Press Room
Recent AILA Press Releases
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AILA's Law Journal Welcomes New Editor-In-Chief Cyrus Mehta
AILA announced the new Editor-in-Chief for the AILA Law Journal will be renowned expert Cyrus D. Mehta of New York, NY. Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia ends her tremendously successful service in the role for the first three years of the law journal’s existence and is passing the torch this month.
AILA President Jeremy McKinney Responds to Texas Governor’s Reprehensible Border Announcement
In this statement, AILA President Jeremy McKinney responds to the announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott calling on Texas law enforcement officials and Texas National Guard members to illegally involve themselves in federal immigration policy.
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms the Biden Administration’s Authority to End MPP
AILA welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Biden v. Texas, which affirmed the Biden Administration’s authority to end the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).
AILA Elects New Officers for 2022-23 Term
Jeremy McKinney was installed as AILA’s President for the 2022-23 term and the following officers were elected today: Farshad Owji as President-Elect, Kelli J. Stump as First Vice President, Jeff Joseph as Second Vice President, Alexis S. Axelrad as Treasurer, and Jacqueline Watson as Secretary.
AILA Presents Charles Oppenheim with the Founders Award
AILA recognizes Charles Oppenheim with the 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.
Ten Years Later – Where are Permanent Protections for DREAMers?
Today, AILA celebrates 10 years since the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative but calls on Congress to pass permanent protections; AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson notes, “Congress’ inaction on this issue is a moral and political failure.”
AILA Presents Marc Van Der Hout with the 2022 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award
AILA recognizes Marc Van Der Hout with the 2022 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award, in recognition of his outstanding service, over a period of years, in advancing the mission, development, and value of AILA for its members and the public it serves.
AILA Recognizes Ian Wagreich with the 2022 Sam Williamson Mentor Award
AILA recognizes Ian Wagreich with the 2022 Sam Williamson Mentor Award, in acknowledgment of his outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.
AILA Presents AILA’s Afghan Response Task Force with the 2022 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award
AILA recognizes the AILA Afghan Response Task Force with the 2022 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field.
AILA Presents Camilo Montoya-Galvez with the 2022 Media Leadership Award
AILA recognizes Camilo Montoya-Galvez of CBS News with the 2022 Media Leadership Award, given to individuals whose efforts in the media most accurately depict immigration and immigrants.
AILA Presents Matthew T. Galati with the 2022 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award
AILA recognizes Matthew T. Galati with the 2022 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for his outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law.
AILA Presents Immigration IMMpact Litigation with the 2022 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award
AILA recognizes Immigration IMMpact Litigation with the 2022 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law.
AILA Presents Rebecca Kitson with the 2022 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award
AILA recognizes Rebecca Kitson with the 2022 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of outstanding teaching in the area of immigration law.
AILA Launches FOIA Toolbox: A Practical Guide to Obtaining Records for Immigration Cases
AILA has a new resource for practitioners seeking to gain access to government records: AILA's FOIA Toolbox: A Practical Guide to Obtaining Records for Immigration Cases through FOIA and Other Document Requests.
AILA Presents Sandra A. Grossman with the 2022 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award
AILA recognizes Sandra A. Grossman with the 2022 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.
AILA Presents Olivia Serene Lee with the 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
AILA recognizes Olivia Serene Lee with the 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.
AILA and the American Immigration Council Welcome Angela Kelley as Chief Advisor – Policy and Partnerships
AILA and the American Immigration Council welcome Angela Kelley as Chief Advisor – Policy and Partnerships. In her role, Ms. Kelley will be a critical member of the executive management team of both organizations; she most recently served as Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
AILA Presents Guerline Jozef with the 2022 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award
AILA recognizes Guerline Jozef with the 2022 Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights.
AILA President Allen Orr: Pause on Title 42 Rollback Unsurprising; the Fight Continues
Allen Orr responded to the preliminary injunction keeping Title 42 in place as a border expulsion policy noting, “We are disappointed but in no way surprised by this decision…we will overcome this decision and ensure America’s compassion and commitment to fairness and justice prevail.”
AILA President-Elect Jeremy McKinney Responds to Supreme Court Decision in Patel v. Garland
AILA President-Elect Jeremy McKinney responded to the decision in Patel v. Garland, stating, “This decision strips non-citizens of an important avenue for relief after incorrect decisions by immigration judges. It does so by ignoring the plain language of the statute.”
Texas AG “Investigating” Texas Bar Foundation is an Attempt to Shift Attention and Undermine the Rule of Law
AILA and the American Immigration Council stand in support of the Texas State Bar Foundation in response to TX AG Ken Paxton’s investigation of the Foundation for supporting organizations that provide legal representation, citizenship classes, and other legal needs to the immigrant community in TX.
AILA Welcomes USCIS Action to Address Effect of Processing Delays on Families and the U.S. Economy
AILA welcomed news that USCIS will automatically extend work permits for up to 540 days beginning May 4, 2022. AILA President Allen Orr said, “It is a great step forward, but there remain many more simple changes the Biden Administration can and should make to right the ship at USCIS.”
AILA Welcomes New Humanitarian Parole Process for Ukrainians, but Administration Needs to Recognize Disparate Treatment of Populations
AILA welcomed the announcement the Biden administration is building out a process to allow U.S.-based individuals and organizations to more easily sponsor Ukrainian refugees but must redouble its efforts to correct what continues to be starkly disparate treatment of other populations.
AILA Welcomes Designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status
AILA welcomed the recent designation of Cameroon for TPS which will protect thousands of Cameroonian nationals currently in the U.S. but noted, “We cannot sacrifice one vulnerable population for another. These decisions must be centered in equity and our common humanity.”
New ICE Guidelines for Its Attorneys Prioritize Prosecutorial Discretion
AILA welcomed the recent memo from ICE Principal Legal Advisor Kerry Doyle directing prosecutors “to use their discretion to look for opportunities to resolve cases promptly and in the interest of justice for all parties involved.” The memo will take effect April 25, 2022.