HHS has issued a direct final rule rescinding outdated provisions of 45 CFR part 402 to streamline refugee-related grant regulations. The change primarily affects state agencies and resettlement program administrators, with no direct impact on individual immigration filings.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled in Urias-Orellana v. Bondi that federal appellate courts must apply the deferential substantial-evidence standard when reviewing agency determinations of asylum persecution. This landmark ruling severely restricts judicial oversight, making robust evidentiary preparation at the immigration court level absolutely critical.
Detaining refugees without Green Cards has moved from a rarely used option to a central enforcement mechanism in a new joint memorandum from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) dated February 18, 2026. Read our article where we explain the scope and authority of the memo, highlight the key changes and affected groups, and discuss practical implications for individuals, employers, and compliance with immigration law.
