AILA Correspondence with the Government
Read letters that AILA has sent to government officials about pressing immigration -related issues, as well as coalition letters to government officials that AILA has signed.
Browse the AILA Correspondence collection
Letter to President Obama from Refugee and Asylee Groups on Family Detention
An 11/20/14 letter from AILA and refugees and asylum organizations to President Obama urging him to address the fundamental problems with the detention and expedited deportation of children and their mothers as he considers taking executive action to reform the immigration system.
Letter to President Obama on Family Detention and Executive Action
A 11/18/14 letter from AILA and 135 advocacy, legal, service and other organizations to President Obama urging him to address the fundamental problems with the detention and expedited deportation of children and their mothers as he considers taking executive action to reform the immigration system.
Letter to President Obama on Guidance Regarding Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement
On 10/31/14, AILA joined The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and other organizations renewing the request for strengthened revisions to the DOJ’s 2003 guidance regarding the use of race by federal law enforcement agencies.
Letter from AILA Chapters to the Obama Administration on the Need for Children and Families to Receive Due Process
All of AILA’s U.S.-based chapters signed on to this open letter which calls for the Obama Administration to immediately review its current inhumane and unconstitutional detention and removal policies towards children and families with children.
Letter to President Obama Opposing Family Detention
On 9/25/14, AILA joined 167 organizations in urging President Obama to close the Artesia and Karnes detention centers and to halt plans to open a new family detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
Letter to Vice President Biden on Pro Bono Representation
A 9/19/14 letter from AILA and other legal services organizations urging the Administration to take action to remove impediments to access to counsel for children and families.
AILA Letter to Congress on Artesia
A 9/16/14 AILA letter to members of Congress urging action on the Artesia, NM family detention center.
AILA Letter to President Obama on Artesia
A 9/16/14 AILA letter to President Obama urging the closing of the Artesia, NM family detention center.
AILA Letter to White House on Administrative Fixes
On 8/6/14 AILA Executive Director Crystal Williams sent this letter to Cecilia Munoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House outlining the key areas where AILA hopes the administration will pursue improvements as they consider administrative action.
Sign-on Letter to Senate Appropriations on Counsel for Children
On 7/22/14, AILA joined 48 organizations in a sign-on letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee on the need for adequate funding for legal representation for all children.
AILA Statement for Senate Appropriations Hearing on UACs
AILA statement submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee for the 7/10/14 hearing on “Review of the President’s Emergency Supplemental Request for Unaccompanied Children and Related Matters.”
National Sign-on Letter Opposing Family Detention
On 7/7/14 AILA joined over 100 other organizations in a sign-on letter to President Obama urging him to end plans to open new immigrant detention centers for families.
National Sign-On Letter on UACs
On 7/3/14, AILA joined over 190 other organizations in a sign-on letter to President Obama urging him to reconsider the plan to expedite the deportation of Central American children to the dangers they escaped in their home countries.
AILA Statement for House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Unaccompanied Children
AILA Statement submitted to the House Judiciary Committee the 6/25/14 hearing on “An Administration Made Disaster: The South Texas Border Surge of Unaccompanied Alien Minors.”
AILA Statement for House Committee on Homeland Security on Unaccompanied Children
AILA Statement submitted to the House Committee on Homeland Security for the 6/24/14 hearing on “Dangerous Passage: The Growing Problem of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border.”
Letter to the Chief of USCIS Asylum Division on Asylum Division Officer Training Course Lesson Plan
A 6/16/14 letter from AILA and over 50 other organizations and law professors to John Lafferty, Chief of USCIS Asylum Division, requesting revisions to the Asylum Division Officer Training Course Lesson Plan, Credible Fear of Persecution and Torture Determinations, and the accompanying memorandum.
AILA Letter to the Attorney General Asking for Certification
A 5/6/14 letter from AILA to Attorney General Eric Holder urging certification of several cases pending before the BIA and the related case of Matter of Aguilar-Aquino on the issues of prolonged detention and the definition of "custody."
AILA Statement for FY2015 Senate Appropriations Hearing
AILA statement submitted to the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. Senate Hearing on the Department of Homeland Security fiscal year 2015 budget.
AILA Statement for FY2015 House Appropriations Hearing
AILA statement submitted to the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. House of Representatives Hearing on the Department of Homeland Security fiscal year 2015 budget.
AILA Statement for House Judiciary Hearing on President's Duty to Execute the Laws
AILA statement submitted to the House Judiciary Committee for the 2/26/14 hearing on “Enforcing the President’s Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws.”
AILA Statement for House Judiciary Hearing on Asylum Fraud
AILA statement submitted to the House Immigration Subcommittee for the 2/11/14 hearing on “Asylum Fraud: Abusing America’s Compassion.”
National Sign on Letter on Enforcement
On 1/16/14 AILA joined 17 other national organizations in a sign on letter to DHS Secretary Johnson and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas on immigration enforcement.
National Sign on Letter on Child Tax Credit
On 1/15/14 AILA joined over 50 other national organizations in a sign on letter to United States Senators opposing any proposals to pay for the cost of extending unemployment insurance by changing the eligibility requirements for the Child Tax Credit.
Letter to CBP on Access to Policy and Complaint System
On 12/12/13, AILA joined 16 other groups in a sign on letter to CBP Acting Commission Winkowski requesting access to CBP policy, action on an improved complaint system, and improved training on fear-based protection claims.
Letter to Speaker Boehner Urging House Action on Immigration Reform
A 11/20/13 letter from AILA to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) urging House action on immigration reform.