Practice Resources
The Verification Committee provides a comprehensive chart on current status and EAD notes for TPS and parole programs.
Special thank you to Kathleen Campbell Walker, Meredith Jolie, John Mazzeo, Timothy D’Arduini, Sarah Peterson, and Kimberley Best Robidoux for their contributions to the chart.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 21, 2026.
10/21/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency’s finding that DHS rebutted the presumption of a well-founded fear of future persecution by showing a fundamental change in circumstances in The Gambia, and affirmed the denial of humanitarian asylum. (Jatta v. Blanche, 10/16/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides clarification on the PERM processing suspension for the eight companies; including what it means and for how long.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that no presumption favors a continuance for a prima facie approvable U visa petition and that IJs should apply the Matter of L–A–B–R– test in deciding good cause based on a pending petition or visa availability. Matter of L. Ramirez, 30 I&N Dec. 157 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the BIA abused its discretion by placing too much weight on the IJ’s pre-death-threat findings and too little weight on the petitioner’s new evidence of death threats, and that there was a nexus between the threats and her family group. (Fajardo-Rivas v. Blanche, 10/13/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Third-country removal policy is evolving fast. Join expert faculty Oct. 23 for the latest litigation updates, key resources, and practical strategies to advocate for clients at risk of TCR. Stay informed and ready to respond.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine and Sudan was set to expire on October 19, 2026, however DHS has not issued an official decision on their status. Please see alert for details and clarification on what is currently known on the status of TPS for Ukraine and Sudan.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Agencies
The DOS Liaison Committee has obtained sample public charge questions that have been given to immigrant visa applicants prior to their interviews in London, Paris, Kingston, Madrid, and Doha.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 20, 2026.
10/20/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
The newly released 20th edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook delivers updated case law, expert analysis, and comprehensive coverage of today's immigration landscape. A trusted reference for practitioners, it's an essential addition to any immigration law library. Order today!
10/20/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
A leaked email sent from Chief Immigration Judge Teresa Riley, reported by Pablo Manríquez at Migrant Insider, directs all immigration judges to continue enforcing EOIR’s Annual Asylum Fee even after the Federal District Court for the Maryland District ruled against EOIR's fee collection process.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Immigration News
The Autumn 2026 edition of the 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, Student, Paralegal, International Associate.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 19, 2026.
10/19/26
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
CDC notice extending the Title 42 Order covering non-citizens who were present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days. The order took effect 10/11/26 and expires 11/10/26. Comments are due 10/30/26. (91 FR 65556, 10/15/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Master crimmigration strategy with the 11th edition of Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity by Mary E. Kramer. Get key updates and practical strategies for representing noncitizens facing detention, removal, and other immigration consequences. Order today!
10/19/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements, Federal Agencies
Since its initial publishing in 2023, USCIS has updated the tip sheet on communicating effectively with the USCIS Contact Center, including call times, case information receipt, and appointment scheduling, among other tips. USCIS last updated this page on 10/13/2026.
10/16/26
AILA Doc. No. 21111204.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 16, 2026.
10/16/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILALink puts immigration law research at your fingertips with searchable statutes, regulations, case law, government guidance, and AILA publications in one place. Get reliable answers faster and stay up to date in a changing legal landscape. Subscribe today!
10/16/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s due process claim failed because she did not show prejudice, and upheld the denial of asylum where her proposed PSG of Honduran citizens who refused to comply with gang demands was not sufficiently particular or recognized. (Alvarenga v. Blanche, 10/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
AILA’s Practice Innovation & Professionalism Center explains the benefits of two-factor authenticators and counts off four trending authenticator options and their unique benefits for immigration lawyers.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Immigration News
The October 2026 edition of the AILA Law Journal is now available.
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 October 15, 2026.
10/15/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
From shifting adjudication trends to complex filing issues, PERM presents ongoing challenges. Get the insights and strategies you need with the AILA Guide to PERM Labor Certification, 2026 edition—a trusted resource for today's practitioners. Order your copy today!
10/15/26
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS and DOJ final rule, effective 10/14/26, for DHS to fine noncitizens for not departing during the VD period or after a final removal order, or for “improperly” entering the U.S. Unlike the IFR, it allows acceptance of late-filed appeals due to mail delivery issues. (91 FR 65390, 10/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice of proposed rulemaking to end the policy of generally giving deference to a prior approval involving the same facts when adjudicating a request to extend a petition for a person’s employment or stay. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 65119, 10/14/26)
10/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26101464.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS final rule affirming the October 2025 interim final rule that ended automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain EAD categories. The rule is effective 10/14/26. (91 FR 65306, 10/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS interim final rule to reduce the response period for a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) for refugees from 30 days to 10 days. The IFR is effective 10/14/26. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 65077, 10/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's EOIR Committee shares this practice alert regarding an increase in the filing fee for a Notice of Appeal to the BIA from $1,030 to $1,060, effective 10/1/26. This new fee applies based on the date that Notice of Appeal is filed, not the payment date.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA Affiliated Paralegal Erick Assis shares how he has found it useful to apply "a layer of review that operates after the completeness check and before submission" ensuring that each piece of evidence maps to a specific element of the legal standard on the cases he works on.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on October 14, 2026.
10/14/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The district court approved a class action settlement agreement in a lawsuit relating to families who were apprehended together by the U.S. government at the U.S.-Mexico border between 1/20/17 and 1/20/21, but were then separated and kept apart. (Ms. L., et al. v. ICE, et al., 12/1/23)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
USCIS proposes an interim final rule (IFR) regarding refugee cases USCIS intends to terminate, which significantly shortens the number of days an individual with refugee status has to respond to USCIS notification that it intends to terminate their refugee status.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Monthly newsletter brought to you by the members of the Family Section Steering Committee
The content of this email was created by Kathleen Irish, the AILA Family Section Chair, along with the assistance of other members of the Family Section Steering Committee.
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 October 13, 2026.
10/13/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee has received reports from members that the DS-260 now includes several new and expanded questions on travel history, spouses/partners, prior passports, and nationalities. The new questions have caused technical issues and raise concerns about the notice and comment process.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held a noncitizen who returns to a country of claimed persecution under advance parole abandons their application for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protection absent compelling reasons, and that mandatory bars turn on the record. Matter of M–R–I–, 30 I&N Dec. 137 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that the respondent did not show he was not a danger where he drove long-haul trucks without a valid commercial driver’s license, and that an ambiguous social connection and uncertain financial ability do not establish a valid sponsor. Matter of M–S–V–, 30 I&N Dec. 130 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
CBP notice of proposed rulemaking on advance traveler information for rail. The rule would require rail carriers to transmit advance electronic traveler information to CBP for crew and passengers arriving in or departing from the U.S. via train. Comments are due 12/14/26. (91 FR 64840, 10/13/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides clarification regarding FBI Continual Monitoring letters, which is a federal government requirement that USCIS has now fulfilled by sending said letters. No action is required by legal representatives or their clients at this time.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Correspondence
On 9/15/26, DHS’s GC sent AILA a letter accusing immigration attorneys of causing the asylum backlog with “meritless” asylum applications. AILA responded with a letter defending attorneys from these baseless attacks and urging the Administration to adopt commonsense policies to reduce the backlog.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee reviews the reinstatement of IV and DV processing, and subsequent appointment cancellations for consular officers to receive training on public charge screening. This resource also provides practice tips to help members navigate new public charge assessments and procedures.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions
In the ongoing Medani v. Trump litigation, CLINIC filed an Emergency Motion for Supplemental Reliefs seeking an order reserving unused diversity visa numbers beyond the September 30 cut-off date for class members. On September 28, 2026, DOS filed a response in opposition. (Medani v. Trump, 9/28/26)
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 October 12, 2026.
10/12/26
Accessible to Public.
Federal Agencies
On September 21, 2026, defendants in Medani v. Trump filed a Declaration of John Armstrong, Principal Deputy Assist Sec, DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs, as well as three official DOS cables.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a sample template for a public charge statement in support of an immigrant visa.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
The Court stayed DHS’s policy not to collect biometrics required for pending USCIS applications for people in ICE detention. The policy was announced in USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-28 in December 2025. (J.Z. v. DHS, 10/7/26)
Accessible to Public.
DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that IJs should generally deny asylum applications filed by nationals of highly developed, democratic countries that respect and protect human rights and that EU citizens are presumptively ineligible for a discretionary asylum grant. Matter of B–S–A–N–, 30 I&N Dec. 145 (BIA 2026)
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 October 9, 2026.
10/9/26
Accessible to Public.