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Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

On July 4, 2025, the president signed the new budget bill H.R. 1 that increases the fees for certain immigration benefits and amends the availability of fee waivers in certain instances. This FAQ addresses questions related to the new fee increases.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual Volume 8, Part K, Chapter 2, to incorporate more fully the application of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision in Matter of Zhang, 27 I&N Dec. 569 (BIA 2019). In that decision, the BIA held that the false claim of U.S. citizenship ground of inadmissibility under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) does not include an intent requirement. Prior DHS guidance had treated the person’s knowledge, age, or mental capacity as possible defenses to this ground. The update spells out when the person might still be able to show they did not have a subjective intent to obtain a benefit under state or federal law. It is effective immediately for cases pending or filed on/after Aug. 20, 2025.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

Practitioners before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) are dealing with competing pressures when deciding whether to seek a fee waiver for a client in removal proceedings. The recently passed congressional legislation dramatically increases fees for post-decision motions and appeals, making such motions and appeals impossible for many noncitizens to afford. For example, the fee for an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is now $1,010 (up from $110), while a motion to reconsider or reopen before the BIA or Immigration Judge (IJ) is now $1,045 (up from $145).   

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently increased the scrutiny officers would apply in determining whether naturalization applicants can establish their necessary “good moral character” (GMC). The new Policy Memorandum marks a notable shift in how applicants for U.S. citizenship are evaluated — not just for past misconduct, but also for their positive contributions and overall character. While certain acts will make the applicant ineligible to establish GMC, the new standard requires the applicant to proactively demonstrate certain positive set forth in the memo.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is an administrative agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ) which adjudicates appeals of decisions by immigration judges and certain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denials. The Board receives 30,000-60,000 appeals each year. In 2024, the BIA adjudicated 44,785 appeals, leaving 138,672 cases pending. Very few of these decisions are “published,” meaning that the decision becomes available to the public and is binding on immigration judges and USCIS. Over the past eight years, the Board issued between 13-27 precedential decisions each year. However, as of Aug. 22, 2025, the Board has already published 34 precedential cases and is on track to set a record for the number of cases published in a single year.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised Vol 7, Part A, Chapter 7, of the Policy Manual regarding the date of age calculation under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Beginning on Aug. 15, 2025, the agency will calculate the child’s age when the priority date becomes current using the Visa Bulletin’s Chart A, Final Action Dates, or when the petition is approved, whichever is later. This resource discusses the implications of this change for clients and legal practitioners.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

This article will examine the factors or evidence that give rise to heightened scrutiny and the documentary proof you should include to increase the odds that the marriage-based petition or application will be approved.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Updated on September 16, 2025

Despite the enormous potential for generative AI to increase efficiency in the legal practice, its ability to conduct legal research is imperfect. Ethical use of these tools by immigration practitioners requires not only technical proficiency but also a sound understanding of their inherent tendencies and limitations. The well-documented propensity of ChatGPT and similar generative AI tools to “hallucinate” or invent precedential case law poses grave risks to practitioners who are not diligent about verifying its output.  

Written by Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS). Legally reviewed by Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) and National Immigration Project.

Updated on September 16, 2025

This factsheet provides an overview of the Tenth Circuit's published decision in O.C.V. v. Bondi, vacating the Board of Immigration Appeals decision Matter of M-R-M-S-, which had established a heightened nexus standard in asylum cases.

Written by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Legally reviewed by Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), National Immigration Project, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Ready to Stay Coalition .

Updated on September 16, 2025

This practice advisory from CLINIC, the Ready to Stay coalition, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and the National Immigration Project summarizes the most common reasons why USCIS may deny an N-400, provides guidance for ways to screen and avoid an N-400 denial and removal proceedings, and discusses immigration relief options in immigration court.