Laura:
- No tag for awards? Can't create a collection page, just used a random tag for now
- Should we remove about from subpage URLs? I believe most of these will be in the research library
- Do we need links at bottom if they are tagged?
- Review copy below for errors
- Review page settings for slug, access levels, description, title, etc.
Bobby/Gio:
- No images in graphics folder for Hero
- Review for look/feel/graphics/spacing/etc.
- May need to play around with blue header hero graphic, it does not appear properly. Also should it be black and white so it appears better with the blue overlay? Defer to you.
- Will need whatever ad images to go in ad block that will be relevant for Nov 4, please coordinate with Laura
Changes Made from Word Doc:
- N/A
Each year, it is AILA’s distinct pleasure to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations who have achieved excellence in immigration law. Our Annual Awards are bestowed in up to 11 categories: Advancing the Practice of Immigration Law; Advocacy; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Human Rights; Litigation; Media Leadership; Mentorship; Pro Bono; AILA Service Excellence; Teaching; and Young Lawyers. Additionally, the Founders Award is given from time to time to the person or entity having the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy in the preceding period.
Meet Our 2023 Award Recipients
- Hannah Cartwright
2023 Advocacy Award for outstanding efforts in support of AILA’s advocacy agenda - UndocuBlack Network
2023 Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights - Ban Al-Wardi and Maria C. Chavez
2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession - Amy Nice
2023 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law - Karla McKanders
2023 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award - AILA Amicus Committee
2023 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law
Committee Members: Jonathan Weinberg, David Zimmer, Shane Ellison, Lily Axelrod, Nadia Anguiano, David A. Isaacson, Christina Murdoch, Amalia Wille, Becky Sharpless, Jonah Eaton, Mark R. Barr, Elissa Steglich, Dalia Fuleihan, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, and Sabrina Damast. - Sarah Pitney
2023 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law - Priscilla Alvarez of CNN
2023 Media Leadership Award for outstanding efforts in the media to accurately depict immigration and immigrants - Troutman Pepper
2023 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field - Brian S. Green
2023 Sam Williamson Mentor Award for outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance - Palma Yanni
2023 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award for years of outstanding service in advancing the mission, development, and value of AILA for its members and the public it serves - Ira Kurzban
Founders Award, which is given from time to time to the person or entity having the most substantial impact on the field of immigration law or policy - 2023 Chapter Awards
- 2023 President’s Commendations
Russell Abrutyn, James W. Austin, Maria Theresa Baldini-Potermin, Dan H. Berger, C. Lynn Calder, Rex Chen, James P. Chesser, David W. Cook, Sandra Feist, Ellen Freeman, Amanda Bethea Keaveny, Vincent W. Lau, Daniel Melo, Jennifer Minear, Spojmie Ahmady Nasiri, Andrew K. Nietor, Adriel D. Orozco, Sarah Owings, Rachel M. Self, Margaret D. Stock, Carlina Tapia-Ruano, and Wendy S. Wayne
See Past Award Winners
AILA Chapter Awards | Advocacy Award | Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award | Congressional Leadership Award | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Recognition Award | Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award | Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award | Jack Wasserman Memorial Award | Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award | Media Leadership Award | Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award | Sam Williamson Mentor Award | Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award | The Robert E. Juceam Founders Award | President's Commendations
Browse the Annual Awards collection
DHS Notice of Termination of Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan
DHS notice that DHS Secretary is terminating the designation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The designation was set to expire on 11/3/25. Termination will be effective 1/5/26. (90 FR 50484, 11/6/25)
DHS Updates Effective Date for Final Rule on Protection of Federal Property
DHS changed the effective date of its final rule on the protection of federal property from 1/1/26 to 11/5/25. To justify the change, DHS cites “civil unrest, targeting of federal law enforcement officials, and destruction of federal property,” particularly at ICE facilities. (90 FR 49247, 11/5/25)
USCIS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Collection and Use of Biometrics
USCIS notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend its regulations governing biometrics use and collection. Proposed changes include requiring anyone filing or associated with an immigration benefits request to submit biometrics. Comments are due 1/2/26. (90 FR 49062, 11/3/25)
Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026
Memorandum for DOS, DHS, and HHS secretaries with the presidential determination of the admission of up to 7,500 refugees in FY2026. Admissions will be primarily allocated to Afrikaners and “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.” (90 FR 49005, 10/31/25)
Presidential Determination on Transferring the United States Program of Initial Refugee Resettlement
Memorandum for DOS and HHS secretaries transitioning the administration of initial resettlement grants and contracts from DOS to HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement.
USCIS IFR Removing Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents
USCIS interim final rule ending the automatic 540-day extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for all renewals filed on or after 10/30/25. The rule applies to all categories previously eligible for the extension. Comments are due 12/1/25. (90 FR 48799, 10/30/25)
CBP Final Rule to Collect Biometric Data from Noncitizens Entering and Exiting the U.S.
CBP final rule to provide that DHS may require noncitizens to be photographed and provide other biometrics when entering and exiting the United States. The rule is effective 12/26/25. Comments are due 11/26/25. (90 FR 48604, 10/27/25)
DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver for Construction of Border Wall in Texas (Del Rio Sector)
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector of Texas. The determination takes effect 10/27/25. (90 FR 48582, 10/27/25)
USCIS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on EB-5 Fees
USCIS notice of proposed rulemaking to adjust Employment-Based Immigration, Fifth Preference (EB–5) immigration benefit request fees, codify elements of the EB–5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, and implement new statutory requirements. Comments are due 12/22/25. (90 FR 48516, 10/23/25)
USCIS Notice Implementing Immigration Parole Fee Required by HR–1 Reconciliation Bill
USCIS notice announcing that it will begin assessing and collecting a new $1,000 fee, as established in HR–1, for any individual who is paroled into the United States and does not meet an exception. This is effective 10/16/25. (90 FR 48317, 10/16/25)
DHS Issues Nine Waivers for Border Wall in AZ, CA, NM, and TX
DHS issued nine notices waiving certain legal requirements to construct barriers and roads near the international border in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. The notices are effective 10/15/25. (90 FR 48281, 48282, 48283, 48284, 48285, 48286, 48287, 48288, and 48289; 10/15/25)
DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver for Construction of Border Wall in New Mexico (El Paso Sector)
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the El Paso Sector of New Mexico. The determination takes effect 10/8/25. (90 FR 48163, 10/8/25)
DOL Interim Final Rule and Request for Comment Amending Hourly AEWR Determination
DOL is issuing an interim final rule as well as a request for comment on its proposal to revise the methodology of determining the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for non-range occupations. Comments are due 12/1/25. (90 FR 47914, 10/2/25).
USCIS Notice of Request to Collect Biographic Information on Immigration Forms
USCIS notice of request to collect biographic and employment information on immigration forms in accordance with EO 14161. Comments due 10/31/25. (90 FR 47318, 10/1/25).
HHS Notice of Revision of ORR Forms Regarding Unaccompanied Children Placement
HHS request for public comment regarding the revision of several ORR forms related to placement and transfer of unaccompanied children into ORR facilities. HHS is requesting a 180-day approval for this request under procedures for expedited processing. Comments due 12/1/25. (90 FR 46898, 9/30/25)
DHS Notice of Extension Without Change of DHS Form 7001
DHS Notice of extension without change of DHS Form 7001, Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Request for Case Assistance Form. Comments are due 10/27/25. (90 FR 46231, 9/25/25)
Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant (H-1B) Workers
On 9/19/25, President Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry of certain nonimmigrant (H-1B) workers, applying a new $100,000 fee to H-1B applications. Subsequent guidance clarified that the fee will only apply to new H-1B applications submitted on or after 9/21/25. (90 FR 46027, 9/24/25)
Executive Order on the Gold Card
On 9/19/25, President Trump signed Executive Order 14351 announcing the Gold Card, a new visa program. To be eligible, a person must make an unrestricted gift of $1 million to the Department of Commerce, or $2 million if a corporation gives the gift on behalf of an individual. (90 FR 46031, 9/24/25)
USCIS NPRM on Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
DHS notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to implement a weighted selection process that would generally favor the allocation of cap-subject H–1B visas to workers at higher wage levels. Comments are due 10/24/25. (90 FR 45986, 9/24/25)
DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver for Construction of Border Wall in California (San Diego Sector)
DHS notice that the DHS Secretary has determined that it is necessary to waive certain legal requirements in order to construct barriers and roads near the international border in the San Diego Sector of California. The determination takes effect 9/23/25. (90 FR 45787, 9/23/25)
DHS Notice of Termination of Temporary Protected Status Designation for Syria
DHS notice that DHS Secretary is terminating the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The designation is set to expire 9/30/25, with termination effective 11/21/25. EADs will expire 11/21/25. (90 FR 45398, 9/22/25)
USCIS Notice of Reinstatement with Change of Request for Cancellation of a Public Charge Bond
USCIS notice of reinstatement with change of Form I-356, Request for Cancellation of a Public Charge Bond. Comments are due by 11/18/25. (90 FR 45238, 9/19/25)
USCIS Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test
USCIS notice that it is reimplementing the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test with modifications. This 2025 Naturalization Civics Test will include fundamentals of American history and government. The test will be administered to those who file applications on or after 10/20/25. (90 FR 45047, 9/18/25)
DHS Announcement of Hungary’s Eligibility for Electronic System for Travel Authorization
DHS announcement that it is normalizing Hungary's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) travel authorization validity period and changing the eligibility for Hungarians traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to the U.S. Changes to be implemented by 9/30/25. (90 FR 45046, 9/18/25)
DHS Notice on New Collection of Social Media Identifier(s) on Immigration Forms
DHS notice and request for comments on a new generic clearance for the collection of social media identifier(s) on immigration forms, in accordance with EO 14161. This will apply to forms N- I-131, I-192, I-485, I-589, I-590, I-730, I-751, and I-829. Comments are due 10/16/25. (90 FR 44693, 9/16/25)