September 2026 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates and What May Happen in October
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin brings important movement—and important warnings—for family-based and employment-based green card applicants. Some categories advanced during the fiscal year, but visa numbers may still become unavailable if annual or country limits are reached. DV-2026 applicants face an especially urgent deadline because eligibility ends on September 30, 2026.
The article also explains what applicants should watch for in the October Visa Bulletin, including the possibility that some unavailable categories may reopen as the new fiscal year begins, while heavily backlogged categories may continue to experience limited movement.
Read more about September Visa Bulletin Updates and October 2026 Predictions
Asylum in Immigration Court: How to Win Your Case in 2026
An asylum case in Immigration Court requires much more than showing that conditions in a person’s home country are dangerous. Applicants generally must present a legally sufficient claim, complete Form I-589 carefully, provide credible testimony, and support the case with corroborating evidence and country conditions information.
The article also explains why the written asylum application has become especially important. In Matter of C-A-R-R-, the BIA confirmed that an incomplete Form I-589 may be treated as waived or abandoned in some circumstances, while also holding that a missing declaration alone does not automatically make the application incomplete. EOIR also lists PM 25-28 on pretermission of legally insufficient asylum applications.
Read more about Winning an Asylum Case in Immigration Court
Trump’s New 2026 Executive Orders on Birthright Citizenship and Birth Tourism: Who Could Be Affected?
On August 6, 2026, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders addressing birthright citizenship and what the administration calls “birth tourism.” One directs federal agencies not to recognize citizenship in certain specified circumstances when neither parent is a U.S. citizen; the other gives the Departments of State and Homeland Security authority to take measures aimed at preventing travel to the United States on nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of giving birth.
Importantly, the orders do not state that every child born in the United States to two non-U.S.-citizen parents automatically loses birthright citizenship. The article explains the specific categories identified in the orders, potential visa and entry consequences, and why a person’s circumstances—including immigration status, employment, intent, and representations to U.S. officials—may matter.
Read more about Birthright Citizenship, Birth Tourism, and the New Executive Orders
SUCCESS STORIES
Real Results in Complex Immigration Cases
At the Law Office of Alena Shautsova, we help clients navigate difficult immigration matters through careful legal analysis, strategic advocacy, and personalized representation. Here are two examples of recent case outcomes.
Nonimmigrant Visa Approved After Prior Denial
A family came to our office seeking help after their adult son’s previous nonimmigrant visa application had been denied. Our firm carefully reviewed the case and prepared evidence demonstrating his strong ties to his home country, including his education, employment, personal relationships, community involvement, and property.
With a more complete and carefully documented application, the U.S. Consulate issued a favorable decision on his new visa application, allowing him to travel to the United States for an important family event.
Emergency Advance Parole Approved for TPS Holder Stranded Abroad
A TPS holder traveled abroad for an urgent family matter without realizing that his Advance Parole document had expired. Without valid travel authorization, he could not return to the United States with his young U.S.-citizen son.
Our office quickly assembled evidence of the urgent circumstances and submitted expedited requests to the appropriate immigration authorities. An expedited biometrics appointment was scheduled, and the client subsequently received his Advance Parole document and was able to return to the United States with his family.
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ASYLUM LIBRARY
Navigating the U.S. asylum process can be complicated. Our Asylum Library provides access to legal resources, case information, and materials that can help readers better understand important asylum issues and developments. The library is also linked from the firm’s main Asylum resources page.
COUNTRY CONDITIONS LIBRARY
Country conditions evidence can play an important role in asylum and other humanitarian immigration cases. Our Country Conditions Library includes articles and resources addressing political persecution, religious freedom, violence, discrimination, and other human-rights issues in countries around the world.
Explore the Country Conditions Library →
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