Practice Resources
AILA DOL Committee provides a brief recap of key changes resulting from the IFR on H-2A wage calculations, including wage calculations basis, elimination of SOC code 45-2099, and new SOC codes, among others.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee reports that on November 19, 2025, the DOS Office of Consular Systems and Technology deployed a fix to address the fee payment issue causing names not to display for principal and/or dependent family members.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced increases to certain immigration-related fees required by H.R. 1 for FY 2026. The new fees must be included with benefit requests postmarked on or after the effective date of 1/1/26.
Professional Resources
Utilize this template to help you create and maintain a strong business plan for your law firm.
Practice Resources
Recently, USCIS factors including a temporary hiring freeze and workforce attrition have reduced USCIS’s capacity to timely adjudicate cases while naturally increasing the chances for errors. This article explores an attorney’s obligation to catch an error in their client’s case and what to do next.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
ICE announced FY26 inflationary adjustments to certain fees required by H.R. 1, effective 12/1/25. The adjusted fee amounts for individuals removed in absentia and inadmissible individuals arrested between ports of entry are $5,130. (90 FR 52425, 11/20/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 20, 2025.
11/20/25
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that under INA §240(c)(7)(C)(iv)(III), the extraordinary circumstances or extreme hardship waiver for motions to reopen only applies to temporal limitations for filing a motion to reopen to apply for relief under VAWA. Matter of B–S–H–, 29 I&N Dec. 313 (BIA 2025)
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
SAVE has updated SAVE’s "FAQs on the Effect of Changes to Parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for SAVE Agencies" web page to reflect a recent Supreme Court order allowing DHS to proceed with termination of the 2023 designation of Venezuela for TPS.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS posted an E-Verify update regarding the impact of a 10/3/25 Supreme Court order allowing immediate termination of the 2023 designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.
Immigration News
The October 2025 GMS E-Bulletin continues our theme of personal stories from members as well as practical updates from the world of global migration.
Practice Resources, 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
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 11/19/2025. (90 FR 52092, 11/19/2025)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector of Arizona. The determination takes effect 11/19/2025. (90 FR 52090, 11/19/2025)
11/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25111905.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS 60-day notice of request for comments on the extension of Form DS-117, Application To Determine Returning Resident Status. Comments are due 1/20/26. (90 FR 52128, 11/19/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS 30-day notice of request for comments and OMB submission of revisions to Form DS-260, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. In the notice, DOS responded to several points in AILA’s comment from an earlier comment period. Comments are due 12/19/25. (90 FR 52129, 11/19/25)
AILA Blog
In this blog post, AILA member Angelo Paparelli describes the multimedia “All-American Story” launching on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2025 and invites immigrants and immigration attorneys to add to the tapestry; the post includes an embedded video interview with producer Amy Friedman.
11/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25111902.
Practice Resources
AILA’s CBP Committee provides a practice alert with information on FY 2026 inflation-adjusted fee amounts for the parole fee, ESTA fee, and others immigration-related fees set by H.R. 1.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
CBP announced FY26 inflationary adjustments to certain fees required by H.R.–1: the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and parole fees. The Form I–94 Arrival/Departure Record application fee will not change. (90 FR 52085, 11/19/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice that DHS Secretary ratified DHS and DOJ’s final rule and NPRM titled “Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review”. The ratification was signed 10/29/25 and relates back to the original date of the action it ratifies. (90 FR 51989, 11/19/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS NPRM to rescind the 2022 public charge ground of inadmissibility regulations, giving DHS officers "broader discretion" when evaluating applicants' likelihood to become a public charge. Comments on the NPRM are due 12/19/25. Comments on associated forms are due 1/20/26. (90 FR 52168, 11/19/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 19, 2025.
11/19/25
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.
Practice Resources
AILA's DOL Committee provides a few recommended steps to take when an employee on an H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 voluntarily quits, given the strict liabilities held under the LCA, in order to successfully complete a bona fide termination.
AILA Governance
Per Section 3.2 of AILA’s Bylaws, AILA President Jeff Joseph has called a Special Meeting of the Members on Tuesday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET to present to the membership proposed amendments to AILA’s Bylaws.
11/19/25
AILA Doc. No. 25101609.
Join the 2025 AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium on Dec. 1, 2025, in NYC or via webcast. Gain insights from top experts on cutting-edge immigration issues and earn CLE credit while connecting with fellow practitioners.
11/19/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS released a chart of EB-5-related fees affected by the 11/12/25 district court decision in Moody v. Noem, which stayed certain EB-5 related fees that were codified by DHS in the 2024 Fee Rule. Effective immediately, USCIS will accept the fees that were in effect until 3/31/24.
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, December 16.
11/18/25
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
AILA Governance
Review the November 18 Special Meeting of the Members presentation.
11/18/25
AILA Doc. No. 25111831.
Professional Resources
Legal malpractice insurance is an important protection for every law firm, but the process of purchasing insurance can often be confusing. To demystify that process, Reid Trautz, Senior Director of AILA Practice & Professionalism Center, answers FAQs about malpractice insurance.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 18, 2025.
11/18/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the record evidence, including head trauma, alcohol abuse, dementia, anxiety, depression, and memory disturbance, clearly contained indicia of incompetence warranting further inquiry by the IJ. (Lemus-Escobar v. Bondi, 6/16/25, amended 11/10/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court stayed its 10/24/25 panel order denying a motion for a stay of removal for a Peruvian family, after a judge requested a vote on en banc rehearing. The panel vacated oral argument and allowed optional supplemental briefs on the en banc question. (Rojas-Espinoza v. Bondi, 11/10/25)
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a single attempt to report harm by private actors to local police, without further police harm or evidence of widespread collusion with the alleged persecutors, does not show the government is unable or unwilling to protect. Matter of K-S-H-, 29 I&N Dec. 307 (BIA 2025)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DHS published the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Ecuador relating to the transfer of third-country nationals to Ecuador, effected by exchange of diplomatic notes on 7/16/25 and 7/23/25. (90 FR 51376, 11/17/25)
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 17, 2025.
11/17/25
Practice Resources
On or about November 6, 2025, DOS issued a cable significantly expanding the use of applicant characteristics, most notably certain medical conditions, as warranting consideration for public charge ineligibility.
Visa Bulletins
USCIS determined that, for December 2025, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that, given the respondent’s failure to submit evidence of his prima facie eligibility for SIJ classification and the extended delay in the availability of a visa, the IJ erred in granting administrative closure. Matter of Cahuec Tzalam, 29 I&N Dec. 300 (BIA 2025)
Agency Memos & Announcements
This is an unofficial copy of the DOS Cable allegedly issued on or about November 6, 2025 on Visa Ineligibility on the Grounds of Public Charge. The existence of the cable was reported by the press and AILA has obtained an unofficial and unverified copy.
Visa Bulletins
DOS posted the December 2025 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” the Diversity Visa (DV) program, extension of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers (SR) category, U.S. government employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and more.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 14, 2025.
11/14/25
Practice Resources
AILA’s CBP Committee provides a practice pointer with important information on admission, visa stamps, I-94 records, and USCIS registration requirements/exemptions for Canadian citizens.
Examples & Questions
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee seeks examples of enforcement operations at USCIS interviews related to newly announced enforcement policies. This call is for data collection purposes, not case assistance. Data collection will assist in monitoring trends and creating practice resources.
Professional Resources
Artificial intelligence can teach you how to use it better. Check out this example to help improve your prompts.
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.
11/13/25
AILA Doc. No. 23102501.
Ethics
AILA Blog
As part of our efforts to amplify the AILA Law Journal, Delaram Rezaeikhonakdar and Craig Shagin put their article about the importance of public scrutiny and review of AI in immigration enforcement into context, sharing more about why they felt this topic was both timely and important.
11/13/25
AILA Doc. No. 25111300.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on November 13, 2025.
11/13/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence supported the BIA’s determination that petitioner failed to show eligibility for VAWA special rule cancellation because she did not provide reasonably available corroborating evidence of battery or extreme cruelty. (Calderon-Uresti v. Bondi, 11/6/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that an unrebutted forfeiture order entered against a noncitizen finding a specific amount of laundered funds attributable to their conduct of conviction can be clear and convincing evidence of the funds amount under INA §101(a)(43)(D). (Dominguez Reyes v. Bondi, 11/6/25)