Agency Memos & Announcements
This letter expresses concerns about USCIS's new pilot program requiring interviews of VAWA Self-Petitioners, highlighting potential risks to survivors and offering recommendations for improved procedures.
2/27/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022704.
VAWA
Practice Resources
AILA is aware the federal government is using AI to monitor emails and possibly other communications by attorneys with government agencies. Practitioners should assume any communication may be monitored or screened.
2/27/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022703.
Professional Resources
There are so many tasks that can accompany a leaving a law firm. Let this checklist be your launching point to ensure a smooth transition.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 27, 2025.
2/27/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE announced the imminent reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility in Newark, New Jersey, after reaching an agreement with the facility’s owner to reestablish the federal immigration processing and detention center at the 1,000-bed facility.
Featured Issues
This page provides information and resources related to the Trump Administration's changes to parole programs and related applications.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA's web seminar on March 11, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM ET, to learn strategies for overcoming the "reason to believe" inadmissibility ground. Expert panelists will provide legal arguments and advise on best practices used to overcome this ground of inadmissibility.
Press Releases
AILA President Kelli Stump and Executive Director Ben Johnson respond to the proposed registry requirement, arguing that it will create chaos and fear, and would lead to what amounts to a national ‘show me your papers’ regime.
2/26/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022605.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides an updated resource on recent developments in TN processing in Mission Mexico and relevant practice tips for members.
Practice Resources
It is important to know how to effectively escalate concerns while maintaining professionalism and advocating for your client’s interests. AILA’s National ICE Committee provides the following practice pointers.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 26, 2025.
2/26/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS provided information on the “Alien Registration Requirement” under INA §262, stating that USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which undocumented immigrants may register. The notice includes details on who has already registered, who must apply for registration, and how to register.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced that it will use multiple tools to track undocumented immigrants and may impose criminal penalties for certain noncitizens who willfully fail to depart the United States, fail to register with the government and be fingerprinted, or fail to apprise the government of address changes.
Professional Resources
The weekly installment of hypotheticals from the AILA Ethics Compendium by the AILA National Ethics Committee. This scenario discusses withdrawing because of uncertainty in a client’s story, how that interacts with our duty of candor, and what to do if the court does not permit withdrawal.
2/26/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022600.
Ethics
Tutorial Videos, Professional Resources
Revisit this helpful three-minute video by Reid Trautz, Senior Director of the Practice & Professionalism Center, on how to step back when things aren’t going as planned in the firm and evaluate what you need to focus on to get back on track.
AILA Announcements
Register for the 2025 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast on April 3–4, 2025, in Washington, D.C., or online. Gain insights from agency officials and AILA liaisons on the latest regulatory and policy initiatives affecting your practice and clients.
2/26/25
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) issued field guidance stating, among other things, that ORR will now require fingerprinting of all adult sponsors and their adult household members aged 18 and over, and adult caregivers identified in a Sponsor Care Plan. Guidance is effective immediately.
AILA Announcements
The deadline to submit articles for the fall 2025 edition of the AILA Law Journal is 8/1/25. Read our submission guidelines and submit your article today.
2/25/25
AILA Doc. No. 19072960.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced the expansion of a Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program and applies to current or former Cuban government officials and other persons who are believed to be responsible for or involved in the Cuban labor export program.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner could not demonstrate lack of notice because he had received two valid Notices of Hearing, and thus the BIA did not abuse its discretion when it declined to reopen its removal order and toll the deadline for lack of diligence. (Manyary v. Bondi, 2/21/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
On 2/19/25, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14218 directing the head of each executive department or agency to identify all federally funded programs that currently permit undocumented immigrants to obtain any cash or non-cash public benefit, among other actions. (90 FR 10581, 2/25/25)
2/25/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022005.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 25, 2025.
2/25/25
Practice Resources
USCIS made a same-day change to the I-914 form.
Examples & Questions
Canadian law firm is seeking asylum-seekers who were returned to the United States under the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement.
AILA Announcements
Join AILA's video roundtable on February 28, 2025, for financial management tips tailored to immigration lawyers. Discuss cash flow, budgeting, financial planning, and key metrics with CPA Terrell Turner. This informal session offers practical guidance to support your firm's success.
Congressional Updates, AILA Public Statements
AILA urges members of Congress to vote NO on “Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act.” The bill would render noncitizens who have committed certain domestic violence crimes including stalking, child abuse, and child neglect inadmissible and deportable under federal immigration law.
Practice Resources
USCIS has confirmed that a glitch in online Form I-130 has been identified, and a fix is currently being implemented. However, the fix requires that it be implemented manually, thus it may take some time before it is completed. The Need Help form may be submitted if there is a filing urgency.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
E-Verify provided updated guidance on creating an E-Verify case for employees with TPS from Haiti in light of DHS Secretary Noem’s reduction of the period of extension and redesignation of Haiti TPS from 18 months to 12 months.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS SAVE issued an alert stating that Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for TPS recipients from Haiti with category A12 or C19 and an expiration date of 2/3/26 now expire on 8/3/25.
AILA Announcements
Ask any immigration practitioner and they’ll tell you, Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook isn’t optional, it’s a necessity. The 19th edition has more content than ever before, packed into a slimmer, easy-to-handle size. Order your copy now!
Practice Resources
AILA’s ICE National Committee provides the following suggestions for how to help noncitizens create a plan of action, in the event of a possible detention.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 24, 2025.
2/24/25
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the petitioner’s conviction for first-degree criminal mistreatment in Oregon was a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT), and that the petitioner was ineligible for cancellation of removal under INA §240A(a). (Murillo-Chavez v. Bondi, 2/13/25)
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
Upholding the BIA’s denial of the petitioner’s motion to reconsider his asylum application, the court held that circuit precedent requires an applicant to show the home government’s inability or unwillingness to control a non-state persecutor. (Molina-Diaz v. Bondi, 2/19/25)
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS notice stating that the designation and extension period for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti is being reduced from 18 to 12 months. The extension and new designation will expire on 8/3/25, and the first-time registration will remain in effect until 8/3/25. (90 FR 10511, 2/24/25)
Press Releases
AILA President Kelli Stump and Executive Director Ben Johnson responded to the Senate passage of the budget reconciliation bill noting, “Missing from this budget is any understanding that immigrants have been and continue to be vital to America’s success.”
2/21/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022105.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 25-23 stating that, in the context of any future personnel actions, EOIR may decline to recognize the multiple layers of for-cause removal restrictions for all of EOIR’s inferior officers if they are determined to be unconstitutional.
2/21/25
AILA Doc. No. 25022104.
Practice Resources
On February 19, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the partial vacatur of the July 1, 2024 notice extending and redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 21, 2025.
2/21/25
Practice Resources
Donusia Lipinski leads you in a breathing awareness exercise to allow us to take a moment to slow down and just breathe. This program originally appeared as a part of the 2023 Lawyer Well-Being Week.
2/21/25
AILA Doc. No. 23062802.
Professional Resources
Innovation and Technology Committee member Ruby Powers dives into ways to incorporate AI into your practice.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 25-22 on re-establishing “appropriate, ethical, and lawful boundaries” for the Access EOIR Initiative.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS provided a fact sheet on eight transnational organizations that it designated on 2/20/25 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to review the BIA’s affirmance of the IJ’s denial of the petitioner’s motion to continue his removal proceedings based on his daughter’s then-pending I-130 petition, and upheld the BIA’s denial of his motion to remand. (Ikome v. Bondi, 2/12/25)
AILA Announcements
As we work through new legal changes with our clients, remember to take care of yourself and your practice.
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS announced in a statement that, on 2/18/25, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed a memorandum deputizing up to 600 special agents within the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service across the United States to assist with arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices
DOS notice stating that, on 2/6/25, Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha, Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, Carteles Unidos, Cartel del Noreste, Cartel del Golfo, and LNFM as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. (90 FR 10030, 2/20/25)
AILA Blog
In this blog post, AILA member Mustafa Cetin shares the basic outlines of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa and some considerations for employers and visa holders to keep in mind.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on February 20, 2025.
2/20/25