Immigration law moves through agency policy, Board of Immigration Appeals precedent, and federal court rulings — often faster than the published guidance can catch up. This page tracks the decisions that are reshaping how cases are filed, adjudicated, and defended.
Each entry below summarizes a recent ruling or policy memorandum, then walks through what it actually means for the cases it touches. Written by Roberta — in plain language, with the citations a practicing attorney would need to pull the underlying authority.
United States District Court Vacates 39 Country Pause on Immigration Benefits
On June 5, 2026, Chief Judge John J. McConnell of the United States District Court for Rhode Island vacated USCIS-enacted policies known as the 39 country pause on adjudication of immigration benefits.
Read the decision →Matter of Yadav: BIA Limits Reopening of Removal Cases After Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
In Matter of Yadav, the Board of Immigration Appeals held that a valid marriage to a U.S. citizen entered into after a removal order does not constitute an exceptional situation warranting sua sponte reopening of removal proceedings.
Read the decision →USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199: Adjustment of Status Discretion
Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, issued by USCIS on May 21, 2026 and released to the public on May 22, 2026, is the Administration apostrophe s latest effort to restrict legal immigration. It is important to know what is true in the PM and what is not.
Read the decision →While you’re here
If you came looking for a specific area of immigration law, here is where to read about it:
- Citizenship & Naturalization — N-400 strategy, derivative citizenship, civics-test preparation
- Adjustment of Status — family-based, employment-based, VAWA, asylum-derived green cards
- Waivers — I-601, I-601A, fraud and misrepresentation, joint-filing waivers
- Removal Proceedings — NTA challenges, asylum, cancellation, defense
- Non-Immigrant Visas — B, F, J, O, P, U classifications on one consolidated page
- Employment Authorization — EAD eligibility and the statutory bases