AILA Welcomes Menendez Plan Offering Humane and Effective Border Management Solutions

Washington, DC — The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) commends Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for offering up concrete recommendations on immigration issues.

AILA President Jeremy McKinney stated, “In this contentious era, it is heartening to see a leader like Senator Menendez come to the table with a multi-pronged plan for tackling a tough issue like immigration and asylum. This set of recommendations includes some smart solutions that AILA has proposed, including ensuring access to legal counsel, expanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and expanding legal pathways. However, as an immigration attorney who works with asylum seekers, the emphasis on expedited removal and accelerated processing gives me pause. Nearly every proposal that emphasizes or expands expedited processing has undermined meaningful access to both legal representation and asylum.”

AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson added, “This vision for reform is vital to the dialogue. Sen. Menendez proposes concrete, effective, and humane steps the administration and Congress could take on immigration reform. The contrast, between this thoughtful approach and the punitive yet ineffective border bills that the Republican-led House of Representatives is advancing, is stark. Categorically rejecting migrants isn’t a practical way forward. Sen. Menendez’s plan is a starting point for reasoned discussion and debate grounded in the realities of immigration. Let’s work together to build immigration policy that matches the American ideal and benefits our shared prosperity.”

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 23041803.