Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that no remand was needed where the IJ applied First Circuit law in the alternative and the BIA adopted it, that the adjustment and asylum-timeliness rulings were unreviewable, and that the Jamaican petitioner’s proposed PSG was not cognizable. (Bromfield v. Blanche, 8/25/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that DHS properly imposed a civil monetary penalty after the respondent failed to depart the United States in compliance with his voluntary departure order, and that INA §240B(d)(1) does not require the failure to depart to be willful. Matter of R–P–L–, 29 I&N Dec. 859 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
On August 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, which orders USCIS to adjudicate applications received from individuals from the travel ban countries previously subject to the pause.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
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.
Practice Resources
DOS announced starting January 21, 2026, it will stop immigration visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. Applicants will still be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews, but no new visas will be issued. On August 21, 2026, a federal judge struck down the pause.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
TRAC reports that in June 2026, 94% of asylum cases decided were denied. Immigration judges granted only 771 individuals asylum during that period—less than a quarter of the number of individuals awarded asylum just three years ago.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR announced the swearing in of a regional deputy chief immigration judge within the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, an administrative law judge within the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, 35 immigration judges, and 3 temporary immigration judges.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-11) to rescind PA-2025-21 and reinstate earlier Policy Manual guidance allowing nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations to distribute and collect voter registration applications and register new citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Your feedback matters! Take AILA’s Products and Services Value Survey to share which resources are most valuable to your practice and help shape future offerings. Complete the survey for a chance to win one of 10 $250 gift cards.
9/2/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Can executive action create new pathways where statutes set limits? Divij Kishore analyzes the legal viability of the Trump Gold Card and what it means for immigration law and policy. Read the article today—free to AILA members.
9/2/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Stay ahead of the ethical issues facing today’s immigration practitioners with AILA Ethics Compendium: Modern Legal Ethics for Immigration Lawyers. This resource applies professional conduct rules to immigration law through practical analysis and real-world scenarios. Order your copy today.
9/2/26
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 2, 2026.
9/2/26
Accessible to Public.
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, October 6.
9/1/26
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
CBP announced that effective 8/31/26 at 11:59 pm (ET), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), in Houston, TX, is no longer a designated airport for flights to the United States carrying persons who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Governance
AILA Chapter dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes, although a portion of your Chapter dues may be deductible as a business expense.
9/1/26
AILA Doc. No. 99900695.
Accessible to: Member.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, in accordance with the 8/28/26 district court order in Medani v. Trump, the pause of diversity visa issuance is no longer in effect.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, in accordance with the 8/21/26 district court order in CLINIC v. Rubio, the pause of immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The EB-5 Committee has noticed a trend where USCIS is transferring pending Form I-485s from California Service Center to Texas Service Center, with a substantial portion of transferred cases receiving RFEs for medical exams.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a briefing on the contents of the September 2026 visa bulletin, noting anecdotal reports of EB-2 unavailability, and the recent cancellations of IV interviews. The briefing also provides a look ahead to fiscal year 2027.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Court Cases
USCIS announced it will comply with the 8/24/26 district court order in Red Eagle Law v. Edlow that temporarily lifts asylum and benefit adjudication holds for nationals of the 39 travel ban countries and Palestinian authority imposed by PMs 602-0192 and 602-0194, pending further litigation.
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions
The court certified a class of nationals of the 39 travel ban countries and Palestinian authority whose pending asylum or benefit applications are subject to the adjudication hold in PM-602-0192 or PM-602-0194 and granted a preliminary injunction against the hold. (Red Eagle Law v. Edlow, 8/24/26)
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA Law Journal Editor-in-Chief Cyrus D. Mehta and the Editorial Board on September 2 at 1 pm ET for a discussion of Trump v. Barbara and Blanche v. Lau. Learn how these Supreme Court rulings may shape immigration law and practice. Free for AILA members. Register now!
9/1/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Stay current on the Child Status Protection Act with AILA’s newly updated guide. Explore key administrative and federal court decisions, priority date retention for aged-out derivatives, visa retrogression guidance, and practical examples to navigate this complex area with confidence.
9/1/26
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA provides guidance on obtaining refunds when USCIS fails to meet premium processing timelines. The practice pointer reviews the legal basis for refunds, discusses reported agency practices, and outlines steps practitioners can take to request refunds.
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 September 1, 2026.
9/1/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
AILA Member Matthew Morley shares insights from working in Russia, explaining how the lack of in-country consulates means practitioners must consider travel access, local entry rules, appointment logistics, and more in counseling clients and helping them complete processing at designated posts.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
USCIS released new editions of Forms I-864, I-864A, and I-864EZ with a new privacy release authorizing access to consumer reporting information and disclosure to sponsored immigrants. AILA requested a grace period and is considering litigation. Interested parties can email advocacy@aila.org.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS published new editions of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, and related Forms I-864A and I-864EZ on 8/31/26 (edition date: 08/24/26). USCIS will only accept the new edition of this form beginning 8/31/26, with no grace period.
Accessible to Public.
Memo & Regulatory Comments
AILA submits a comment on the proposed rulemaking for the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, urging USCIS to clarify transition rules, preserve existing investor protections, and ensure procedural fairness, along with other asks.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
The AILA Global Migration Section (GMS) Analytics Subcommittee surveyed the GMS membership regarding residence by investment programs. These survey responses cover 29 countries.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal, International Associate.
Practice Resources
This practice pointer analyzes the impact of the DHS final rule eliminating duration of status for F, J, and I nonimmigrants on cap-gap and ongoing work authorization for F-1 students. It provides scenarios illustrating the impact before and after the transition period.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Committee provides a practice alert on the temporary final rule establishing an optional $750 fee for expedited B‑1/B2 visa interview appointments. The pilot program launched at Mission Mexico on July 21, 2026. DOS continues to add additional posts to the pilot.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the visa bond for certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL final rule rescinding formal procedures for coordination among its component agencies to enforce protections for temporary and seasonal farmworkers. The rule is effective 9/30/26. (91 FR 55744, 8/31/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS interim final rule allowing asylum officers to refer certain asylum applications to EOIR without conducting an asylum interview. The rule is effective 7/28/26. Comments are due 9/28/26. (91 FR 47101, 7/28/26; 91 FR 55735, 8/31/26)
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 31, 2026.
8/31/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
This suite of resources is tailored to immigration law professionals seeking to understand, implement, and ethically navigate the use of AI in their practice. Resources range from how-to guides and sample documents to expert-led CLE courses and updates on government use of AI.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
The Department of Justice announced the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center, a multi-agency initiative that will coordinate federal and state partners to detect, investigate, and prosecute fraud affecting taxpayer-funded programs.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 28, 2026.
8/28/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that IJs generally lack jurisdiction to redetermine custody conditions once a noncitizen becomes subject to an administratively final removal order, and, on DHS’s appeal, vacated an IJ’s order releasing the respondent on a $1,500 bond. Matter of W–F–D–, 29 I&N Dec. 854 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Take AILA’s Products and Services Value Survey and share which resources bring the most value to your practice. Complete the survey today for a chance to win one of 10 $250 gift cards!
8/28/26
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal, International Associate.
AILA Announcements
Did you know that AILA members receive discounted rates for the Spanish for Lawyers Courses offered by the American University Washington College of Law? Get more info about the courses and register today!
8/28/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
The debate over free speech and immigration enforcement remains highly relevant. In this AILA Law Journal article, Vaman B. Kidambi examines the constitutional questions surrounding ideological deportation and its impact on free expression. Read it free as an AILA member.
8/28/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILA listservs will be temporarily unavailable beginning on 8/28/26 at 9:00 pm (ET) until 8/29/26 at 2:00 pm (ET). Users will be unable to send listserv messages, manage listserv subscriptions, or join sections/interest groups. The AILA membership application will also be temporarily offline.
8/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082008.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS updated guidance for Rosario class members, clarifying eligibility and procedures for certain asylum applicants seeking an initial EAD. The guidance reaffirms the 30-day processing requirement and explains options for addressing delays.
Accessible to Public.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on August 27, 2026.
8/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082703.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Blog
Reggie Pacis, Karen Hill, Roman Zelichenko, and Anna McManus from AILA’s Member Experience Committee share reflections on AILA’s 2026 Annual Conference, taking a quiet moment to “pause and reflect on the whirlwind of excitement, nerves, inspiration and hope you’ve just experienced.”
8/27/26
AILA Doc. No. 26082702.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
With elections approaching in the fall, it is a good time to remind clients of immigration consequences of noncitizens registering to vote and voting in U.S. elections. Doing so in federal, state, and county elections in violation of the law carries numerous serious immigration consequences.
Accessible to: Member, Student, International Associate.
Professional Resources
Immigration lawyers and paralegals get practical guidance and a safety-focused checklist for responding to mail and online threats targeting their firm or staff in this article brought to you by the AILA Rule of Law Taskforce.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
When family unity is on the line, attorneys need reliable guidance they can trust. Immigration Law and the Family delivers updated legal analysis and practical strategies to help practitioners navigate the complexities of family-based immigration law with greater confidence. Get your copy today!
8/27/26
Accessible to Public.