Recent AILA Press Releases
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AILA, NALEO Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans Team Up for Virtual and In-Person Citizenship Events
AILA is proud to join NALEO Educational Fund and NPNA for AILA’s 16th Citizenship Day, taking place virtually and in-person at 20+ events across the country on or around Saturday, February 12, 2022, to help lawful permanent residents take the final steps toward U.S. citizenship.
AILA Welcomes Legislation to Create Independent Immigration Court
AILA welcomed newly introduced legislation that would create an independent immigration court system. The “Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2022” was introduced by Representatives Lofgren (D-CA), Nadler (D-NY), and Johnson (D-GA), following two hearings on this issue over the past few years.
Capital Good Fund and AILA Partnership Brings Financial Support to Immigrant Communities
Capital Good Fund and AILA have launched a national program to give AILA members the benefit of offering an affordable financing option to their clients, allowing more people to access legal representation.
AILA Welcomes Administration’s Changes to Attract and Retain STEM Talent
AILA welcomed policy changes that will help America attract and retain individuals with STEM expertise. President Allen Orr noted, “These changes are in line with several recommendations AILA has urged the Biden administration to consider as part of our Vision for a Welcoming America.”
One Year Later, Promises on Immigration Have Fallen Short
AILA reviewed and analyzed the Biden administration’s promises on immigration and the actions taken, or not taken, in our new report. “Still Striving – The First Year of the Biden Administration” covers promises kept and those left unfulfilled in the year since President Biden’s inauguration.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Announced Measures to Strengthen Central America Through Public-Private Partnerships
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed news from Vice President Kamala Harris about planned measures to strengthen Central America through public-private partnerships, noting that such measures must be managed with transparency and the input of civil society.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Biden Administration Recognition of Immigration Judges’ Labor Union
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed news that the Biden administration reversed the position taken by the previous administration and has once again recognized the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) as the labor union for immigration judges.
AILA Welcomes Merger of American Immigration Council and New American Economy
AILA welcomes the merger of the American Immigration Council and the New American Economy into a unified American Immigration Council which “will have a dramatic impact on the lives of immigrants, the lawyers and organizations who represent them, and communities all over the country.”
AILA Deeply Disappointed in Even Temporary Resurrection of MPP
AILA is deeply disappointed that politically motivated Attorneys General of Missouri and Texas have managed to temporarily resurrect the inhumane “Migrant Protection Protocols” known as Remain in Mexico, noting the result will be to undermine U.S. asylum laws and traumatize vulnerable immigrants.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Latest Travel Bans
AILA President Allen Orr urged the Biden administration to implement common-sense reforms that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while reopening America, instead of travel bans that only serve to validate xenophobic and racist attitudes.
House Passes Immigration Measures as Part of Build Back Better Act
AILA welcomed the House passage of the Build Back Better Act which contains several immigration provisions, noting “While this is a critical first step, we still need real, lasting reform to our immigration laws to build out an immigration system that will actually work for America.”
More than 40 Human and Civil Rights Leaders: Ongoing Mistreatment and Expulsions of Haitians and Asylum Seekers Will Stain Biden’s Legacy
AILA President Allen Orr and 42 other organizational leaders urge the Biden administration to change course, as it fails “to do the right thing at our Southern border and is causing harms to thousands of Black and Brown asylum seekers, families and individuals seeking protection.”
Major Settlement Changes How USCIS Adjudicates Work Permits for Nonimmigrant Spouses
AILA and litigation partners Wasden Banias and Steven Brown celebrate the historic settlement with DHS in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, which provides structural changes for nonimmigrant H-4 and L-2 spouses suffering from long-delayed processing times for EAD applications.
AILA and Members File Class Action Challenging Huge USCIS Processing Delays on Work Permits
49 plaintiffs represented by AILA, Farshad Owji, Aaron Hall, Charles Kuck, and Greg Siskind filed a class action lawsuit against DHS and USCIS over the extreme processing delays on applications for EADs for noncitizens who are seeking Adjustment of Status (AOS) and E-2 nonimmigrant spouses.
AILA Welcomes Termination Memo Intended to End the “Migrant Protection Protocols” Permanently
AILA welcomed the Biden administration’s memo to terminate the “Migrant Protection Protocols”, with AILA President Allen Orr noting, “May this be the beginning of the final end to this despicable program undermining U.S. asylum law.”
U.S. Employers Settle Lawsuit Challenging USCIS’ Unlawful Denial of H-1B Petitions Filed by American Businesses
AILA and our litigation partners announced the approved settlement in a class action lawsuit challenging USCIS’s pattern and practice of arbitrarily denying H-1B nonimmigrant employment-based petitions for market research analyst positions.
AILA President Allen Orr Celebrates National Pro Bono Week with RFK Human Rights Award Winner Guerline Jozef and Urges Continued Efforts to Help Haiti
AILA President Allen Orr shared insights as he celebrates National Pro Bono Week with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Winner Guerline Jozef and urges continued efforts to help Haitians in need of protection.
DHS Secretary Strengthens Protections from Enforcement Actions for Sensitive Locations
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed the new sensitive locations memo from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas but noted, “Without accountability, ICE and other DHS agents will have the leeway to continue as they have under the previous administration. That would be disastrous and unacceptable.”
Biden Administration Rightly Removes Artificial Quotas for Immigration Judges
AILA welcomed news that the Biden administration has removed the artificial quotas imposed on immigration judges but urged further action to rescind other Trump-era policies which continue to undercut the integrity and independence of our immigration courts.
Statement from AILA President Allen Orr Regarding National Efforts to Assist Black Migrants
AILA President Allen Orr recognized National Day of Action and National Week of Action for Black Migrants, noting “We will work with our partners to…ensure that those who come to our shores have the meaningful chance to seek protection that our laws, and our integrity, require.”
AILA Welcomes Planned Lift of Travel Restrictions at Land Border Points of Entry
AILA welcomed the announcement that U.S. land border and ferry crossing points of entry would reopen to travelers who are fully vaccinated, in addition to all air travelers, next month and continues to urge the White House to lift the “Title 42” order.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Appeals Court Ruling on Title 42
AILA President Allen Orr stated “The decision of the appeals court to lift the stay on Title 42 expulsions is a travesty, but the fact the Biden administration appealed the original decision was an abandonment of the commitments and principles that the administration pledged to uphold.”
AILA: Implementation Will Show if New ICE Guidelines Go Far Enough
AILA welcomed new guidelines announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas which would shape actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents across the country.
AILA Executive Director Welcomes New Direction at EOIR
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson welcomed the appointment of David Neal to be Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
AILA: Goal of Resettling More Refugees Promising But Biden Must Do More
AILA welcomed President Biden’s move to increase the refugee “cap” to 125,000 for FY2022, but AILA President Allen Orr hoped, “the administration will recognize the urgency and aim to resettle 200,000 refugees which is consistent with the levels given protection during major refugee emergencies.”