This post contains links shared and resources referenced during the April 22, 2026 Legal Working Group call. Consider joining our calls to benefit from the live discussion and context within which these resources were shared. 

Resources shared & referenced

• T BFDs
  • CAST FAQ
• T derivatives
  • USCIS Policy Manual
    • Section on travel
    • Section on considerations for family members (addresses T derivative eligibility for admission)
  • CAST advisory, T Derivatives and Age-Out Protections (2025)
• T adjustment
  • USCIS Handbook for Employers, 7.8 T and U Nonimmigrant Status (discusses employment authorization pursuant to extension of status based on timely filed I-485)
  • USCIS Policy Manual section on discretionary analysis (and reference to outstanding orders of removal)
  • USCIS jurisdiction over T adjustment
    • 8 CFR § 245.23(d)
    • Preamble to 2024 Final Rule at 34867
  • CAST T AOS checklist (2025)

AILA Call for Examples: USCIS RFEs, NOIDs, NOIRs, and denials involving USCIS’ Adjudication of Discretionary Benefits

Upcoming trainings, panels, & conferences

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center Immigration Briefings: Jan to June 2026.

Important Legal Working Group updates - starting February 4, 2026!

We're restructuring our Legal Working Group calls to enhance our technical assistance and ensure everyone gets the most out of these sessions.

New monthly call structure:

• 1st Wednesday: Trafficking analysis questions only
• 3rd Wednesday: Trauma-informed/non-legal topics only
• All other calls: General legal questions

Requirements to submit a trafficking analysis question for a 1st Wednesday call:

• You must have completed Human Trafficking Defined (including passing the quiz) OR an EMP Analysis Workshop. This ensures everyone has the foundational framework for us to effectively walk through the analysis. Any legal practitioner is welcome to attend and listen to the analysis during a 1st Wednesday call, however!
• If you've completed an EMP worksheet for the case, we'll prioritize your question when we receive multiple submissions.

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