State Dept.Visa Bulletin
23 developments this week, newest first.
Sunday, November 1
Friday, October 30
BIAPrecedent decision
Removal defense
Matter of Pierre-Louis
30 I&N Dec. 212
The Board generally will not exercise its discretion to reopen proceedings sua sponte for an arriving alien to pursue adjustment of status before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Matter of Yauri, 25 I&N Dec. 103 (BIA 2009), followed.
Headnote
9th Cir.Published opinion
9th Cir.Published opinion
5th Cir.Published opinion
9th Cir.Published opinion
USA v. State of California, et al.
No. 26-7231
We deny the United States’s motion because the United States has failed to meet its burden in showing that an injunction pending appeal is warranted.
From the opinion
D. Md.District court
Detention and enforcement
The Door v. Joseph B. Edlow
No. 8:26-cv-04326
Court granted TRO and APA stay restoring child-asylum interview safeguards
Federal RegisterNotice
Family and citizenship
Suspension of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP)
91 FR 67595
This notice announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to suspend the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP). EVS-TAP allows prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to travel to the CNMI without a visa for temporary visits under specified conditions. Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, the Secretary has broad authority to suspend the program for good cause, including threats to national security, law enforcement interests, and immigration enforcement. The Secretary has determined that there is good cause to suspend EVS-TAP, while DHS, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior, evaluates the program.
Suspension of the CNMI EVS-TAP is effective at 1400 EDT on October 30, 2026.
From the document
Thursday, October 29
9th Cir.Published opinion
Red Eagle Law, LC v. Rubio
No. 26-6943
We do not endorse the Department’s failure to open the lottery registration period. Nevertheless, Red Eagle has not shown a likelihood of success on the merits because it is not within the zone of interests of the statute and does not have a cause of action. The emergency motion for a stay pending appeal is GRANTED.
From the opinion
1st Cir.Published opinion
Greater Boston Legal Services v. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Security
No. 25-1799
After our own review, we conclude that Appellants lack Article III standing to challenge the Nondisclosure Policy. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment for the government, albeit on different grounds.
From the opinion
State Dept.Press release
Taking Action Against Caravan Organizers Facilitating Illegal Immigration to the United States
The Trump Administration will not tolerate actions that undermine the national security or immigration laws of the United States and is resolute in protecting the integrity of U.S. borders, disrupting smuggling networks, and promoting accountability for those who seek to profit from illegal immigration. That is why the Department of State previously announced a policy to restrict visas to foreign government officials and others who are believed to be responsible for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to our nation.
From the notice
USCISNews alert
Family and citizenship
Under President Trump’s Leadership, USCIS Takes Unprecedented 2.2 Million Enforcement Actions Protecting Americans Across the Nation
Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is delivering on the Administration’s agenda and putting the American people first.
From the notice
Wednesday, October 28
11th Cir.Court of appeals
Detention and enforcement
Yoel Pitaluga Nunez and Dayami Roldan Cruz v. Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Miami Field Office
No. 25-13646
Eleventh Circuit dismissed detention appeal as moot and affirmed expedited-removal dismissal
Federal RegisterNotice
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
91 FR 61234
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is modifying an existing system of records maintained by the Office of Ref
From the document
Tuesday, October 27
Supreme CourtStay denied
City of Baltimore, Maryland, et al. v. Texas, et al.
No. 26A500
Application (26A500) for stay presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied.
Docket entry, Oct. 27, 2026
BIAPrecedent decision
Family and citizenship
Matter of Mercader
30 I&N Dec. 185
A conviction for assault and battery in the second degree under section 16-3-600(D)(1) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, which requires a reckless mental state and the actual or attempted infliction of “moderate bodily injury,” is categorically for a crime involving moral turpitude.
Headnote
6th Cir.Published opinion
Asylum, refugees and TPS
Bayron Jose Castro-Fuentes v. Todd Blanche
No. 25-3407
Bayron Jose Castro-Fuentes petitions for review of an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) order affirming an asylum officer’s negative reasonable-fear determination. But Castro-Fuentes has not challenged his final order of removal. Because our jurisdiction is statutorily limited to final orders of removal, we lack jurisdiction to hear Castro-Fuentes’s petition.
From the opinion
EOIRPolicy memo
Monday, October 26
BIAPrecedent decision
Removal defense
Matter of Ozuna Mendoza
30 I&N Dec. 177
(1) The Immigration Judge clearly erred in finding the respondent credible when she gave inconsistent, nonresponsive, evasive, and the approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamines secreted throughout her vehicle and $8,000 in cash she possessed. testimony about implausible
(2) The Department of Homeland Security demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that there is reason to believe the respondent was a knowing participant in illicit drug trafficking.
Headnotes
10th Cir.Published opinion
Removal defense
Vizguerra-Ramirez v. Blanche
No. 25-9559
Whether or not § 1252(b)(1) is subject to equitable tolling, Ms. Vizguerra cannot show that her failure to timely file a petition for review in 2013 was caused by an extraordinary circumstance beyond her control.
From the opinion
W.D. Pa.District court
Detention and enforcement
Nain Vasquez Gonzalez v. Leonard Oddo
No. 3:25-cv-00424
Court held three federal officials in civil contempt and awarded reasonable fees and costs
Federal RegisterNotice
Detention and enforcement
Ratification of Civil Penalties
91 FR 67325
The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), through the Secretary of Homeland Security, ratifies all final civil penalties that had been assessed in accordance with interim regulations. These interim regulations were later adopted as final with only slight modification so retained substantially the same procedures by which the civil penalties are assessed. This notification ratifies all civil penalties assessed in accordance with the interim regulations prior to the final adoption.
This ratification is issued on October 26, 2026 and relates back to the original date of each civil penalty assessed in accordance with the interim regulations. All claims submitted pursuant to this notice must be received by ICE on or before November 16, 2026.
From the document
USCISNews alert
Asylum, refugees and TPS
Litigation-Related Update: Sileiri Doe Class Members May Request Reopening or Reconsideration of an Adverse Decision Without a Fee
On Sept. 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order requiring DHS to remediate certain adverse consequences for the class of aliens paroled into the United States after scheduling an appointment through the CBP One mobile app, and whose parole was terminated by the federal government via mass email in April 2025. Sileiri Doe v. DHS, 1:25-cv-12245-ADB (D. Mass).
From the notice