dismissed the petition for review of the IJ’s order affirming a negative reasonable fear determination, holding that it lacks jurisdiction to hear a petition that challenges only the denial of relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). (Navarrete v. Bondi, 3/23/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Learn how the WOOP method (wish, outcome, obstacle, plan) can help propel you to greater productivity.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
DOS announced it will expand online presence review to A-3, C-3 (domestic worker), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visa applicants, effective 3/30/26. H-1B applicants and their dependents and F, M, and J applicants are already subject to this review.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA member Andrew Nietor writes about the Trump Administration's deployment of ICE to certain airports: "A delayed flight is frustrating. An unchecked expansion of federal enforcement authority is something else entirely. And that is not a trade worth making."
3/25/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032561.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 25, 2026.
3/25/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join us for the 2026 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast to get an insider’s view of what is happening at the government agencies. Agency officials and AILA liaison committee members will discuss the latest regulatory and policy initiatives affecting your practice and clients.
3/25/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court denied the consolidated petitions for review, holding that the Bosniak petitioners failed to raise any colorable legal or constitutional claims challenging the BIA’s denial of sua sponte reopening. (Hodzic v. Bondi, et al., 3/19/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court certified to the Kentucky Supreme Court whether the state’s receipt of stolen property statute requires proof that a defendant knew property was stolen or permits conviction based on having “reason to believe” it was stolen for aggravated felony purposes. (Hassan v. Bondi, 3/16/26)
3/24/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032404.
Crimes
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
DOS published a revision to the Foreign Affairs Manual expanding the response time for ARIS waivers.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides a resource to help members understand the current state of consular operations and U.S. Citizen services at posts across the Middle East.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice and request for comments on extension, without changes, of Application for Prevailing Wage Determination and related forms. Comments are due 5/26/26. (91 FR 14042, 3/24/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
DHS has proposed a rule restricting work permits for asylum seekers that would harm the economy, employers, and communities. Over 2.3 million asylum seekers support critical industries. Submit a comment opposing this rule by April 24, 2026.
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
In 2025 USCIS updated multiple sections of the USCIS Policy Manual addressing discretionary adjudications. AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples to assess USCIS’s implementation of the new guidance, and the extend of its applications.
Accessible to: Member.
Professional Resources
There are hidden productivity costs to our cultural norms and unconscious biases. Read what women lawyers should watch out for and how to artfully avoid becoming the firm den mother, plus how to keep your promising women lawyers on the partner track and equalize the playing field for them.
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 March 24, 2026.
3/24/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
EOIR Director Daren Margolin issued policy memorandum (PM) 26-03 to clarify EOIR’s process for addressing complaints of judicial misconduct by its adjudicators. The PM supersedes prior guidance on the judicial complaint process, last updated in November 2023.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
USCIS announced the H-2B statutory cap for the 2nd half of FY26 has been met. 3/10/26 was the last receipt date for new cap-subject petitions requesting a start date on or after 4/1/26 and before 10/1/26. Filing dates are available for the 2nd and 3rd allocations of FY26 supplemental H-2B visas.
Accessible to Public.
Liaison Minutes
AILA's DOL Committee will meet with BALCA/OALJ to discuss general updates, allocation of resources, and filing methods, among other topics. The meetings is scheduled for 04/30/2026 in Washington, DC.
3/23/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032300.
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 March 23, 2026.
3/23/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
The 2025 AILA Web Seminar Practice Advisories Handbook compiles expert-authored advisories from AILA web seminars into one practical resource. Covering ethics, practice management, and key areas of immigration law, it delivers expert insights you can apply immediately. Get your copy today.
3/23/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that hardship determinations under the exceptional and extremely unusual hardship standard are reviewed for substantial evidence, and denied the petition for review as to the Mexican petitioner seeking cancellation of removal. (Alonso-Juarez v. Bondi, 3/12/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of "Courtesy Notices" sent by various field offices prior to a benefits request interview. Information of field offices not currently sending such notices is also requested. Call for examples closes on 11:59pm ET on 04/19/2026.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Congressional Updates
The bipartisan Keep Innovators in America Act codifies the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, allowing U.S.-educated international graduates to work after graduation, retaining talent, supporting startups, and strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on March 20, 2026.
3/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
Mindfulness doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all practice! This article explores the challenges some people face with traditional mindfulness tools like meditation and explores an alternative approach called flow state.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this series we'll hear from AILA's 2025 Pro Bono Champions to learn more about why they do pro bono work.
3/20/26
AILA Doc. No. 26032062.
Accessible to: Member, Student, 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 a waiver application absent such a determination. (Sufiyan v. Bondi, 3/12/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that no ineffective assistance claim lies where person retained was not an attorney and did not hold himself out as one, and that minor respondents’ SIJ-based adjustment eligibility was speculative due to visa unavailability. Matter of Z–R–C–N–, et al., 29 I&N Dec. 523 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Trial Skills for Immigration Court: A Practical Guide to Effective Strategies and Tactics gives practitioners hands on guidance for navigating hearings where the stakes are high. Build stronger courtroom skills and advocate with confidence—order your copy today.
Accessible to Public.
Correspondence
AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson sent a letter to Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries to block funding to ICE and CBP until meaningful reforms are enacted to hold these agencies accountable and restore safety to American communities.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
USCIS has agreed to extend the registration period until 5pm ET today (March 19). Continuing issues should be reported directly to USCISFeedback@uscis.dhs.gov.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Technology is ever-transforming and attorneys need to develop and maintain competence about protecting client data and the risks of using certain technologies. In this article, learn how to avoid violating ethics rules and exposing clients to risk from scams and cyberattacks.
3/19/26
AILA Doc. No. 23102501.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
Discover practical strategies to transform your immigration firm’s culture and create a thriving, resilient workplace.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.