Cross-cutting analysis of executive actions, agency guidance, and federal court rulings reshaping U.S. immigration practice.
Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. struck down four USCIS policies that had frozen benefits, asylum, and re-review processing for nationals of 39 countries. The relief is nationwide — but the post-CASA fight over whether one district judge can do that is far from settled.
USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 reframes adjustment of status as an 'extraordinary' discretionary benefit, instructing officers to weigh prior status violations, intent at entry, and consular-processing alternatives. Practitioners say it rewrites the statute by memo — and a federal-court challenge is being prepared.