Agency Memos & Announcements
DOS announced that, effective 10/1/26, it will expand its online presence review to cover I, TN, and TD visa applicants. DOS instructs all applicants subject to this expanded vetting to set all of their social media profiles to "public" or "open."
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DOS 60-day notice of comment request on the creation of Form DS-864E, Request for Exemption From Immigrant Visa Applicant's Affidavit of Support. Comments are due 11/17/26. (91 FR 59292, 9/18/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA members are reporting that, as of mid-September 2026, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) is no longer providing information on individuals with final removal orders. AILA is continuing to monitor the issue.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
The Asylum & Refugee Committee holds monthly office hours every 3rd Monday, 2-3 pm ET. Join this open forum to discuss issues practitioners are facing, to strategize, and to otherwise collaborate with a group of experts. All are welcome and the committee is grateful for members' participation.
Accessible to: Member.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on September 18, 2026.
9/18/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that a noncitizen convicted of an aggravated felony is inadmissible under INA §212(a)(8)(A) as an immigrant ineligible to citizenship, overruled Matter of Kanga, and held that its decision applies prospectively only. Matter of A–V–O–, 30 I&N Dec. 44 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Practice Resources
USCIS responds to AILA's inquiry regarding cases impacted by a system glitch that caused online case statuses to state that the case was being placed on hold due to issues with payment. USCIS is actively working to resolve the issue.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
FR Regulations & Notices
CDC notice with comment period to announce the extension of the Title 42 order denying entry of non-citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan during the last 21 days until 10/11/26. (91 FR 58673, 9/16/26)
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Operations Committee provides clarification on the effective dates and versions for Form I-485 and associated supplement forms given the interim final rule published on 9/04/26. As a reminder, due to the Public Charge FR, the 9/18/26 edition of Form I-485 becomes effective on 9/18/26.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Blog
AILA Benefits Litigation Committee Member Steven Brown details the recent injunction postponing the effective date of DHS's Final Rule replacing duration of status with fixed periods of admission for F, J, and I nonimmigrants (international students) and what the ruling means.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
OFLC announced a new Records Management page on the Foreign Labor Certification website. It covers OFLC’s records retention policy, explains how FLAG retains and disposes of records, and provides guidance on searching for and retrieving case information from FLAG.
Accessible to Public.
DOS Secretary announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals who allegedly enact or implement laws or policy “that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and/or the incitement of imminent violence” against Afrikaners and other minority groups in South Africa.
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 17, 2026.
9/17/26
Accessible to Public.
Professional Resources
A strong business plan helps immigration law firms define their vision and serve clients effectively. This article provides a business plan template that can help your firm align strategy, operations, and resources to establish long-term success in a competitive market.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
The updated 20th edition of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook covers key developments through the 2025 to 2026 Supreme Court term, including 1,000+ new cases, policy changes, executive actions, and major updates on enforcement, asylum, employment immigration, and visas. Order today!
9/17/26
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 16, 2026.
9/16/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
Whether you're addressing inadmissibility, removability, or other barriers to immigration benefits, The Waivers Book provides practical strategies, expert analysis, and reliable guidance to help you navigate complex cases and advocate effectively for your clients.
9/16/26
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 15, 2026.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Examples & Questions
AILA's DOL Committee seeks examples of PERM denials where the case was denied solely because the filing deadline went beyond the usual 180-peroid, but were part of the group of cases that received filing accommodations due to the government shutdown in October 2025.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2026-13) updating Policy Manual guidance on referring cases for revocation of naturalization (denaturalization) under section 340 of the INA. Feedback is due 10/14/26.
Accessible to Public.
Client Flyers
AILA provides a flyer to help your clients understand changes for F-1 and J-1 visas, including elimination of duration of status. Please note: these changes are currently enjoined and will not take effect 9/15/26. The flyer is available as a generic PDF and a customizable Word version. Please share.
Accessible to Public.
Featured Issues
DHS has attempted to end the longstanding duration of status framework for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, replacing it with fixed periods of admission for these visas. This page will collect resources to help practitioners navigate this change and litigation that may impact its implementation.
Accessible to Public.
Practice Resources
AILA updates members that new versions of Forms I-539 and I-765 will no longer take effect on September 15, 2026 due to an injunction. New versions of Form I-485, Supp A and Supp J, I-945, and I-356 take effect on September 18. No grace period is provided but preview versions are available.
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
Federal Court Cases
On September 14, 2026, the evening before the Elimination of Duration of Status Final Rule was set to take effect, the District Court of Massachusetts enjoined its implementation in Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. DHS (9/14/22).
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
AILALink gives immigration lawyers searchable access to statutes, regulations, case law, government guidance, and AILA publications in one platform. Get trusted answers fast and stay current with changing law. Subscribe today.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
AILA Announcements
In the AILA Law Journal article “Cartels as FTOs,” Matthew Ramírez analyzes how cartel foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations affect TRIG determinations, asylum, and other protection claims. AILA members receive free digital access to the AILA Law Journal.
9/15/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DHS OIG released a report from a January 2026 inspection of ICE's Florida Soft-Sided Facility, known as “Alligator Alcatraz”, that found the facility did not comply with environmental health and safety, special management unit, medical care, food service, personal hygiene, and recreation standards.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 30-day notice of the revision Form I-751, Petition To Remove the Conditions on Residence. Comments are due 10/14/26. (91 FR 58160, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58150, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58157, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-526 Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, and Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58144, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 60-day notice of the revision of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. Comments are due 11/13/26. (91 FR 58164, 9/14/26)
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS posted special instructions to the Form I-945, Public Charge Bond web page noting that on 9/18/26, USCIS will publish a revised edition of the form that will be required immediately, with no grace period. A preview version of the new form (edition date: 09/18/26) is available.
9/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26091403.
Accessible to Public.
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
AILA is proud to celebrate 21 years of AILA Citizenship Day on and around Thursday, September 17, with our partners: NALEO Educational Fund, National Partnership for New Americans, Citizenshipworks, and the New Americans Campaign.
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 14, 2026.
9/14/26
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, DOJ/EOIR Cases
The BIA held that redaction of personally identifying information from inter-proceeding declarations provides sufficient protection of the declarants’ privacy and that declarants need not be made available for cross-examination before comparison. Matter of V–S–A–, 30 I&N Dec. 37 (BIA 2026)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Professional Resources
In this article by Michele Carney, former Ethics Committee Chair, explains the single-mistake doctrine in ethic that single mistake should not result in career-defining discipline and discusses how that can pan out in a field of repeated change.
9/14/26
AILA Doc. No. 26091103.
Ethics
Accessible to: Member, Student, Paralegal.
AILA Announcements
Stay current on evolving family immigration law with the updated Immigration Law and the Family. Featuring practical insights and case-based guidance, this resource helps attorneys address complex issues and protect their clients' interests. Order today.
9/14/26
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS is issued a policy alert (PA-2026-12) updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the regulatory changes on the registration of children born to foreign government employees in the United States as lawful permanent residents. Feedback is due 10/5/26.
Accessible to Public.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS announced that it received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B cap for the first half of FY27. 9/4/26 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before 4/1/27.
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
EOIR 30-day notice of the extension and revision of Form EOIR-59, Certification and Release of Records. Revisions include a new field to collect parent or guardian name, removal of the term “noncitizen”, and updated links and privacy policy. Comments are due 10/13/26. (91 FR 57930, 9/11/26)
Accessible to Public.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS notice of proposed rulemaking to eliminate the 60-day grace period afforded to individuals with E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN nonimmigrant classifications upon cessation of employment before their authorized period of stay expires. Comments are due 11/10/26. (91 FR 57807, 9/11/26)
Accessible to Public.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a change in law is not a basis for statutory reopening, that the petitioner’s untimely motion for reconsideration did not warrant equitable tolling, and that it lacked jurisdiction to review the denial of sua sponte reopening. (Aristy-Rosa v. Att’y Gen., 9/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that substantial evidence review applies to hardship determinations for cancellation of removal and to battery or extreme cruelty and hardship determinations for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) special cancellation. (Okene v. Blanche, 9/4/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that Wisconsin’s child neglect statute is categorically a crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment under INA §237(a)(2)(E)(i), rendering the petitioner’s conviction under the statute a bar to cancellation of removal. (Reynoso-Salgado v. Blanche, 9/1/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction under INA §242(a)(1) to review an IJ’s affirmance of an asylum officer’s negative reasonable fear determination because the decision is not a final order of removal and does not affect the validity of one. (Sebastian-Perez v. Blanche, 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that a CAT order is not a final order of removal reviewable on its own under INA §242(a)(1) and that the 30-day deadline for filing a petition for review is a mandatory claims-processing rule not subject to equitable tolling. (B.P. v. Blanche, 9/2/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule conflicts with the asylum statute by restricting eligibility based on manner of entry, and that the agency also legally erred by failing to apply the complete mixed motives framework. (Garcia Morales v. Blanche, 8/31/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that the agency erred by requiring a pro se petitioner to submit a separate formal affidavit or corroborating documentary evidence for a motion to reopen an in absentia order where his factual assertions were not inherently unbelievable. (Trigueros Quizar v. Blanche, 9/4/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.
Cases & Decisions, Federal Court Cases
The court held that reinstatement orders are final orders of removal subject to review, that petitioner was not entitled to equitable tolling of his untimely petition, and that 8 CFR §103.5(a) authorizes CBP to reopen, reconsider, and rescind reinstatement orders. (Santos v. Blanche, 9/8/26)
Accessible to: Member, Student, Govt/Policy, Paralegal.