Annual Awards
Each year, it is AILA’s distinct pleasure to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations who have achieved excellence in immigration law.
Our Annual Awards are bestowed in up to 12 categories: Advancing the Practice of Immigration Law; Advocacy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Human Rights; Litigation; Media Leadership; Mentorship; Pro Bono; AILA Service Excellence; Teaching; Technology and Innovation; and Young Lawyers.
Additionally, the Robert Juceam Founders Award is given from time to time to the person or entity having the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy in the preceding period.
Awards are presented at the AILA Annual Conference each year.
The nomination process is now closed. Recipients of the 2025 award will be recognized during the AILA Annual Conference held June 18-21, 2025, in Denver, CO.
- Allen Orr
Awarded the Advocacy Award for outstanding efforts in support of AILA’s advocacy agenda.
- Paulina Reyes-Perrariz
Awarded the Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights.
- Rex Chen
Awarded the Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.
- Alberto M. Benitez
Awarded the Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award for excellence in teaching.
- Muñoz Litigation Team
Awarded the Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law.
- Laila Ayub and Maria Aftab Kari
Awarded the Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for outstanding contributions made as young lawyers in the field of immigration and nationality law.
- Caitlin Dickson of Yahoo News
Awarded the Media Leadership Award for outstanding efforts in the media to accurately depict immigration and immigrants.
- Tracy Harper and Patrick Taurel
Awarded the Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field.
- Susan G. Roy
Awarded the Sam Williamson Mentor Award for outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.
- Gregory Siskind
Awarded the 2024 inaugural Technology & Innovation Award for pioneering work leveraging technology to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve client service.
- Robert H. Cohen and Leslie A. Holman
Awarded the Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award for years of outstanding service in advancing the mission, development, and value of AILA for its members and the public it serves.
- Stephen Yale-Loehr
Awarded the Robert Juceam Founders Award, which is given from time to time to the person or entity having the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy.