Babila Law, LLCBabila Law, LLC2026-04-20T14:08:51Zhttps://www.babilalaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1504573/2025/06/cropped-Babila-Law-fav-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Babila Law, LLC<![CDATA[Government Shutdown Update: Immigration Court Non-Detained Dockets Are Continuing as Usual]]>https://www.babilalaw.com/?p=487642025-10-02T12:01:10Z2025-10-02T12:01:10ZImmigration court cases on the non-detained docket are continuing without interruption.
This is a significant departure from past shutdowns, where non-detained cases were often postponed. If you have a hearing scheduled on the non-detained docket, you should plan to attend as scheduled unless you receive a new notice of hearing from the court.
Non-detained docket: Hearings are moving forward as planned.
Detained docket: Continues as usual, as in past shutdowns.
If the court later decides to reschedule a non-detained case, respondents or their attorneys of record will receive a new notice of hearing.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Most services continue since USCIS is primarily fee-funded.
Some programs that rely on federal appropriations—like E-Verify—may be temporarily impacted, but routine applications and petitions are still being processed.
U.S. Department of State (DOS)
Visa and passport services typically continue since they are funded by fees, though individual consular posts could experience delays if funding at that location runs low.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Ports of entry remain open, and inspection of travelers continues.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Enforcement operations continue, with attorneys focusing on detained docket cases.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Certain labor-related processes, like PERM and LCA certifications, may pause until funding is restored.
Key Takeaways
Some employment-based immigration filings, particularly those requiring Department of Labor certification, could experience temporary delays.
If you have a court date for a non-detained case, assume it is still happening unless you receive official notice otherwise. Failure to appear in court could result in you being ordered removed in-absentia
For questions about individual circumstances, it is best to consult with a qualified immigration attorney.
This post is based on information provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) as of October 1, 2025. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
]]>On Behalf of Babila Law, LLC<![CDATA[Key Changes To Asylum And Work Permits Under 2025 OBBA]]>https://www.babilalaw.com/?p=487592025-09-30T17:44:13Z2025-09-30T17:44:13ZIf you are planning to seek asylum or apply for work authorization (EAD) based on a pending asylum case in the United States, significant changes have been implemented as of July 2025 under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBA). Understanding these new rules, fees and procedures is crucial to protect your rights and ensure a smooth application process. At [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"], we have been closely tracking these changes and guiding clients through the transition to help them stay compliant and avoid delays.
New Fees for Asylum Applications: What You Need To Know
For the first time in U.S. immigration history, asylum seekers are now required to pay a $100 application fee when submitting their asylum application, whether it’s through USCIS or in Immigration Court. This is a major shift from the previous system, where applying for asylum was free. Unfortunately, the rollout of this new fee has been anything but smooth. While initially, the Immigration Court (EOIR) had no working system to process the payment and applicants needed to file a special request asking the court to accept the application without payment, the Immigration Court (EOIR) recently announced applicants can pay the initial asylum application fee through the EOIR Payment Portal.
It’s also important to note that no fee waivers are available for this application fee. That means every applicant must pay the full amount, regardless of financial hardship. At [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"], we are closely monitoring these developments and are prepared to guide clients through the process.
Annual “Asylum Pending” Maintenance Fee
Another significant change under OBBA is the introduction of a $100 annual maintenance fee for anyone with a pending asylum. This fee applies regardless of the reason for the delay, including court backlogs, agency delays or other circumstances beyond your control.Even if you filed your application before OBBA was passed, you'll still be required to pay this fee if your case remains pending into the new fiscal year. "The government will issue personalized notices detailing the amount owed, payment deadlines, and online payment instructions. Until then, many applicants remain uncertain.Like the initial application fee, no waivers are available for this annual fee.
Work Permits For Asylum Seekers: Increased Costs And No Waivers
If you're applying for a work permit (EAD) based on a pending asylum case, OBBA has introduced significant changes. The initial EAD application now requires a $550 fee, a substantial increase from the previous system where first-time asylum EADs were free. This fee is mandatory and no waivers are available, even if you're facing financial hardship.Renewing or extending your EAD costs $795 by mail or $745 online, including both the OBBA surcharge and existing USCIS processing fees.
How Long Will A Work Permit Remain Valid?
It’s also important to understand how long your EAD remains valid. If your asylum application is denied by USCIS and not referred to an immigration judge, your work permit ends immediately. If an immigration judge denies your case, your EAD will expire 30 days later, unless you file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If the BIA denies your appeal, your EAD ends right away. And if you appeal to a federal court, you cannot renew your EAD during that process.
Need Help Navigating These Changes?
Consulting an experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate these complex changes effectively. At Babila Law, LLC, we stay ahead of immigration law updates so you don’t have to. If you’re unsure how OBBA affects your asylum or work permit application, scheduling a consultation with a knowledgeable immigration attorney can answer your questions about your case and put your mind at ease.From our office in Prince George's County, our firm helps clients with immigration matters in Bowie, Hyattsville, Silver Spring and throughout Maryland and the entire East Coast.]]>On Behalf of Babila Law, LLC<![CDATA[President Donald Trump and immigration: positive changes]]>https://www.babilalaw.com/?p=487552025-09-30T15:17:51Z2025-09-30T15:16:14ZFaster USCIS Processing
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported that many applications are moving more quickly than in previous years. Naturalization cases, for example, saw their median processing time drop from about 10.5 months in fiscal year 2022 to roughly 6.1 months in fiscal year 2023. Many applicants are continuing to experience sub-year timelines in 2025, depending on their local field office.
Family-based adjustment of status applications are now often completed in approximately eight to ten months at the field-office stage, although local workloads and visa availability can still influence the outcome. For immediate-relative I-130 petitions filed by U.S. citizens, the average timeline generally ranges from eight to fourteen months and can be shorter when the adjustment of status is filed at the same time.
These improvements have brought welcome relief to families who have endured long waits in the past. Shorter processing times have allowed loved ones to reunite more quickly and have helped reduce the stress and uncertainty that so many of our clients at Babila Law, LLC have experienced in prior years.
Visa Backlog Advances
The Department of State’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects meaningful progress in both family- and employment-based green card categories. Several family-sponsored categories moved ahead by several months, reducing the wait time for thousands of applicants. For example, the F-2B category for Mexico and the F-1 category for Mexico both advanced noticeably, while the F-2A category worldwide saw forward movement as well.
Employment-based categories also showed significant gains. EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories for India and China advanced anywhere from six months to more than two years, depending on the specific preference and country of chargeability.
These forward movements in priority dates mean that many families and workers who have been waiting for years are now closer to becoming eligible to apply for or receive their green cards. For applicants long caught in backlogs, this shift represents a welcome step toward greater predictability and shorter paths to permanent residency.
Premium Processing Expansion
In 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) broadened access to its Premium Processing service, giving applicants more ways to shorten processing times for certain immigration benefits. The expansion included student work permits such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions and select visa-extension or change-of-status applications filed on Form I-539. Eligible cases in these categories can now be processed in about 30 days once a premium request is accepted.
USCIS also extended Premium Processing to additional employment-based green-card petitions, including EB-1C petitions for multinational managers and executives and National Interest Waiver (NIW) cases. These employment-based petitions are generally processed in about 45 days under the premium service.
This broader availability of Premium Processing offers welcome flexibility for employers seeking timely work-authorization decisions and for immigrants who need faster resolution of their cases, helping them move forward with less delay and uncertainty.
Asylee Family Reunification
Another area where the current administration has made a positive impact is the processing of follow-to-join petitions for the spouses and children of individuals who were granted asylum in the United States. According to USCIS data, the median national processing time for follow-to-join petitions was about 15.3 months in 2020 and is currently reported at 10.8 months in 2025.
While the nationwide figure shows a modest uptick from 2024, Babila Law, LLC has seen many of our clients’ I-730 petitions approved in as little as four months. We believe this reflects both the administration’s ongoing commitment to keeping these cases moving and the comprehensive documentation we submit at the outset to avoid delays.
Tips to work through the immigration system
While immigration policy remains complex and often contentious, the improvements noted above can provide reassurance to those who are working their way through the often-challenging path of immigration. At Babila Law, LLC, we remain committed to helping clients navigate these opportunities and build a more secure future in the United States. We closely monitor developments in immigration policy and use this knowledge to help clients make the most of favorable changes.
If you are pursuing a green card, naturalization, work permit, or family reunification, an experienced immigration lawyer can help guide you through the process.]]>