Agency Memos & Announcements
ICE provides a “delegation of parental authority packet” that contains the appropriate forms to use for delegating parental rights to another person through “child” or “custodial” power of attorney.
Professional Resources
During stressful times like this, self-care can start to feel like yet another chore. Just another item on the to-do list. But self-help is not all bubble baths and meditation. It can also be about simple, practical choices that protect your time, energy, and mental well-being. Learn more.
Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
AILA’s local ICE Liaisons have shared their contact information and local ICE contact information with AILA National’s ICE Liaison Committee. The contact information is organized by chapter.
Client Flyers, Professional Resources
The AILA Client Resources Committee provides brief educational flyers tailored for members to distribute among clients or potential clients. Learn how you can use these flyers to easily market your firm’s expertise on social media.
AILA Announcements
Please note that from December 25 through January 1, AILA National will be closed and AILA8 will not be sent. During this time, as always, AILA resources will remain available on the AILA website. Any urgent announcements during the break will also be shared on our website.
12/20/24
Practice Resources
House Republicans continue to try and avoid a government shutdown, hours before the late Friday deadline, after their second funding proposal was defeated Thursday night. Use this page to know what might happen if the government does shut down.
Agency Memos & Announcements
DOL provided additional guidance after litigation in Barton v. DOL prevented DOL from implementing certain provisions of the Farmworker Protection Rule in certain states.
FR Regulations & Notices
Advance copy of DHS/DOJ interim final rule further delaying the Security Bars and Processing Final Rule's effective date until 12/31/25. Comments will be due 30 days after publication. Interim final rule will be published in the Federal Register on 12/27/24.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 20, 2024.
12/20/24
AILA Doc. No. 24122032.
Practice Resources
Partners created a one-pager with five key takeaways from the J.O.P. v. DHS settlement agreement, including a reminder that USCIS must receive the prospective class member's I-589 by February 24, 2025.
Professional Resources
AILA Ethics Committee Vice Chair Natalia Polukhtin discusses steps you can take to prepare for the incoming Administration while maintaining your ethical obligations both to yourself and your clients.
Agency Memos & Announcements
GAO issued a report highlighting DOJ's failure to reliably track noncitizens' attendance at immigration hearings and recommends improvements to EOIR's system for better data accuracy and informed decision-making on in absentia removal rates.
Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee offers practical guidance for addressing case-specific questions and problems when a case is pending at a consular post.
Practice Resources
AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provided a practice alert summarizing the key takeaways from the H-2 Modernization Final Rule published on December 18, 2024.
Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
The USCIS Field Operations Liaison Committee provides an updated document containing tips and tricks for interacting with local USCIS field offices. Please feel free to report any changes or trends to the USCIS Field Operations Liaison Committee via the survey on the committee’s webpage.
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 22050952.
Practice Resources
The DOS Liaison Committee provides some possible workarounds to address the ongoing issues with CEAC. AILA also reports that two tech fixes were rolled out on December 18, 2024.
Professional Resources
Well-Being Committee Member Lynn Calder and Vice Chair Laura F. Kelley discuss their strategies for dealing with feeling overwhelmed by work with practical tips in this six-minute video.
FR Regulations & Notices
USCIS 30-day request for comments on Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. Comments are due by 1/21/25. (89 FR 103851, 12/19/24)
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121933.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 19, 2024.
12/19/24
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements
AILA provides a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention.
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS has issued policy guidance to provide flexibility during emergencies, such as natural disasters or health crises, addressing extensions of stay, employment authorization, fee waivers, and other areas to assist benefit requestors.
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121932.
Professional Resources
Every attorney should draft their own philosophy of practice. In this article, explore the four philosophies of lawyering that guide attorneys in their practices and how an attorney’s chosen philosophy influences their real-life decisions in representing clients.
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 17092930.
Ethics
Practice Resources, AILA Announcements
This free recording of a South Florida chapter webinar details how the new FAM guidance strengthens chances for D3 waiver approval for DACA beneficiaries and makes most DACA beneficiaries eligible for expedited waiver processing.
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121931.
DACA
Examples & Questions, Practice Resources
AILA was informed that USCIS is currently processing biometrics requests for defensive asylum applications filed in September 2024. Submit any examples for cases submitted prior to this date that have an upcoming hearing, but have not received a biometrics notice.
12/19/24
AILA Doc. No. 24120233.
Asylum
AILA Announcements
AILA is collecting information on members' awareness and thoughts on AILA Lawyer, our referral platform designed to connect potential clients with trusted immigration attorneys. Whether you’re currently using it, considering it, or have never heard of it, your feedback is important to us.
12/19/24
Practice Resources
AILA reminds members that the Edakunni settlement sunset is scheduled for January 18, 2025, and members should plan accordingly.
Agency Memos & Announcements
On 12/18/24, the CIS Ombudsman issued recommendations to USCIS to improve the processing of Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Proposals include revising the form, using conditional logic for accuracy, implementing a self-service tool, and enhancing interagency coordination to reduce delays.
Professional Resources
Read this week's hypothetical and see how AILA's Ethics Compendium can help provide answers to these types of ethical scenarios. This week's hypothetical concerns an interpreter’s fragmented translations and unmediated exchanges with a non-English-speaking client.
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 18, 2024.
12/18/24
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS is updating its Policy Manual to reflect modernized case assistance and feedback processes, including expanded online tools. Key updates include clarifications on address discrepancies and changes, ensuring address updates occur only with a specific request. Effective immediately.
12/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121834.
AILA Blog
In this blog post, AILA President Kelli Stump shares why she believes “we are entering a new chapter in immigration law that promises to bring both immense challenges and critical opportunities” making AILA’s work supporting our members more important than ever.
12/18/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121833.
Professional Resources
Read this week's hypothetical and see how AILA's Ethics Compendium can help provide answers to these types of ethical scenarios. This week's scenario presents a competence question involving a lack of adequate thoroughness by an experienced lawyer.
Practice Resources
The H-2 Subcommittee of AILA’s DOL Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding the filing of Forms ETA790A and ETA9142A in light of the November 25, 2024, preliminary injunction in Barton, et al. v. U.S. Department of Labor, et al.
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS final rule amending its regulations affecting the H-2A and H-2B programs and their employees. Rule is effective 1/17/25. (89 FR 103202, 12/18/24)
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS final rule amending its regulations to modernize the H-1B requirements, provide flexibility in the F-1 program, and program improvements affecting other nonimmigrant workers. Rule is effective 1/17/25. (89 FR 103054, 12/18/24)
FR Regulations & Notices
DHS final rule amending its regulations to allow asylum officers to consider the potential application of certain bars to asylum and statutory withholding of removal during credible fear and reasonable fear screenings. Rule is effective 1/17/25. (89 FR 103370, 12/18/24)
Practice Resources
AILA’s CBP OFO Committee seeks examples of green card holders whose trusted traveler program privileges have been suspended while waiting for approval of a requested immigration benefit.
Professional Resources
Succession planning should be more than a disaster plan. This video helps you consider what you want your retirement to look like. Watch the other videos in this series for a comprehensive approach to succession planning.
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
Ben Johnson responded to the asylum regulation published today: “This rule will not bring more consistency or order to border processing...Without adequate resources, this rule not only risks asylum applicants being wrongly rejected but also weakens accurate national security assessments.”
12/17/24
AILA Doc. No. 24121707.
Asylum
Practice Resources
AILA's USCIS Benefits Policy Committee provides a Practice Alert on the Publication of the H-1B Modernization Final Rule.
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, January 14, or sign up for AILALink office hours.
12/17/24
AILA Doc. No. 15082740.
AILA Public Statements, Press Releases
AILA highlights three recent Biden Administration workforce-focused rules, noting they “will bolster the integrity of these programs and help both employers and employees navigate what can often be an uncertain amalgam of immigration laws and policies.”
Immigration News
Aggregated local and national media coverage of major immigration law news stories being discussed throughout the U.S. on December 17, 2024.
12/17/24
AILA Blog
AILA Law Journal author Sandra Grossman digs into updates about INTERPOL Red Notices and the updated article she and Ted Bromund shared in the most recent edition; these notices have a massive impact on affected clients and are often misunderstood.
AILA Announcements
As the inauguration of Donald Trump approaches, his policies threaten America’s families, businesses, and economy. AILA urges President Biden to advance reforms and take immediate action to counteract harmful immigration measures.
12/17/24
AILA Doc. No. 24112505.
AILA Announcements
From now through 12/20/24 only, save $50 on 12-month, new AILALink subscriptions (use code 2024LINK50) and 15% on AILA online courses and publications (use code (2024SAVE15). Terms apply.
12/17/24
Agency Memos & Announcements
USCIS updated its instructions for submitting certain applications in immigration court and for providing biometrics and biometric information to USCIS, noting that the instructions provide that I-589 applicants will no longer need to mail USCIS information to complete their biometrics collection.
AILA Announcements
AILA’s Federal District Court Litigation Online Course provides immigration practitioners with practical skills to handle federal district court cases effectively. Learn strategies for complaints, responses, and motions, with guidance from expert faculty through real-world applications.
Practice Resources
AILA provides a practice alert on USCIS officers and answers the following questions who is the average USCIS officer, and what is their work and career context?
FR Regulations & Notices
DOL notice of the adverse effect wage rate for workers engaged in the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant workers (H–2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services other than the herding or production of livestock on the range, effective 12/16/24. (89 FR 101628, 12/16/24)