February 2026 » Page 3 of 3

asylum claim

Immigration Judge Persecution Ruling Reinforced by BIA

A recent decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) concurred with an immigration judge’s (IJ) ruling on whether death threats count as persecution. Both the immigration judge and board explained death threats alone don’t count as a form of persecution, unless they’re objectively credible. Recipients don’t qualify for asylum

February 10, 2026

ICE

ICE Agents Can’t Use Force Against Protesters, Judge Rules

An Oregon judge temporarily banned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from using forceful methods, like tear gas, against protesters. The ruling comes days after ICE agent deployed the chemicals during a largely peaceful protest outside an ICE office in Portland. The ban lasts until February 17, 2026. The decision

February 9, 2026

Employment Based Visa

Gold Card Program Challenged in Court

A coalition of immigrants working with an academic labor union sued the government over the recently implemented gold card program. The plaintiffs explained the program limits visa openings for scientists, doctors, and other highly skilled professionals. The lawsuit is the first legal challenge to the gold card program. Enacted in

February 5, 2026

adoption visas

Adoption Visas Exempted from Immigration Processing Block

The executive order titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States” went into effect on January 1, 2026. The order temporarily bars all immigration visa processing from seventy-five different countries. Recently, the Department of State (DOS) explained the pause doesn’t apply

February 5, 2026

green card holders

Re-entry Permits: What Green Card Holders Should Know

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) often need to travel outside the United States for work, family obligations, medical care, or long-term projects. While international travel is permitted, extended time abroad creates real immigration risks if it is not planned carefully. A re-entry permit is one of the most important

February 4, 2026

DHS

Somalia TPS Terminated

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it won’t extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designation for Somalia. The move is the latest in a series of TPS terminations for countries like Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. This means individuals residing in the U.S. under the program face losing their detention

February 4, 2026

Haiti TPS

Circuit Court Rules TPS Termination Unlawful

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Termination of Venezuela and Haiti’s TPS designations was unlawful. The court explained that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) exceeded its authority when it voided both countries’ designations. Additionally, the court explained the parameters of the TPS program don’t grant the DHS

February 4, 2026

Board of Immigration Appeals

Partial Asylum Admission Granted by Circuit Court

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals partially granted an individual’s petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) denial of asylum and removal relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The Circuit Court found the BIA erred in fully denying the petitioner’s asylum admission. While denying the appellant’s

February 4, 2026

asylum claim

Asylum Denial Reinforced by BIA

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ruled in favor of an immigration judge (IJ)’s asylum denial. Proceedings in immigration court showed the plaintiff lived in India without incident for five years. The IJ explained firm resettlement in another country disqualifies an individual for asylum under U.S. law. A native of

February 4, 2026

FY2027 H-1B

H-1B Registration Period Announced

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the initial H-1B registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B cap season. Registration will be open from 12pm EST on March 4 until 12pm EST on March 19, 2026. During this period, H-1B petitioners will be able to register candidates using an online

February 4, 2026