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
AILA and Partners Send Letter to White House Urging Closure of ICE Detention Sites
AILA and 113 partners sent a letter to the White House urging support for the closure of ICE detention sites, the prevention of the development of future detention sites or expansion of existing ones, and the reduction of funding for immigration detention.
AILA and Partners Responds to USCIS Collection on I-589 Form
AILA and partners submit comments in response to the collection activities on the extension without change of Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, and urge USCIS to make changes rather than renewing the form without any chances.
AILA Sends Letter to DOS on E-Visa Adjudications and Processing Delays Worldwide
AILA sent a letter to DOS suggesting procedural and policy changes for consideration that may alleviate some of the E-visa case backlogs and provide efficiencies to E-visa processing moving forward.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to USCIS, EOIR, and OPLA on Biometrics Appointments
AILA and partners sent a letter to USCIS, EOIR, and OPLA addressing the unnecessary hurdles non-detained people in removal proceedings face in securing a biometrics appointment prior to their merits hearing.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to DHS on Prosecutorial Discretion for Labor Disputes
AILA and partners sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas urging DHS to release guidance on prosecutorial discretion for individuals involved in labor disputes.
AILA Sends Letter to USCIS with Recommendations on Digital Signature Policy
AILA submitted recommendations to USCIS to expand its acceptance of digital and electronic signatures that meet standard security and verification protocols to all form types, not just those that may be filed electronically.
AILA and Partners Urge Review of Country Conditions and Designation of TPS for Pakistan
AILA and partners urged the Administration to immediately designate TPS and special student relief for Pakistan and provide protection for Pakistani immigrants living in the United States who would face unsafe and life-threatening conditions if returned.
AILA Requests Urgent Guidance on Filing of Form I-956/I-956G in Connection with "Retired Regional Centers"
AILA sent a letter to USCIS requesting policy guidance related to legal requirements of previously approved regional centers electing to wind-down pursuant to the settlement agreement issued in the Behring Regional Center LLC, et al. v. Mayorkas litigation. USCIS issued a response to AILA.
AILA Signs onto Letter Expressing Disappointment on the Explicit Exclusion of Many Immigrants on Criminal Policy Reforms
AILA and partners urged President Biden to extend pardon of federal convictions for marijuana possession to all immigrants, regardless of immigration status, and to take necessary steps to ensure that immigrants do not suffer negative immigration consequences from marijuana convictions.
AILA Provides Feedback on the H-1B Electronic Registration System
AILA, the USCIS Case Assistance Committee, and the USCIS HQ/Benefits Committee provide feedback and suggestions for USCIS to further enhance the H-1B Electronic Registration System. AILA has requested a meeting with USCIS to discuss our recommendations.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to Congress Urging Creation of Permanent Protections for Dreamers
AILA and partners sent a letter urging congressional leaders to swiftly pass legislative protections for Dreamers.
AILA Sends Letter to DC Council Expressing Grave Concerns About Migrant Services and Supports Act of 2022
AILA sent a letter requesting the Council of the District of Columbia to shift course and not pass any bill that creates a separate residency requirement for migrants or excludes migrants residing in D.C. from accessing homeless services.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to Biden Administration on TPS for Pakistan
AILA and partners sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to support a senate request that DHS grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to individuals from Pakistan and ask DHS-SEVP to grant Special Student Relief (SSR) to F-1 students from Pakistan.
AILA Joins Legal Service & Mental Health Providers in Letter to Administration Expressing Grave Concerns over the “Dedicated Docket”
AILA joined legal service providers, mental health providers, and advocacy organizations in sending a letter to the Administration detailing the due process and fairness concerns with the Dedicated Docket, along with recommendations on how to address these concerns.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to the OMB on FY2024 Priorities for Immigrants
AILA and partners sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with priority recommendations for immigrant communities and requested bolder steps be taken toward a more humane approach to immigration policy in the proposed FY2024 White House budget.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to the Administration on TPS for Ethiopia
AILA and partners sent a letter to the Administration requesting the designation of the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months and Special Student Relief (SSR) and a cease of deportations while TPS and SSR are being implemented for those unable to safely return.
AILA and Partners Sends Letter to Biden on Central American Minors (CAM) Refugee and Parole Program
AILA and partners sent a letter to President Biden requesting improvements to the CAM Program so that it can deliver on its promise as a pathway to safety and family reunification and continue to take steps to ensure robust asylum processing at the border for children fleeing violence.
AILA and Partners Sends Letter Urging Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Burma
AILA and partners sent a letter urging President Biden to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma, expand the protections, provide a 180-day registration period for beneficiaries, and provide educational resources and public engagement for the impacted community.
AILA and Partners Send Letter to Secretary Mayorkas on Unlawful Trashing of Turbans and Religious Freedom Violations
AILA and partners sent a letter urging Secretary Mayorkas to take immediate action regarding CBP’s confiscation and disposal of migrants’ personal belongings, including religious articles of faith, and CBP’s denial of meals to migrants that comply with their religious beliefs.
AILA and Partners Send Letter on the Asylum Processing Rule
AILA and partners sent a letter to DHS, USCIS, and DOJ with recommendations on the Asylum Processing Rule implementation process and a request for a dedicated meeting to discuss this letter and recommendations with the relevant agencies and officials as soon as possible.
AILA and Partners Call on Biden Administration to End MPP Following Supreme Court Decision
In light of the SCOTUS ruling in Biden v. Texas, immigrant and refugee rights organizations and service providers sent a letter urging the Administration to take immediate action to wind down the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and redress the harm suffered by those subjected to it.
AILA Joins Groups in Urging DHS to Ensure SCOTUS Dobbs Decision Has No Impact on Immigration Enforcement
Immigration, criminal justice, and civil rights organizations urged DHS to immediately issue guidance to prevent the Supreme Court’s rights-stripping decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization from being used against noncitizens seeking reproductive health care in the U.S.
Civil Society Organizations Urge Congress to Not Codify Title 42 Border Expulsions in Spending Bills
AILA joined civil society organizations in urging House leaders to not include amendments that would legislatively codify and indefinitely prolong Title 42 border expulsions in any FY2023 spending bills that receive a vote on the House floor.
AILA Requests Clarification from USCIS on Implementation of Temporary Injunction Issued in Behring v. Mayorkas
On 7/28/22, USCIS responded to AILA’s request for clarification on the revised USCIS policies required to implement the preliminary injunction issued on 6/24/22 in Behring Regional Center LLC v. Mayorkas, a lawsuit challenging USCIS’s implementation of EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
AILA and Partners Send Letter on Immediate Actions to Take on Title 42
AILA and partners sent a letter to the Administration urging immediate action to preserve asylum and refugee law at the U.S. borders to the fullest extent, consistent with current court decisions concerning the use of Title 42.