The Immigration Lawyers Podcast | Discussing Visas, Green Cards & Citizenship: Practice & Policy

Attorney John Q. Khosravi, Esq. is back with episode 479 of the Immigration Lawyers Toolbox Podcast, fresh off the AILA Annual Conference 2026 in San Diego. In this episode, John covers the latest developments shaking up immigration practice including the 39 Country Pause and ongoing USCIS case delays, the May 22 2026 USCIS memo on Adjustment of Status and what discretion factors are showing up in RFEs, U.S. embassy shutdowns across Africa, Treasury red flags tied to ITIN holders and undocumented clients, mass master hearings in immigration court, VAWA travel risks on Advance Parole, I-864W waiver updates, and key takeaways from the AILA CBP liaison meeting (AILA Doc No. 26060403). Whether you are navigating a tough AOS case or trying to stay ahead of policy changes, this episode gives you the practical insights you need.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:33 Intro

04:18 What went down at AC26 San Diego

05:40 Cost of going to AILA conferences

08:30 39-country pause

10:14 May 22, 2026 USCIS Memo Adjustment of Status

13:58 Exceptions

15:48 Shutdowns of U.S. embassies in Africa

16:43 domestic violence survivors temporarily suspended a Trump administration policy

17:35 Always use capitalized letters when filling out USCIS software

18:44 Be careful when sending data on USCIS software

19:19 Treasury warns banks of red flags tied to customers in the US illegally

20:23 mass master hearings in immigration court

20:51 Intent of marriage while asylum pending

22:25 VAWA traveling on AP advanced Parole

23:13 Form I-864 Updates

25:10 AILA CBP Talk AILA Doc number 26060403.

28:45 Why reading AILA Doc meetings are important for your practice

29:07 Outro

30:41 Closing

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Show Notes: eimmigration Website: get.eimmigration.com Heroes Spotlight nomination page: heroes.eimmigration.com Deadline for nomination: September 25

Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

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• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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John sits down with Trinity Burton, Head of Marketing and Communications at eImmigration by Cerenade, to talk about the newly launched Hero Spotlight Program, a community-driven initiative to recognize the paralegals who keep immigration law firms running. Trinity shares the inspiration behind the program, how nominations and voting work, and why this kind of recognition matters for retention and firm culture. Nominations are open through September 25th at heroes.eimmigration.com, or visit the Kurzban Heroes Corner at AILA AC26 in San Diego to nominate in person.

Show Notes:

eimmigration Website: get.eimmigration.com

Heroes Spotlight nomination page: heroes.eimmigration.com

Deadline for nomination: September 25 Spotify | iTunes | YouTube Music | YouTube

Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

• Get the Toolbox Magazine!

• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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What does it really take to run an immigration law firm when every side of the practice is under pressure? In this episode, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. welcomes back returning guest Joseph Tsang, Esq. for a candid conversation about the state of immigration law practice today. Joseph shares what it was like attending the AILA National Day of Action on Capitol Hill, how his firm is navigating rising costs and fierce competition in both family and business immigration, and why AI has become embedded in every level of his team's work. From office design to paralegal performance, Joseph breaks down how he is pushing his staff to use AI to perform well beyond their job titles.

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

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• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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What do immigration attorneys need to know about the biggest legal developments this month? In this episode, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. sits down with monthly returning guest Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. for their latest immigration law roundup. Kevin breaks down the wave of circuit court decisions pushing back on mandatory detention, the adjustment of status memo fallout, the Haitian TPS case at the Supreme Court, and key Ninth Circuit rulings on consular non-reviewability and I-130 denials. Sharp legal analysis and real passion for the people behind the cases, every single month.

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

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• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

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How should immigration law firms think about pricing in today's volatile and competitive landscape? In this episode, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. welcomes back returning guest Per Sjofors, also known as The Price Whisperer, for their first conversation since 2020. Per breaks down the three biggest developments in pricing since they last spoke, including the rise and failure of dynamic pricing, the flawed theory of economic value pricing, and the growing controversy around surveillance pricing. He and John also get into the psychology behind raising your rates, why posting prices on your website can attract the wrong clients, and what attorneys should consider before offering money back guarantees. A practical and eye opening conversation for any law firm owner thinking seriously about the business side of their practice. Per Sjöfors first joined us in Episode 129, where he introduced his pricing philosophy as "The Price Whisperer."

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

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• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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What should immigration attorneys know about the rising tide of wrongful EB-1A denials and how to fight back? In this episode, John welcomes first-time guest Sharon Lieberman, Esq. of The Lieberman Law Firm, who also contributed to Issue 11 of the Immigration Lawyers Toolbox Magazine. Sharon breaks down the most egregious misapplications of the law she has seen in recent AAO decisions, shares her approach to crafting winning EB-1A petitions, and offers a candid take on why litigation may now be worth considering over simply refiling a denied case. She also weighs in on AI in legal practice, money-back guarantees, and why the quality of your attorney still matters more than ever.

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

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• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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What does it take to build a thriving immigration law firm in today's fast-evolving landscape? In this episode, John sits down with returning guest Ruby to explore the real operational challenges immigration attorneys face, from AI-powered intake systems and team training culture to law firm scaling strategies. They also reflect on a powerful keynote by Amanda Knox at the NeoSummit conference and what her experience as a wrongfully detained individual means for those who work in immigration law every day. Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a growing firm, this conversation is packed with honest, practical insight.

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

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• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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What should immigration lawyers be paying attention to right now? In this monthly Immigration Lawyers Toolbox episode, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. breaks down major developments impacting immigration practice, including AI law firms, USCIS filing risks, travel ban updates, marriage fraud findings, and common F-1/OPT mistakes. John also shares practical thoughts on building a profitable, client-focused immigration law firm in the AI era.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:33 Intro

02:55 Manifest Law's $60M Raise & the Future of AI Immigration Firms

05:57 Should Immigration Lawyers Post Prices or Guarantees Online?

08:51 Hanan v. USCIS & Marriage Fraud Findings Without a Filing

10:46 Missed Misrepresentation Issues in Marriage Green Card Cases

11:32 Transferring an H-1B Conrad Waiver to a New Employer

12:06 Why Immigration Lawyers Must Understand 8 CFR 214.2 & OPT Rules

14:12 USCIS Approvals Still Moving Forward for Travel Ban Countries

15:47 USCIS Reaffirms Strict Signature Requirements for Paper Filings

16:50 How Internet Problems Can Disrupt an Immigration Law Practice

18:12 Outro

18:37 Closing

Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

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• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

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How can immigration lawyers stay ahead of rapidly changing immigration court decisions and detention policies? In this monthly Immigration Lawyers Toolbox discussion, John welcomes recurring guest Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. to break down major recent cases involving mandatory detention, marriage fraud findings, asylum-related risks, motions to reopen, and anti-gang asylum claims. They also discuss circuit splits, BIA decisions, Supreme Court implications, and the real-world impact these rulings have on immigration practitioners and their clients.

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

• Get the Toolbox Magazine!

• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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How can immigration lawyers build a more flexible, profitable, and AI-ready practice? In Episode #471 of the Immigration Lawyers Toolbox Podcast, John sits down with recurring guest Roman Zelichenko, JD, to discuss global mobility conferences, LinkedIn algorithm changes, AI-driven client referrals, remote immigration law practice, and the benefits of specializing in a niche practice area. They also share practical insights on legal marketing, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and how immigration attorneys can create more freedom while growing a modern law firm.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:33 Intro

05:11 Roman Returns from Europe Trip

06:07 European Relocation Conference & Global Mobility

09:36 AILA GMS Conference in Krakow

12:20 Referral Networks & International Connections

13:09 Getting Stuck in Poland During the War

15:00 Creating a Remote Immigration Practice

21:33 The Power of Niching Down in Immigration Law

22:23 Building a Marriage-Based Immigration Practice

24:41 Repeat Clients, Referrals & Revenue Growth

26:09 ILT Community Announcement

26:53 AI Referrals, GEO & Marketing Trends

30:01 Boundaries, Premium Pricing & Better Client Service

33:03 Limiting Clients & Maintaining Quality Service

35:12 Warren Buffett vs. Busy Calendars Mindset

50:28 Closing

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Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED):

• E-2 Course

• EB-1A Course

• Get the Toolbox Magazine!

• Join our community (Lawyers Only)

• Get Started in Immigration Law! The Marriage/Family-Based Green Card course is for you

Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

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