Immigration Law

Labor Awards $1.6M for Nebraska Plant Closure Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded over $1.6 million to the Nebraska Department of Labor to assist workers affected by the closure of a Tyson Foods plant. The grant will fund employment and training services for approximately 3,200 laid-off workers in seven Nebraska counties.

ICE Removes War Criminal and Terrorist to Ethiopia

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the removal of Solomon Bogale, a member of the Ethiopian paramilitary organization Fano, to Ethiopia. Bogale was found to have called for ethnic cleansing and was denied immigration benefits.

DOJ Guidance on Generative AI Use in EOIR Proceedings

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has issued guidance on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its proceedings. The guidance addresses the potential benefits and risks, particularly concerning the generation of inaccurate legal citations or arguments.

EOIR Adjudicator Independence and Impartiality Policy Memo

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has issued a new policy memorandum (PM 25-42) updating guidance on the independence and impartiality of its adjudicators. This memo supersedes and replaces PM 21-15, clarifying existing principles and addressing potential confusion arising from subsequent practices.

EOIR Updates Guidance for Dedicated Docket Cases

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has updated its guidance for Dedicated Docket cases, expanding the program nationwide to all immigration courts not exclusively adjudicating detained aliens. The updated policy aims to improve efficiency by setting new adjudication timeframes for immigration judges and appellate judges.

Immigration Appeal Deadline Reminder

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) issued a reminder that the deadline for appealing an Immigration Judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals remains 30 days. This clarifies confusion stemming from a vacated interim final rule that had proposed a 10-day deadline.

DOJ Rescinds Asylum Fee Policy Memorandum

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has rescinded Policy Memorandum 25-36, which implemented new immigration fees. This action follows a court order that temporarily stayed the memorandum, although the underlying statutory fees remain in effect.

Immigration Appeals Board Procedures: Comment Period Extended

The Executive Office for Immigration Review has extended the public comment period for proposed changes to the Board of Immigration Appeals' appellate procedures. The new deadline for submitting comments is April 8, 2026. This extension provides additional time for stakeholders to review and respond to the proposed rule.

ICE Arrests 9 Illegal Alien Sex Offenders in California

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of nine individuals with prior sex offense convictions who were in the country illegally in California. The operation highlights ICE's ongoing efforts to remove dangerous criminals and criticizes state policies that allegedly hinder immigration enforcement.

US Sanctions Target DPRK IT Worker Schemes Defrauding Businesses

The U.S. Department of State and Treasury have sanctioned two entities and six individuals for their involvement in schemes using North Korean IT workers to generate revenue for the DPRK's weapons programs. These operations systematically defraud U.S. businesses and fund illicit WMD and ballistic missile development.

US Sanctions Hamas Illicit Charity Network

The U.S. Department of State announced sanctions against four illicit charities funding Hamas militants. These actions, taken under Executive Order 13224, aim to disrupt funding sources for terrorist activities and expose Hamas's use of civilian organizations. The sanctions are part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.

OFLC Webinar on CW-1 Application Process

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is hosting a webinar on March 25, 2026, to provide technical assistance on filing CW-1 applications for employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The session will cover application preparation, recruitment, and common post-filing issues.

DOJ Appoints 42 New Immigration Judges

The Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of 42 new immigration judges across 16 states. These appointments are part of an effort to reduce the immigration court backlog, which has seen over 380,000 cases resolved since January 20, 2025.

ICE Lodges Immigration Detainer Against Alien Accused of Murder

ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against Samuel Antonio Maldonado-Erazo, an illegal alien accused of violently abusing and murdering his three-year-old nephew. Maldonado-Erazo was arrested in Florida and ICE intends to remove him upon his release from local custody.

ICE Houston Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien Child Sex Offenders

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston announced the arrest of 414 criminal illegal aliens charged with or convicted of child sex offenses during President Trump's first year in office. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous administration, with the arrested individuals accounting for hundreds of child sex offenses and other crimes.

ICE Custody Death Notification: Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the death of Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, a 59-year-old Iranian national, in ICE custody in Natchez, Mississippi, on March 1, 2026. Najafabadi passed away from cardiac arrest at Merit Health Hospital after receiving medical care for pre-existing conditions. ICE is required to publicize such in-custody death reports.

Haitian man facing assault charges died in ICE custody

ICE announced the death of Emanuel Cleeford Damas, an individual facing criminal charges for assault and battery, while in ICE custody in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 2, 2026. Damas had a pending immigration case and was detained under the Lanken Riley Act.

Syrian National Extradited for Human Smuggling Investigation

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso announced the extradition of a Syrian national, Jalal Maklad Adeeb, to the U.S. to face charges related to a human smuggling operation. Adeeb is accused of leading an international network that smuggled hundreds of individuals into the U.S. for financial gain, collecting approximately $800,000 in fees.

Visa Restrictions for Undermining Great Lakes Peace

The Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on several senior Rwandan officials for fueling instability in eastern DRC and violating the Washington Accords. This action targets individuals undermining peace in the Great Lakes Region, pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

ICE Arrests Guatemalan National for Employing Illegal Aliens

ICE Homeland Security Investigations arrested Brayan Adiel Gramajo Reyes, a Guatemalan national, for allegedly employing illegal aliens and encouraging illegal entry in Idaho. The investigation also uncovered human trafficking elements, with Gramajo accused of exploiting unaccompanied alien children.

Alien Sentenced for Cartel Drug Operation

ICE Homeland Security Investigations announced the sentencing of Baldemar Navarro-Jaimes to nearly 20 years in prison for leading a cartel-linked drug trafficking operation. The investigation dismantled a multistate narcotics network tied to La Familia Michoacana, resulting in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and firearms.

Firearms Smuggling Leader Sentenced

Homeland Security Investigations announced the sentencing of Shem Wayne Alexander to nearly five years in prison for conspiracy to smuggle over 200 firearms from the US to Trinidad and Tobago. Alexander was extradited from Jamaica for prosecution.

ICE Custody Death Notification: Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the death of Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, an individual in ICE custody, at a California hospital on February 27, 2026. The notice details the circumstances of his death and ICE's commitment to providing comprehensive medical care.

ICE arrests MS-13 gang member with removal order

ICE New Orleans reported the administrative arrest of Edgar Vixney Hernandez-Velasquez, an MS-13 gang member with a final order of removal. The individual is in ICE custody pending removal from the United States.

ICE Lodges Immigration Detainers on Criminal Aliens Arrested for Manslaughter

ICE Houston has lodged immigration detainers on two individuals arrested for intoxicated manslaughter. The agency highlighted that in the past year, ICE Houston arrested 21 criminal aliens convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and 243 aliens with three or more DWI convictions.

ICE Corrects Misinformation on New Jersey Immigration Enforcement

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a notice to correct what it describes as false reporting regarding an immigration enforcement action in Trenton, New Jersey. The notice clarifies ICE's role and the nature of the operation, which involved federal partners executing a criminal warrant.

CBP Acting Commissioner Addresses Trade and Cargo Security Summit

CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores delivered remarks at the Trade and Cargo Security Summit on May 6, 2025. The speech highlighted CBP's efforts in fostering legitimate trade and travel, enforcing tariffs, and combating illicit fentanyl.

CBP Implements Presidential Executive Orders on Tariffs

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented five Presidential Executive Orders, introducing new tariff rates on imports from China, Hong Kong, Canada, and Mexico. These changes include additional tariffs based on product origin and type, effective March 4 and March 7, 2025.

CBP Statement on New Tariffs and Enforcement

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a statement detailing the implementation and enforcement of new presidential tariffs. The agency highlighted its role in collecting over $200 million daily in associated revenue and outlined specific tariff rates and effective dates for various goods, including passenger vehicles and imports from China.

CBP Field Operations Academy Accreditation Renewal Public Comment

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations Academy is seeking to maintain its accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CBP is providing the public an opportunity to submit comments relevant to the accreditation process.

CBP Supports Operation FREE 3.0 Fentanyl Initiative

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced its support for Operation FREE 3.0, a multiagency initiative to combat fentanyl trafficking. This operation involves over 175 federal, state, and local agencies across 14 states and leverages CBP's intelligence and investigative resources to target criminal networks.

Labor Department Resumes Foreign Labor Application Processing

The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has resumed processing of applications for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations. The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system and SeasonalJobs.dol.gov are now operational, allowing employers to submit new applications and access pending ones.

OFLC Updates Wage Statistics for July 2025-June 2026

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has published updated Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the July 2025 through June 2026 wage year. These updates include revised Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) delineations based on the 2020 Census, impacting prevailing wage determinations.

CNMI Prevailing Wage Data Updated for CW-1 Program

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has published updated prevailing wage data for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) CW-1 program. The updated wage table covers 848 occupations and will be effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

OFLC Updates Registration Number Linking for Primary Worksite MSAs

The Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has updated its 9142B Registration Number linking ability. This technical update allows the system to match registration number records containing Primary Worksite MSAs created in prior years that map to a current MSA value.

PERM Online Filing Adds External Case Actions Tab

The Department of Labor's PERM online filing system has added a new 'External Case Actions' tab to the Case Details page. This feature will display case actions performed by the filer, including their name and email address.

January 2026 Visa Bulletin Cutoff Dates

The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2026, detailing the 'Final Action Dates' and 'Dates for Filing Applications' for immigrant visas. This bulletin indicates when visa applicants can expect to be notified to assemble and submit their required documentation to the National Visa Center.

February 2026 Visa Bulletin Cutoff Dates

The Department of State has published the Visa Bulletin for February 2026, detailing the cutoff dates for immigrant visa applications. This bulletin indicates when applicants should be prepared to submit their documentation to the National Visa Center for final action.

December 2025 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for December 2025. This bulletin details the 'Final Action Dates' and 'Dates for Filing Applications' for preference immigrant visas, indicating when applicants can submit required documentation.

March 2026 Visa Bulletin

The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for March 2026, detailing immigrant visa availability. This bulletin provides "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications" for various preference categories, guiding applicants on when to submit documentation for immigrant visas and adjustment of status applications.

November 2025 Visa Bulletin

The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for November 2025, detailing the "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications" for immigrant visas. This bulletin informs visa applicants when they should assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

H-1B Visa Entry Restricted for Specialty Occupations

USCIS issued a memorandum restricting the entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers, effective September 21, 2025. The restriction applies to new petitions unless accompanied by a $100,000 payment. This action aims to address systemic abuse of the H-1B visa program.

USCIS Memo on Asylum and Benefit Applications from High-Risk Countries

USCIS issued a policy memorandum on December 2, 2025, directing personnel to place a hold on all pending asylum applications and certain benefit requests from aliens from high-risk countries. The memo mandates a comprehensive re-review of these applications and previously approved benefits for national security and public safety threats.

USCIS Policy Memo: Hold and Review of Applications from High-Risk Countries

USCIS issued a policy memorandum directing personnel to place a hold on all pending benefit applications from aliens listed in Presidential Proclamation 10998, which identifies additional high-risk countries for security review. This action requires a comprehensive review of policies and existing approved benefit requests.

USCIS Holds Diversity Visa Adjustment of Status Applications for Review

USCIS has placed a hold on all pending Diversity Visa (DV) Program adjustment of status applications for a comprehensive security review. This action mandates a thorough review of policies, procedures, and vetting processes, including interviews for Form I-485, for all affected applicants.

USCIS Policy: DACA Termination for Firearm Purchase Attempts

USCIS has issued new policy guidance instructing officers to terminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status for recipients who unlawfully attempt to purchase a firearm. This policy aligns with Executive Order 14161 and federal firearms regulations.

DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen

The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, effective May 4, 2026. This decision follows a review of country conditions and consultations with government agencies, determining that Yemen no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS designation.

Immigration Fraudster Arrested Working as Corrections Officer

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the arrest of Morris Brown, a Liberian national working as a Minnesota corrections officer, for serial immigration fraud. Brown allegedly overstayed his student visa, made false claims to U.S. citizenship, and committed marriage fraud.

DHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Asylum Seeker Screening

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule to strengthen the screening of asylum seekers and reduce fraudulent claims for work authorization. The proposed changes aim to decrease the incentive for meritless applications, thereby reducing processing times and the asylum backlog.

USCIS Aids Immigration Fraud Investigation Leading to Indictments

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assisted an investigation in New York that resulted in the indictment and arrest of four individuals for alleged immigration fraud. The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and false impersonation of U.S. officials, with over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions identified.