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 EOIR and ICE on Legal Access in Immigration Detention and Immigration Courts During COVID-19 Pandemic
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 Requests Additional Accommodations from USCIS to Facilitate Filings During National Emergency
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 Sends Letter to USCIS Demanding Immediate Suspension of All Deadlines
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 Sends Letter to USCIS Regarding California’s “Stay at Home” Order
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.
Advocates Call on Congress to Establish an Article I Immigration Court System
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 Sends Letter to CBP Regarding Its Response to COVID-19
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 Sends Letter to DHS Requesting Guidance Concerning Form I-9 Compliance and COVID-19
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 Sends Letter to DOJ, EOIR, and ICE Regarding Urgent COVID-19 Measures
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 Sends Letter to USCIS Requesting Guidance on Its Response to COVID-19
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.
Immigration Judges, Prosecutors, and Attorneys Call for the Nationwide Closure of All Immigration Courts
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 Sends Letter to ICE Regarding ICE Facilities and COVID-19
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.
Letter to DHS Requesting MPP Be Stopped Immediately in Accordance with U.S. Law
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.
Advocates Express Concerns and Request Written Response to Unanswered Questions After Laredo Tent Court Tour
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.
Advocates Call on Congress to Establish an Independent Immigration Court
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 Urges House Judiciary Committee to Pass the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act of 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 Sends Letter to USCIS Raising Questions and Concerns About the H-1B Registration Tool
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 Sends Letter to USCIS Requesting a Change to the USCIS Policy Manual
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).
Sign-on Letter Requesting an Extension of the 30-Day Comment Period for Proposed Rule Regarding Asylum Eligibility
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 Issues Vote Recommendation on H.R. 5038
AILA urged Congress to vote YES on Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse's (R-WA) Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019, which would create a new temporary, renewable worker visa program requiring agricultural employers to implement the “E-Verify” program to ensure workers are authorized.
AILA Sends Letter to USCIS Requesting a Delay in Mandatory Effective Date of New I-924A
AILA sent a letter to USCIS requesting that USCIS delay the December 6, 2019, mandatory effective date of new Form I-924A and continue to accept the December 23, 2016, edition of Form I-924A through December 31, 2019.
AILA and the Council Send Follow-Up Letter Regarding Complaint Highlighting Due Process Violations at the El Paso Immigration Court
AILA and the Council sent a letter to DOJ’s EOIR, OIG, and OPR asking for an update about any changes EOIR has made regarding standing orders and about any investigations, disciplinary measures, or systematic changes at the El Paso SPC Court that may have occurred as a result of the prior complaint.
AILA Joins Coalition Letter Urging Congressional Support for RELIEF Act
AILA joined the Arab American Institute and other partners in a November 25, 2019, letter to Congress urging support for the RELIEF Act.
AILA Statement for House Subcommittee Hearing on Remain in Mexico
AILA submitted a statement to the House Border Subcommittee for the 11/19/19 hearing on “Examining the Human Rights and Legal Implications of DHS’ ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy.”
AILA Joins Organizations and Academics to Call for End to Remain in Mexico Program
On 11/18/19, AILA joined numerous immigration, human rights, and civil rights organizations and academics in asking Congress to end the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” program, as it places asylum seekers in great danger, violates U.S. law, due process, and international legal obligations.
AILA Sends Letter to Congress Demanding Public Access to Tent Courts
On 11/12/19, AILA called on Congress to require DHS to allow public access to the tent courts and to visit the tent courts at Laredo and Brownsville in order to observe the tent court proceedings firsthand.