| 1. Policy Brief: Americans Want Safe Communities, Not a Dangerous and Costly Deportation Agenda Today, AILA published the newest policy brief in our series A Better Way on Immigration. The new brief focuses on the Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda and how its approach has endangered communities, wasted taxpayer resources, and weakened public safety. It highlights the harms of targeting low-risk individuals and outlines commonsense strategies to improve enforcement and public safety, including prioritizing violent offenders, reducing costly detention, establishing enforceable standards, and refocusing federal law enforcement on core missions. Be sure to explore all of the briefs in the series and read the blog post by AILA Senior Directors of Government Relations Greg Chen and Shev Dalal-Dheini for an executive summary and deeper insight into AILA’s roadmap for reform. To get involved, visit AILA’s Advocacy Action Center. 2. DOS Publishes Final Rule on Amending Regulations for the Diversity Visa Program Today, DOS published a final rule amending regulations governing the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. Under the rule, petitioners must submit information from an unexpired passport and a scan of the passport with their entry forms. The rule also updates regulatory language, including replacing “gender” with “sex” and “age” with “date of birth.” The rule takes effect on April 10, 2026. 3. Get Ready for AC26! Registration is open for the 2026 AILA Annual Conference! Join immigration law’s brightest minds, boldest ideas, and strongest advocates in beautiful San Diego, CA. Get cutting-edge insights, earn valuable CLEs, explore the latest tech and AI tools, and connect with colleagues who understand today’s high-stakes climate. This is the energy, strategy, and community your practice needs—register now and be part of it. And don’t forget to purchase tickets for AILA’s exclusive Saturday Night Party at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo! 4. Practice Pointer: Scheduling NIV Appointments Using U.S. Visa Appointment System (AVITS) AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee shared a new practice pointer on scheduling nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interviews using the AVITS platform. This resource is specifically intended for AILA members arranging NIV interviews at U.S. consulates that rely on AVITS, which is less transparent and more technically fragile than other systems. As a result, scheduling through AVITS requires heightened attention to detail and careful, candid counseling for clients. For a resource covering all aspects of consular processing, check out the new edition of The Consular Practice Handbook. 5. AILA Litigation Spotlight: Innovation Law Lab Wins Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus AILA members at the Innovation Law Lab secured habeas relief for M.L.G.G., who was unlawfully arrested and detained by ICE without a warrant. The U.S. District Court for Oregon rejected tolling of her removal period, found due process violations, and ordered her immediate release. Read AILA’s spotlight on this litigation win for more details, including a Q&A with the attorneys involved. Access sample briefs and orders associated with this case to help you prepare for similar habeas litigation. 6. Win the Toughest Removal Battles Removal defense demands precise and creative strategies. AILA’s Removal Litigation Toolbox equips you with practical tactics, sample filings, and expert guidance to fight for your client’s rights, whether you’re dealing with custody and bond, administrative closure, relief from removal, habeas petitions, or appeals. Don’t face the courtroom unprepared—order your copy today! 7. AAO Holds USCIS May Make Fraud Findings After Petition Withdrawal but Must Explain the Basis for Fraud or Misrepresentation In Matter of Texperts, Inc., the AAO found that while a visa petition cannot be denied on the merits following a withdrawal, officers may make findings of fact relevant to future benefit requests, including fraud or willful misrepresentation. The AAO withdrew the fraud finding against the petitioner, concluding the Director failed to provide an adequate analysis, and remanded for a new acknowledgment of withdrawal and a properly supported finding consistent with the opinion. This decision was originally entered on September 16, 2025, and the matter was reopened sua sponte for the limited purpose of making revisions for the designation of this decision as precedent. 8. NPR: Immigration Detention on Track for Deadliest Fiscal Year Since 2004 National Public Radio reports that this fiscal year is on track to be the deadliest in more than two decades for people in ICE detention, with 23 deaths since October—more than the total in the prior fiscal year. The increase comes amid historically high detention populations, overcrowding, and reduced oversight, with medical professionals and advocates warning that many of these deaths are preventable. DHS and ICE maintain that detainees receive health care and emergency treatment, but oversight gaps, staffing shortages, and delays in reporting have raised serious concerns. For ongoing updates, AILA maintains a continually updated list of press releases announcing deaths in adult immigration detention. Find this story and more in AILA’s daily immigration news clips. For complete coverage of the latest immigration updates, please visit AILA’s Recent Postings page. |