Your Trusted Source of Immigration Information

Written by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). Legally reviewed by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

Updated on May 08, 2025

IRAP has written an explainer providing an in-depth overview of the recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) following the January 20, 2025 executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” The explainer analyzes the implications of halting refugee case processing and admissions, how the suspension affects pending applications, and its impact on other pathways including Welcome Corps, Afghan SIVs, and family reunification. Published: April 28, 2025

Written by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). Legally reviewed by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

Updated on May 08, 2025

How long will an immigrant visa applicant have to wait for an interview at a U.S. consular office after their visa application is complete? From the State Department’s internal data, we know that as of December 2024, some consular offices had no backlogs at all, while other offices expect to take over two years to schedule an interview. Frustratingly, the State Department provides no public data for immigrant visa applicants broken down by consular office, even though the State Department tracks this data internally and provides non-immigrant visa interview wait times on its website.

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

Updated on May 08, 2025

CLINIC's Immigration Legal Services Screening Tool provides sample questions your program may consider when screening individuals for immigration legal relief.

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

Updated on May 08, 2025

This resource provides information for practitioners on a new policy memo issued by USCIS on Feb. 28, 2025, which revives previous Trump administration policies that expanded situations where USCIS was directed to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) to individuals applying for immigration benefits. It includes a draft informed consent document for individuals who may be subject to NTA issuance.

Written by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). Legally reviewed by International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

Updated on May 08, 2025

Following media reports of a potential entry ban that could impact Afghan SIV holders, IRAP shares the information below, adapted from IRAP’s Practice Guide on Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans and Iraqis, to help legal practitioners prepare Afghan and Iraqi SIV clients who book their own travel. While this resource is focused on Afghan and Iraqi SIV holders and the appendices are tailored for the SIV process, the general steps outlined below may be helpful to legal practitioners working with other immigrant visa holders or people in similar situations such as follow-to-join asylees holding boarding foils who fear persecution in their country of origin and may be at risk from a potential travel ban. Published: March 7, 2025

Written by American Bar Association (ABA). Legally reviewed by American Bar Association (ABA).

Updated on May 08, 2025

Join Valencia Herrera, Managing Attorney at The Grande Law Firm and Adonia Simpson, Deputy Director of Policy and Pro Bono at the ABA Commission on Immigration, for a discussion exploring the Trump administration’s directive requiring noncitizens over the age of 14 to register with the government. Learn about how the historical context of registration, who is already considered registered, and how the registry places many individuals in a difficult position—facing either the risk of apprehension by immigration authorities or severe penalties for noncompliance, including fines, jail time, and deportation. This important conversation explores how advocates can help clients navigate this new requirement, and examines the broader implications of the registration. Published: March 20, 2025

Written by American Bar Association (ABA). Legally reviewed by American Bar Association (ABA).

Updated on May 08, 2025

Currently, many immigration legal service providers are facing the prospect of losing federal funding for direct representation work. The likely result of federal funding elimination is that some legal service offices will be forced to close, while others will have to reduce staff to sustain operations. This stark reality raises serious questions about legal services practitioners’ obligations to existing and future clients because ethical duties of competence, diligence, and preparedness continue to apply despite external factors such as funding availability.

Written by American Bar Association (ABA). Legally reviewed by American Bar Association (ABA).

Updated on May 08, 2025

Many people mistakenly believe a "frivolous asylum application" refers to a case that lacks sufficient evidence or for some other reason is ultimately unsuccessful on its merits. However, under the law, a frivolous application refers to a case where the applicant knowingly fabricated a key part of the claim and failed to clear up disparities or unbelievable aspects.

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

Updated on May 08, 2025

It is critical that an organization’s leadership understands that there are legal, ethical, reputational, and practical ramifications of hasty downsizing or program closure. While Board members and leaders of organizations that have been affected by dramatic funding cuts have fiduciary responsibilities to maintaining the financial health of the organization, they must balance these with their equally important legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities to clients.

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

Updated on May 08, 2025

Since returning to office, the Trump administration has issued a wave of executive orders, policy actions, memoranda, and guidance documents that significantly impact immigration law and the adjudication of cases. This resource seeks to highlight the key impacts of the new Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) memos for legal services providers (LSPs) and their clients and offers practical guidance for effective representation in immigration court. Last Updated: April 22, 2025