Application Process and Eligibility Requirements
If you don't already have an AILA account, you will need to create one. When confirming your email address, select "Prospective Applicant" and complete the online application.
Types of Membership and Affiliations
There are five types of AILA memberships: regular, nonprofit, senior, retired, and law student. Additionally, attorneys residing and practicing outside the United States who are otherwise ineligible for membership may apply for international associate status. Paralegals of AILA members are also eligible to gain access to many AILA research tools and educational opportunities. Expand the sections below to learn more about eligibility requirements and dues.
Regular Members
Visit the Member Benefits page to learn more about the valuable services and resources that AILA members can access.
To apply, create an AILA.org account and select "Prospective Applicant" in the "Person Type" field. You will then be able to complete the member application. If you already have an AILA.org account, you can apply or renew online.
Eligibility
In accordance with AILA bylaws, any attorney, excepting a person in the employ of the government of the United States (but for attorneys in the employ of the Office of the Federal Public Defender, such as federal public defenders, community defender organizations, or federal court-appointed private counsel) is eligible to be a Member of this Association if such attorney:
- at the time of application, is in good standing with, and for three years immediately preceding application has not been suspended or disbarred by, any court, mandatory bar association, administrative agency, or other disciplinary authority;
- is licensed to practice law and is a member in good standing of the bar of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or, on June 14, 2007, was an active, approved member of the association and who thereafter has maintained that membership and eligibility for it under these by-laws without interruption; or
- is employed full-time as a law professor at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and is eligible for full membership in the American Bar Association but is not admitted to practice in any state or the District of Columbia and
- if engaged in the practice of law, is so engaged in compliance with the law applicable in every place where the attorney maintains an office for the practice of law.
Review and Admission
Once the AILA National Office receives a completed application and payment, the applicant's eligibility is determined, and the individual's name will be entered onto a roster of Pending members. National Office review normally takes between two and four weeks, and Pending applicants are notified by the National Office. If the application is deemed ineligible for membership, dues are fully refunded. Pending applicant information is forwarded to the local chapter, which has 90 days to raise an objection to any applicant. If no objection is raised after 90 days the applicant is accepted as an Approved Member of AILA. If the local chapter raises an objection, the applicant will be notified, and his/her information will be forwarded to the Membership Committee for further review.
Dues
Regular national dues are determined by your original AILA join date and must be paid annually.
- Members 15+ years: $643.00
- Members 10-14 years: $621.00
- Members 8-9 years: $599.00
- Members 6-7 years: $535.00
- Members 4-5 years: $481.00
- Members 2-3 years: $351.00
- 1st year of membership: $216.00
Chapter dues, which are also required, range from $25 to $100 and are determined by your geographical location of practice.
Payments
Online payment for your dues can be made using a credit/debit card. The use of a payment plan is available to regular members who wish to have their dues payment spread throughout the year. The payment plan can be requested during checkout and will split your dues into four payments, taken at intervals of 90 days. Please note that there is a one-time processing fee of $15 applied to the first payment. The remaining three payments will only be one-fourth of the total.
Nonprofit Members
Visit the Member Benefits page to learn more about the valuable services and resources that AILA members can access.
To apply, create an AILA.org account and select "Prospective Applicant" in the "Person Type" field. You will then be able to complete the member application. If you already have an AILA.org account, you can apply or renew online.
Eligibility
If you are employed by a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization that provides free or low-cost legal services to immigrants and you earn less than $84,000 annually, you may be eligible for the reduced AILA National dues rate of $162. The organization must be the attorney's only source of income. All nonprofit members must provide proof of eligibility upon application and renewal and also meet all regular member eligibility requirements.
If you qualify, you must submit a letter from your organization attesting to:
- The organization's 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- The organization's mission to provide free or low-cost legal services to the immigrant community
- That you are a full-time employee with the organization and that your salary does not exceed $84,000 annually
Omission of the above information will delay the process of your application.
Nonprofit members are required to submit proof of their continuing nonprofit membership eligibility each year.
Dues
Nonprofit member dues are $162.00 annually.
Payments
Online payment for your dues can be made using a credit/debit card. Nonprofit members are not eligible for payment plans.
Senior Members
To apply for senior membership, please contact membership@aila.org.
Eligibility
Persons who have been AILA members for at least 25 years and who have reached the age of 65 are entitled, upon request, to be senior members.
Dues
Senior member dues are $322.00 annually.
Chapter dues, which are also required, range from $25 to $100 and are determined by your geographical location of practice.
Payments
Online payment for your dues can be made using a credit/debit card. The use of a payment plan is available to regular members who wish to have their dues payment spread throughout the year. The payment plan can be requested during checkout and will split your dues into four payments, taken at intervals of 90 days. Please note that there is a one-time processing fee of $15 applied to the first payment. The remaining three payments will only be one-fourth of the total.
Retired Members
Visit the Member Benefits page to learn more about the valuable services and resources that AILA members can access.
To apply, create an AILA.org account and select "Prospective Applicant" in the "Person Type" field. You will then be able to complete the member application. If you already have an AILA.org account, you can apply or renew online.
Eligibility
Current AILA members who are retiring from the practice of law may request the retired membership category and rate. An individual's state bar license must be completely retired at the time of request and membership renewal.
Dues
Retired member dues are $54.00 annually.
Payments
Online payment for your dues can be made using a credit/debit card. Retired members are not eligible for payment plans.
Law Student Members
Download our law student membership brochure to learn more about the resources and services law student members can access.
To apply, create an AILA.org account and select "Prospective Applicant" in the "Person Type" field. You will then be able to complete the law student membership application. If you already have an AILA.org account, you can apply online for law student membership.
Eligibility
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Law student membership is open to full-time law students who attend an accredited law school. Accreditation must come from the ABA, State Supreme Court, or like body.
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Applicants must provide proof of their current student status with a full course of study in a law program at an accredited institution (e.g., unofficial transcript, current class schedule, or a letter from your registrar’s office) with the application.
- Once an application is received, the processing time can take up to two weeks.
Dues
Law student membership is free.
International Associates
Explore the benefits of becoming an international associate.
To apply, create an AILA.org account and select "Prospective Applicant" in the "Person Type" field. You will then be able to complete the international associate application. If you already have an AILA.org account, you can apply or renew online.
Eligibility
- Persons residing and practicing outside the United States who are otherwise ineligible for membership in the Association may apply for International Associate status.
- Applicants must prove their eligibility to become an International Associate of the association by submitting a certificate of good standing of the attorney licensing body of the country in which they reside and practice.
- International Associates shall also sign a renewal eligibility attestation each year.
- Once the AILA National Office receives a completed application and payment, the applicant's eligibility is determined, their name will be entered onto a roster of International Associates. The National Office notifies International Associate applicants of acceptance, usually within 30 days of receipt of application. If the application is not approved, dues are fully refunded.
- According to AILA bylaws, eligible individuals include, any attorney, at the time of application is in good standing with, and for three years immediately preceding application has not been suspended or disbarred by, any court, mandatory bar association, administrative agency, or other disciplinary authority; is licensed to practice law and is a member in good standing of the bar of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and, if engaged in the practice of law, is so engaged in compliance with the law applicable in every place where the attorney maintains an office for the practice of law.
Dues
International associate dues are $595.00 annually.
Paralegals and Support Staff
Eligibility
Paralegals and other support staff who work for AILA member attorneys are eligible to create an account on AILA.org to gain access to selected resources. When the paralegal creates their account, they will be asked to indicate the name of the AILA member they work for. The AILA member will receive an email to verify the paralegal's account. Access is good for one year, then must be renewed each year thereafter. Paralegals and support staff of non-member attorneys are not eligible for an AILA paralegal account.
Paralegal Access
With a registered account, AILA member paralegals gain access to:
- AILA's Website
Registered staff of AILA member attorneys have special searchable access to AILA.org resources, including the most up-to-date immigration news and information, government correspondence, and the latest on AILA activities, products, services, and events. - Message Center
The Message Center provides an avenue to ask questions and engage with your peers, AILA members, and other support staff. NOTE: Support staff are required to identify themselves as such when posting questions on the Message Center. - AILA Products and Events
Paralegals and other support staff receive reduced pricing on products and events.
Government Employees
Government employees are not eligible for AILA membership per AILA's bylaws, but they can create an account on AILA.org. They should select "Government Employee" in the "Person Type" field and use their .gov email address to verify their account. If you are a government employee but your email address does not end in .gov, please contact the AILA membership department at membership@aila.org to set up your access.
Members of the Public
Members of the public can create an account on AILA.org in order to save searches and set up email alerts.