The Globe

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Section on International & Immigration Law

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2026 Articles

2025 Joint Midyear Meeting Photos February 2026 The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin February 2026 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Chair’s Column By Natalia Curto February 2026 A note from the Chair of the International and Immigration Law Section Council, reflecting on current events. 
CLE Opportunities! February 2026 Don't miss upcoming CLE programming hosted by the International and Immigration Law Section!
Correct Analysis Regarding “Particular Social Group” in Asylum Claims By Ralph E. Guderian April 2026 To be granted asylum in the United States, a person must demonstrate that he or she is a “refugee,” that he or she is not barred from asylum for any of the reasons listed in U.S. immigration laws, and that the decision-maker should grant asylum as a matter of discretion. However, case law has infused certain flaws into the analysis that must be addressed and corrected.
Cybersecurity in the International Maritime Industry: Threats, Risks, and the Expanding Scope of Seaworthiness By H. Vincent Draa April 2026 The maritime industry is now one of the world’s most heavily targeted critical sectors. Digital transformation—though essential—has opened new avenues for malicious actors ranging from sophisticated APT groups to ransomware syndicates and cyber‑enabled pirates. Recent legal scholarship and regulatory changes confirm that cybersecurity has become inseparable from the doctrine of seaworthiness. Failure to address foreseeable cyber risks can give rise to contractual liability, regulatory sanctions, and operational failures.
Does Iran Possess the Right to Close the Strait of Hormuz Under International Law? By Mohammad Yousef May 2026 In the aftermath of the American-Israeli aggression with Iran, one of the most important issues may be Iran’s partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels and oil tankers belonging to the United States, Israel, or their allies. In practice, the Strait has historically remained open to most commercial traffic despite Iranian threats. While the U.S. believes that Iran lacks a clear legal right to close the Strait, the non-ratification of UNCLOS, its status as a “persistent objector” to transit passage, and the customary nature of the 1958 Convention as universally accepted provisions, give Iran some room to contest the rules.
Illinois Bivens Act: Can States Authorize Suits Against Federal Officers? By Cindy G. Buys May 2026 In December 2025, Illinois adopted HB1312, also known as the Illinois Bivens Act. This new law creates a state law private cause of action against “any person who, while conducting civil immigration enforcement, knowingly engages in conduct that violates the Illinois Constitution or the U.S. Constitution.”
ISBA General Assembly Adopts Resolutions To Protect Noncitizens’ Constitutional Rights By Cindy G. Buys February 2026 At the ISBA Midyear Meeting in December 2025, the International and Immigration Law Section Council sponsored, and the General Assembly adopted, a resolution in support of certain actions taken by the American Bar Association (ABA) to protect the constitutional rights of noncitizens in the United States.
Part I: An Eye for an Eye—Religion and Law Combined—Saudi Arabia By Ralph E. Guderian February 2026 Part I of this article provides an analysis of the historical influence of Saudi Arabia, Islam, and the Saudi ruling royal family. 
Philip N. Hablutzel, 1935-2026 April 2026 In memory of Philip N. Hablutzel, a dedicated husband, father, and attorney who served in various capacities throughout his life. 
“Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving” Bill Before the United States House of Representatives By Jesse J. Solis May 2026 U.S. House Republicans introduced a bill to include certain drunk driving offenses in the Immigration and Nationality Act’s definition of an “aggravated felony.”
Superman, Palestine, Truth, Justice & the American Way: A Call to Humanity, Democracy & Rule of Law From the Man of Steel By Michael Alkaraki February 2026 This article analyzes the parallels that exist between the 2025 Superman movie and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
The Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision on the Standard of Review for Removal Orders By Jesse J. Solis April 2026 The Urias-Orellana et al. v. Bondi, Attorney General case held that the First Circuit applied the correct standard of review when reviewing the Board of Immigration Appeals’ determination for substantial evidence regarding persecution.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025 By John Rottier February 2026 Changes to the U.S. naturalization process took effect on October 20, 2025, including new civic test, stricter rules for exemptions, re-introducing neighborhood investigations, revised moral character standard, and more. 
Visa Processing Paused for 75 Countries: What Immigrant Visa Applicants Need To Know By John Rottier February 2026 On January 14, 2026, the Trump Administration announced a significant change to U.S. immigrant visa processing. Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 designated countries, based on a new policy that creates a presumption of public charge inadmissibility for individuals applying with passports from the affected countries.
When Taking the Human Factor Into Consideration Maybe Amnesty Should Be Granted as It Was in 1986 By Ralph E. Guderian May 2026 With increasing immigration conflict across the U.S., it is important to consider the human element in amnesty determinations. Individuals seeking asylum are already here and making them wait years for their case to be heard because of the backlog does not seem right. Further, if they have a realistic hope for asylum, to make them also suffer “cognitive dissonance”—sadness, decreased satisfaction, and intense disappointment—when their case is denied does not seem right.
Women at the Center: Community Responses to Federal Immigration Activity in Chicago and the Surrounding Suburbs By Kat Delgado April 2026 Over the past several months, many Chicagoland residents have observed an increased federal presence in the city and surrounding suburbs. These temporary operations, largely related to immigration enforcement, have been visible and disruptive and have prompted widespread community responses. For women living in Illinois and practicing law, these events do not exist in an abstract or theoretical space, but rather intersect directly with the lived realities of local families and with the legal systems designed to protect them.