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2020

AILA Provides Feedback to USCIS on FY2021 H-1B Electronic Registration Process and Recommendations for Improvements

12/29/2020
On 12/29/20, AILA provided feedback to USCIS on the H-1B electronic registration process and recommendations for improvements. AILA addressed account creation issues, duplicate registrations, selection issues, and rejections/denials for failure to list a 10/1 start date, among other things.
AILA Doc. No. 20122908

AILA and Partners Send Letter Requesting Legislation to Create an Article l Immigration Court

12/14/2020
Nearly 120 organizations, including AILA, sent a letter urging Rep. Lofgren (D-CA) to introduce legislation creating an Article l immigration court before the end of the 116th Congress or the beginning of the 117th Congress.
AILA Doc. No. 20121539

AILA and Partners Send Letter Opposing Exclusionary Language in the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act

12/8/2020
AILA and partners sent a letter urging Representative Nadler (D-NY) and Representative Lofgren (D-CA) to strip xenophobic language from Section 9 of the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act that would ban many Chinese nationals from becoming LPRs and eventually citizens in the United States.
AILA Doc. No. 20120930

AILA and Partners Request DHS and OIRA to Extend Comment Period for H-1B Wage Lottery Proposed Rule

11/16/2020
On 11/16/20, nearly 128 multi-sector organizations, including AILA, sent a letter to DHS and OIRA requesting the agencies to extend the comment period on DHS’s H-1B Wage Lottery proposed rule from 30 days to a minimum of 60 days.
AILA Doc. No. 20112430

AILA and Partners Request DHS to Extend Comment Period for New Proposed Duration of Status Rule

10/8/2020
AILA and partners sent a letter to DHS requesting an extended 60-day comment period on DHS's new proposed rule on establishing a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure for nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media.
AILA Doc. No. 20101340

AILA and Partners Request EOIR to Extend Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Asylum and Withholding of Removal Procedures

10/8/2020
Nearly 90 organizations, including AILA, sent a letter to EOIR and OMB urging the agencies to extend the public comment period on EOIR's proposed rule on asylum and withholding of removal procedures from 30 days to a minimum of 60 days.
AILA Doc. No. 20100907

AILA and Partners Request DHS to Extend Comment Period on Proposed Rule Expanding Biometrics Collection

9/16/2020
One hundred and five organizations, including AILA, sent a letter to DHS and OMB requesting an extension to the public comment period for the DHS proposed rule on the use and collection of biometrics from 30 days to 60 days.
AILA Doc. No. 20092936

AILA and Partners Send Letter Urging Congressional Leaders to Reject Extra Funding for CBP and ICE

9/16/2020
AILA joined over 200 organizations in sending a letter urging congressional leaders to reject any anomalies or any other funding mechanisms that would increase funding for CBP or ICE in a FY2021 Continuing Resolution, stating that “filling these agencies’ coffers” even higher “would be reckless.”
AILA Doc. No. 20091807

AILA and Partners Send Letter to DHS and USCIS Requesting 18-Month Extension and Redesignation of TPS For South Sudan

8/24/2020
AILA joined over 210 organizations in sending a letter to DHS and USCIS urging the agencies to extend for 18 months and redesignate TPS for South Sudan to protect the 84 current South Sudanese TPS holders and their families, as well as recent arrivals who would benefit from redesignation.
AILA Doc. No. 20082630

AILA and Partners Send Letter to USCIS on the Blank-Spaces Form Rejection Policy

8/13/2020
AILA, ASISTA, Tahirih Justice, Freedom Network USA and over 140 other organizations sent a letter urging USCIS to immediately rescind the agency’s processing policy of rejecting applications for blank spaces on forms, which creates unnecessary barriers for individuals, organizations, and agencies.
AILA Doc. No. 20081362

AILA’s Statement for House Hearing on “Oversight of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services”

7/27/2020
AILA’s Director of Government Relations, Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, submitted a statement to the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship for its July 29, 2020, hearing on "Oversight of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.”
AILA Doc. No. 20072702

AILA and Partners Urge DHS and ICE to Release Detained Families Together

7/17/2020
AILA and other organizations sent a letter to DHS and ICE urging the immediate release of all families—parents together with their children—held at ICE family detention centers and to not use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to deploy its family separation policy again.
AILA Doc. No. 20072330

AILA Urges Immediate Passage of the NO BAN Act (H.R. 2214)

7/21/2020
AILA issued a statement urging House members to vote yes on the NO BAN Act (H.R. 2214) and to oppose any amendments or changes to the bill. The House is expected to vote on the bill on July 22, 2020.
AILA Doc. No. 20072101

AILA and Partners Urge Senate Leaders to Extend Work Authorizations to Dreamers

7/14/2020
AILA joined 182 national and local partners in urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to include automatic extensions of employment authorization for DACA, TPS, and other work-authorized immigrants in the fourth COVID-19 legislative package.
AILA Doc. No. 20071737

Compete America Coalition Sends Letter to DHS and ICE on New Restrictions for Online Classes for F-1 Nonimmigrants

7/13/2020
Compete America Coalition, which includes AILA, sent a letter to DHS and ICE expressing concern over upcoming regulation that will create restrictions for online classes for F-1 students. The letter urges ICE to rescind the announced policies and to retain the SEVP guidance issued in March 2020.
AILA Doc. No. 20071432

AILA Urges President Trump to Leave the DACA Program in Place

7/11/2020
On July 11, 2020, the Coalition for the American Dream, which includes AILA, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to leave the DACA program in place and refrain from taking any additional administrative actions that would negatively impact the program.
AILA Doc. No. 20071332

AILA and Partners Request Agencies to Extend TPS Re-Registration Period for Yemen and Somalia Due to COVID-19

4/22/2020
On 4/22/20, AILA and 68 other organizations sent a letter to DHS and USCIS requesting the agencies to automatically extend work authorization and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for at least 180 days to all current Yemen and Somalia TPS holders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20070203

AILA and Partners Send Letter Requesting Asylum Rule Comment Period Extension

6/18/2020
AILA and 501 partner organizations sent a letter to various immigration agencies requesting a minimum of 60 days for public comment on a joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would dismantle asylum eligibility for traumatized and vulnerable individuals.
AILA Doc. No. 20070105

AILA and Partners Call on DHS and USCIS to Immediately Reinstate DACA

6/23/2020
One hundred and fifty-five organizations, including AILA, sent a letter urging DHS and USCIS to immediate reinstate DACA, including accepting initial applications and granting advance parole. The letter also calls on DHS and USCIS to work with the Senate to pass the American Dream and Promise Act.
AILA Doc. No. 20063005

AILA and Partners Urge New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham to Stop ICE Detention Facility Transfers

6/22/2020
AILA and partners sent a letter urging New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham to prevent transfers and book-ins to ICE contract immigration detention centers in New Mexico, particularly the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
AILA Doc. No. 20062605

AILA and Partners Urge DHS to End Destructive Policies That Threaten the Safety of Immigrant Children

6/16/2020
On 6/16/20, AILA and partners sent a letter asking DHS to cease expulsions of unaccompanied children and asylum seekers at the southern border, stop deportation of unaccompanied children living within the U.S. interior without required court proceedings, and to release detained families together.
AILA Doc. No. 20062331

AILA and Partners Send Letter to EOIR on Premature Decision to Resume the Non-Detained Docket

6/15/2020
AILA, the Council, CLINIC, HRF, NIJC, and NIPNLG sent a letter to EOIR recommending that the overwhelming majority of non-detained hearings be postponed for the duration of the national public health emergency. Additional recommendations include a moratorium on the issuance of in absentia orders.
AILA Doc. No. 20061500

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS with Recommendations Concerning the Reopening of USCIS Offices During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

6/4/2020
AILA sent a letter to USCIS providing recommendations for the agency as it begins to reopen local USCIS field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers, and with recommendations for filing accommodations and flexibilities the agency can adopt to assist stakeholders and agency staff.
AILA Doc. No. 20060438

AILA Sends Letter to ICE About Check-In Procedures and Filing Stays of Removal

6/4/2020
On June 4, 2020, AILA sent a letter urging ICE to continue with rescheduling appointments and implementing other alternative measures, such as telephone check-ins, for persons who are under OSUP and/or the ISAP, as well as to continue accepting mailed stays of removal at field offices.
AILA Doc. No. 20060435

AILA and the American Immigration Council Send Letter to Congressional Appropriators Regarding USCIS Emergency Funding Request

5/29/2020
On May 29, 2020, AILA and the American Immigration Council sent a letter urging Congress to appropriate temporary funding to USCIS only if it includes safeguards related to transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
AILA Doc. No. 20060230

Advocates Call on Congress to Establish an Article I Immigration Court System

3/20/2020
AILA and advocates sent a letter to the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, supporting the recommendation of the ABA, immigration judges, and immigration lawyers, among others, to establish an Article I Immigration Court system that is independent of DOJ.
AILA Doc. No. 20052836

AILA and Partners Send Letter to DHS and CDC on Indefinite Suspension of Protections for Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children

5/27/2020
AILA and partners sent a letter to DHS and CDC objecting to the administration's use of the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to implement indefinite, illegal, and life-threatening restrictions on humanitarian protections for asylum seekers and unaccompanied children at the southern U.S. border.
AILA Doc. No. 20052833

AILA and Partners Send Letter Demonstrating that Nonimmigrants Are Vital to Our COVID-19 Recovery

5/21/2020
AILA joined 323 U.S. employers and business-related groups in sending a letter to President Trump and immigration-related agencies highlighting the importance of highly skilled nonimmigrant professionals to America’s economic recovery.
AILA Doc. No. 20052635

AILA and Partners Send Letter Urging DHS and ICE to Expedite Releases of Individuals in Immigration Custody

5/4/2020
On May 4, 2020, AILA and partners sent a letter to DHS and ICE requesting a coordinated and timely plan to expedite releases for individuals in immigration custody due to detainees and employees testing positive for the coronavirus.
AILA Doc. No. 20050600

AILA and Partners Send Letter to DOS and DHS Requesting Relief for Foreign-Born Workers and Their Employers

4/17/2020
On April 17, 2020, AILA and partners sent a letter to DOS and DHS requesting relief for foreign-born workers and their families and employers affected by USCIS closures and visa processing limitations in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20042835

AILA and Partners Send Letter to DHS and CDC Expressing Concern Over Expulsion of Unaccompanied Children

4/16/2020
On 4/16/20, AILA and partners sent a letter to DHS and CDC expressing concerns over DHS’s expulsions of unaccompanied children at the U.S. southern border, stating that these actions run counter to laws ensuring the right to seek asylum and place arriving children at risk for human trafficking.
AILA Doc. No. 20041605

AILA and Partners Send Letter Urging Government Agencies to Address Access to Counsel Concerns in MPP Hearings

4/15/2020
On April 15, 2020, AILA and partners sent a letter to CBP, DHS, EOIR, ICE, and USCIS urging the agencies to address access to counsel issues faced by asylum seekers subject to the Migrant Protection Protocols.
AILA Doc. No. 20041535

AILA Sends Letter to CBP Requesting It Grant Subsequent Periods of Satisfactory Departure During the COVID-19 Outbreak

4/14/2020
AILA sent a letter to CBP requesting that it grant subsequent periods of satisfactory departure for Visa Waiver Program entrants unable to depart the United States due to COVID-19 related issues.
AILA Doc. No. 20041531

AILA and Partners Send Letter to New Jersey Governor Urging Releases from ICE Detention Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

4/14/2020
On April 14, 2020, AILA, the American Immigration Council, and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) sent a letter to Governor Phil Murphy urging him to take steps to reduce the number of individuals in ICE custody in the state of New Jersey amid the coronavirus outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20041430

AILA and Partners Send Letter to New Mexico Governor Urging Releases from ICE Detention Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

4/14/2020
On April 14, 2020, AILA, the American Immigration Council, and the Santa Fe Dreamers Project sent a letter to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham urging her to take steps to reduce the number of individuals in ICE custody in the state of New Mexico amid the coronavirus outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20041400

AILA and Partners Send Letter to Colorado Governor Urging Releases from ICE Detention Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

4/13/2020
On April 13, 2020, AILA, the American Immigration Council, and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) sent a letter to Governor Jared Polis urging him to take steps to reduce the number of individuals in ICE custody in the state of Colorado amid the coronavirus outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20041334

AILA and IMGT Send Letter to DOS Recommending Actions to Facilitate the Services of International Medical Graduates During the COVID-19 Outbreak

4/3/2020
AILA and the International Medical Graduate Taskforce (IMGT) have sent a letter to the DOS Waiver Review Division providing recommendations for DOS actions that would allow international medical graduates to provide, or continue providing, much needed services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
AILA Doc. No. 20040334

More than 70 Organizations Call on DOJ to Immediately Close All Immigration Courts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

3/26/2020
On March 26, 2020, more than 70 organizations joined AILA, the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), and the ICE Professionals Union, to call on the Department of Justice to immediately close all immigration courts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20032630

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Demanding Immediate Suspension of All Deadlines

3/23/2020
AILA sent a letter to USCIS demanding suspension of all deadlines by 3/27/20 and implementation of other measures outlined in AILA’s previous letters, including extension of statutory or regulatory deadlines and extension of nonimmigrant status until 90 days after the end of the national emergency.
AILA Doc. No. 20032531

AILA Requests Additional Accommodations from USCIS to Facilitate Filings During National Emergency

3/23/2020
AILA sent a letter to USCIS following up on earlier letters dated 3/16 and 3/20 to request additional reasonable accommodations to enable petitioners, applicants, and representatives, who are now required to work from home or shelter in place, to continue filing benefit requests with USCIS.
AILA Doc. No. 20032341

AILA and Partners Send Letter to EOIR and ICE on Legal Access in Immigration Detention and Immigration Courts During COVID-19 Pandemic

3/23/2020
AILA, the Council, and more than 100 other organizations sent a letter urging EOIR and ICE to immediately authorize robust and automatic use of remote options for immigration court appearances and attorney-client meetings.
AILA Doc. No. 20032332

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Regarding California’s “Stay at Home” Order

3/20/2020
On 3/20/20, AILA sent a letter to USCIS Acting Director Kenneth Cuccinelli to seek immediate information related to the impact of COVID-19 and the California “stay at home” order on California Service Center (CSC) Operations.
AILA Doc. No. 20032090

AILA Sends Letter to CBP Regarding Its Response to COVID-19

3/17/2020
AILA sent a letter to CBP concerning the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on CBP activities throughout ports of entry and CBP holding facilities.
AILA Doc. No. 20031716

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Requesting Guidance on Its Response to COVID-19

3/16/2020
AILA sent a letter to USCIS expressing deep concerns regarding the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on USCIS operations and to respectfully request that the agency take immediate steps to mitigate its spread.
AILA Doc. No. 20031750

AILA Sends Letter to DOJ, EOIR, and ICE Regarding Urgent COVID-19 Measures

3/16/2020
On 3/16/20, AILA sent a letter to DOJ, EOIR, and ICE with urgent measures that should be taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AILA Doc. No. 20031666

AILA Sends Letter to DHS Requesting Guidance Concerning Form I-9 Compliance and COVID-19

3/16/2020
AILA sent a letter to DHS on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and public health emergency on U.S. businesses. AILA requests DHS immediately issue guidance providing flexibility in the Form I-9 verification, E-Verify and compliance process in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.
AILA Doc. No. 20031605

Immigration Judges, Prosecutors, and Attorneys Call for the Nationwide Closure of All Immigration Courts

3/15/2020
The National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), the ICE Professionals Union, and AILA call for the emergency closure of the nation’s Immigration Courts in adherence with current public health protocols regarding the COVID-19 virus and recognizing the urgency of this public health crisis.
AILA Doc. No. 20031590

AILA Sends Letter to ICE Regarding ICE Facilities and COVID-19

3/12/2020
On 3/12/20, AILA sent a letter to ICE requesting that ICE immediately implement procedures for the prevention and management of COVID-19 at all ICE facilities, including all detention centers and ICE locations where individuals must report for ICE supervision.
AILA Doc. No. 20031234

Letter to DHS Requesting MPP Be Stopped Immediately in Accordance with U.S. Law

3/6/2020
One hundred and fifty three organizations, including AILA, sent a letter to DHS urging it to uphold U.S. asylum law and to allow asylum seekers currently subject to the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) into the United States so they may seek refuge and protection from within the country.
AILA Doc. No. 20030603

Advocates Express Concerns and Request Written Response to Unanswered Questions After Laredo Tent Court Tour

2/21/2020
On 2/21/20, AILA and other advocates sent a letter following up on a 1/24/20 trip to the Laredo tent court. In this letter, the organizations expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and requested written confirmation of DHS’ policy for the program.
AILA Doc. No. 20022130

Advocates Call on Congress to Establish an Independent Immigration Court

2/18/2020
On 2/18/20, 54 immigration, civil rights, faith-based, government accountability, and labor organizations, including AILA, call on Congress to establish an immigration court system that is independent of DOJ so that it can guarantee due process and a fair hearing for immigrants.
AILA Doc. No. 20021838

AILA Urges House Judiciary Committee to Pass the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act of 2020

2/12/2020
AILA submitted a statement urging the House Judiciary Committee to pass H.R. 2214, NO BAN Act, and H.R. 5581, Access to Counsel Act of 2020. These bills will limit executive authority to restrict the entry of persons into the U.S. and grant access to counsel if a person is detained an hour or more.
AILA Doc. No. 20021131

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Raising Questions and Concerns About the H-1B Registration Tool

1/17/2020
On January 17, 2020, AILA sent a letter to USCIS sharing questions and concerns raised by AILA members and coalition partners on how the H-1B registration tool will work.
AILA Doc. No. 20012336

AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Requesting a Change to the USCIS Policy Manual

1/14/2020
On January 14, 2020, AILA sent a letter to USCIS requesting a change to the USCIS Policy Manual: Volume 7, Part A, Ch. 8, Section D, entitled “Portability Provisions” that suggests that all physicians with approved NIW petitions are subject to the two-year home residence requirement of INA §212(e).
AILA Doc. No. 20012330

Sign-on Letter Requesting an Extension of the 30-Day Comment Period for Proposed Rule Regarding Asylum Eligibility

1/2/2020
On 1/2/20, AILA and other organizations signed onto a letter requesting USCIS extend the comment period from 30 days to 60 days for the recent rulemaking issued with regards to asylum eligibility.
AILA Doc. No. 20010834