Guides to Filing Your First Habeas Corpus Petition by District
These four step-by-step guides will walk you through the steps for filing your first petition for habeas corpus (immigration) in each of the California federal district courts--the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California, the Central District of California, and the Southern District of California.
Administrative Closure, Termination, and Texas v. Department of Justice
This practice advisory summarizes this case and the issues that remain live in the Fifth Circuit, and offers advice on how to advocate for admin closure and termination in the current climate.
Reference Sheet on the Immigration Consequences of Delinquency
This chart describes commonly applied conduct-based grounds of inadmissibility and deportability and the juvenile court dispositions that might provide the government with evidence that the person comes within the ground.
ILRC Comment Opposing Proposed Form I-130 Changes
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted a comment to USCIS opposing proposed changes to Form I-130, which would more than double the form’s length and require additional information from petitioners and beneficiaries, including expanded criminal history, employment, education, and family-history questions.
2025 Annual Report
The ILRC has published its 2025 Annual Report, which includes information about the initiatives the organization took that year, as well as the organization's financial position.
Guide to Filing Your First Habeas Corpus Petition: Southern District of California
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the steps for filing your first petition for habeas corpus (immigration) in the Southern District of California. The guide provides helpful tips and how-tos from registering for PACER, the federal court electronic filing system, to applying for admission to the district bar, to formatting and filing your petition and motion for injunctive relief. The guide includes helpful screenshots and references to the local rules, as well as links to other useful practice advisories and resources.
FOIA Requests at DHS: Overview and Updates from 2025-2026
This practice advisory reviews recent changes and current practice in filing FOIA requests with DHS and with the different offices within DHS. Since January 22, 2026, all have transitioned exclusively to online filing. The only exception is for persons who lack internet access, such as incarcerated requestors, who may still file on paper, by mail.
Advance Parole Travel and Considerations - What You Must Know Now
In this community explainer, we will discuss the effects of this decision, how it impacts advance parole travel and applications for adjustment of status, and what applicants must consider moving forward.
Understanding Matter of Delcarmen-Lara: The New Meaning of "Departure" Under INA § 212(a)(9)(B)
On August 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a decision on Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, that overruled Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly and held that travel on advance parole is now a "departure" for purposes of the unlawful presence bars at INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i).
Quick Guide: Defending SIJS Clients in Removal Proceedings
This practice advisory, authored with our partners at the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, Children's Immigration Law Academy, Make the Road New York, National Immigration Project, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and Safe Passage Project, offers strategies at every stage of an SIJS client’s removal proceedings to advocate against the client’s removal and to preserve the record for appeal.
ILRC Submits Comment Opposing DHS Final Rule on Immigrant Registration
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted a comment strongly opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s Final Rule on “[Immigrant] Registration Form and Evidence of Registration.” The rule expands and formalizes a registration process that could expose millions of immigrants—and potentially U.S. citizens—to increased fear, confusion, racial profiling, and immigration enforcement.
What You Need to Know Now About Public Charge
In this community explainer we will address some frequently asked questions on what this change means and who and when it applies.
US v. Lopez: Ninth Circuit Holds Cal. Pen. Code § 273.5 not a Crime of Violence
On July 28, 2026, the Ninth Circuit ruled that Cal. Pen. Code § 273.5 is not a crime of violence. This practice advisory discusses the reasoning of the decision and provides advice on next steps for removal defense practitioners and criminal defenders representing noncitizens.
ILRC Submits Comment Opposing Proposed Rule to Restrict Work Permits
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted a comment urging DHS to withdraw its proposed rule that would dramatically restrict access to employment authorization for many immigrants.
A Platform for Immigrant Justice and Building a New Way Forward
This new policy platform examines how the 1996 laws expanded detention, deportation, and family separation – and outlines a vision for a more just and humane future.
Annotated 287(g) MOAs
The 287(g) program authorizes local law enforcement to make an agreement with DHS to conduct certain immigration enforcement activities. Without 287(g), local police and sheriffs generally do not have any authority to enforce immigration laws. The Memorandum of Agreement for 287(g) describes how the program will work and what powers are delegated to the local agency. We have annotated these MOAs to explain what the agreements include and how the program works.
Guide to Filing Your First Habeas Corpus Petition: Central District of California
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the steps for filing your first petition for habeas corpus (immigration) in the Central District of California.
Ninth Circuit Rules on Due Diligence Standard for Equitable Tolling For Motions to Reopen
This analysis could be particularly helpful for clients from countries that previously did not accept individuals deported from the U.S., such as Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as those from former Soviet countries.
Supreme Court Holds LPRs with Pending Criminal Charges May Be Deemed Applicants for Admission When Re-Entering the United States: Blanche v. Lau
This advisory summarizes the majority and dissent’s opinions, and shares key takeaways and practice tips for criminal defenders and immigration practitioners in light of the decision.
ILRC Comment Opposing Interim Final Rule regarding Signatures for Immigration Benefit Requests
The comment explains that denying applications after they have already been accepted can result in the loss of filing fees, lengthy delays, and even permanent loss of immigration benefits when eligibility depends on the original filing date.
ILRC Comment Opposing Changes to N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions Form
On June 29, 2026, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted comments urging USCIS to withdraw its proposed revisions to Form N-648, the Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions used by naturalization applicants seeking a waiver of the English and civics requirements based on disability. ILRC commented that the proposed revisions unlawfully impose new eligibility standards that are not authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act, federal regulations, or USCIS's own Policy Manual.
ILRC Comment Opposing the Proposed Fee Increase for Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted comments opposing the Department of Homeland Security's proposed rule to increase the filing fee for Form I-246, the Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755. The comment provides that the proposed 387% fee increase is arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act because DHS fails to provide a reasoned justification for the increase or adequately consider its devastating impact on immigrants seeking protection from deportation.
Steps to Take if Your DACA Renewal Is Delayed
This guide outlines steps DACA renewal applicants can take if their renewal is delayed.
Living with Texas SB 4: An Unprecedented State Deportation Scheme
For more than two years, advocates have decried Texas SB 4 (2023), a law that creates new state offenses of illegal entry, reentry, and failure to comply with a state removal order. As of May 29, 2026, the law is fully in effect, bringing all Texans and those suspected of being undocumented under the permanent threat of immediate detention and deportation by the state, should they be suspected of violating the law. Texas SB 4 represents an unheard-of state usurpation of federal law, violating constitutional principles and norms that govern how states interact with the federal government. This
Denaturalization and Revocation of Naturalization
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are ramping up efforts to investigate U.S. citizens and pursue denaturalization cases. This could result in more denaturalization cases and loss of U.S. citizenship for naturalized citizens. Further, these efforts will have a chilling effect on the number of lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship. This Practice Advisory reviews the present state of denaturalization and revocation of citizenship. It thoroughly reviews the statutes and caselaw to date in denaturalization and revocation of citizenship
What You Should Know if You Were a Client of Former Immigration Attorney Alexandra Lozano
On Friday, May 26, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office released a notice for clients of former immigration attorney Alexandra Lozano. USCIS urges applicants represented by former attorney Alexandra Lozano, who marketed herself as “la milagrosa” (miracle worker), to update their mailing address and informs them that they can withdraw their application or petition by submittiOn Friday, May 26, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office released a notice for clients of former immigration attorney Alexandra Lozano. USCIS
Immigration Consequences of Prop 36 and Other New California Offenses Part Two: Property Crime Offenses
This advisory is part II of a two-part advisory on the federal immigration consequences of California Proposition 36 enacted in December 2024. Part I on Prop 36 and controlled substance offenses is found here.
New BIA Procedural Rules: What's in Effect and What's Not
This advisory seeks to clarify which provisions of the new BIA Procedural rules are currently in effect, and which are not.
ILRC Comment Opposing Proposed USCIS Change of Address Form
On June 24, 2026, the ILRC submitted a comment opposing proposed changes to the USCIS change of address Form AR-11.
ILRC Comment Opposing Fee Increase for Individuals Removed in Absentia
On June 22, 2026, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) submitted a comment opposing ICE’s proposed rule to increase the fee imposed on individuals ordered removed in absentia from $5,130 to $18,000.