Blog: Think Immigration
We believe that immigration law is an integral part of America’s past, present and future. We also know that immigration law is complicated. Here you’ll find experts writing in an accessible way about immigration issues, from big, broad ideas down to specific cases. Our members bring knowledge they’ve gleaned from the daily practice of immigration law to this space and offer their expertise to readers.
Browse the Blog: Think Immigration collection
The Importance of HBCUs – An Immigration Lawyer’s Perspective
As part of the Diversity & Inclusion blog post series, Christine Alden shares her personal experience as a student and graduate of an HBCU, along with some of the history around her alma mater, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Powering Prosperity under a New Administration, in a Still Distanced World
AILA member Ruth McChesney offers some useful tips about how she regularly reviews financial information to inform her understanding of her firm's productivity and previews the practice management track at the upcoming AILA MidWinter Conference
Trump’s “Midnight Rule” Ties Immigration Judges’ Hands
In this blog post, AILA members and CLINIC attorneys Vickie Neilson and Jonathan Langer describe how the Trump administration's midnight rulemaking has harmed clients, including one rule that prevents judges from reopening old removal orders.
The ABC’s of the APA: A Layperson’s Guide
Helena Tetzeli, member of the AILA Media Advocacy Committee, shares insights into what the Administrative Procedure Act is and how it impacts implementation or revocation of immigration policy changes.
Productivity and Motivation in a Distanced World
AILA member Hardeep “Dee“ Sull shares insights she has gleaned on productivity, motivation, and innovation during this pandemic and our new remote-work world. Learn more on this issue at AILA's MidWinter conference coming up March 2, 2021.
Immigrant Healthcare Workers Are Essential to the U.S. Comeback
AILA member Aaron Kochenderfer highlights the many contributions of immigrant healthcare workers, made more visible to all of us during the pandemic, and urges support for legislation that offers more of these heroes access to lawful permanent status.
A New Win-Win Model for Access to Counsel on Immigration
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee member Tahmina Watson describes an innovative partnership in Washington State that is a win-win model, ensuring immigrants have access to counsel.
It Should Have Been a Better “Day” on Immigration
AILA Director of Federal Litigation Jesse Bless underscores how important it is for President Biden to rescind the non-immigrant and immigrant visa bans, noting in particular how diversity visa lottery winners are being harmed.
Longtime Military Assistance Program Volunteer Mo Goldman Shared Some Good News
AILA member and longtime volunteer with the Military Assistance Program (MAP) Mo Goldman shared some good news about an Army reservist he was linked up with who just took the oath and became a citizen! Watch the video and if you are inspired you can get more information about volunteering yourself.
Taking Pro Bono Virtual
AILA Pro Bono Committee Chair Adonia Simpson offers reasons engaging virtually on pro bono activities can be efficient and effective and highlights some easy to plug into opportunities for AILA members.
Farewell (Perhaps?) Mr. Wolf. Hello Secretary Mayorkas!
In this blog post AILA SoCal Chapter Media Liaison John Manley takes a stab at breaking down the tenure of Chad Wolf as Acting Secretary of DHS and the back and forth during the end of the Trump administration as we look forward to new leadership at the agency.
Prolonged and Indefinite Detention is Inhumane and Must End
In this blog post, Immigration Justice Campaign National Advocacy Manager Katy Murdza describes how ICE is indefinitely detaining people far past the time allowed by law, and why the Justice Campaign will be advocating for the use of proven alternatives to detention in 2021 and the abolition of immi
Shocking, Despicable, Injustice on Display
AILA President Jennifer Minear reflects on the events of January 6, 2021 and the inequality and injustice on full display, and offers some ideas of what we can and should be doing.
Screaming Into the Void: 5 Reasons to Always Comment on Proposed Regulations
AILA member Sarah Pitney shares insights into why they participate in public comment campaigns and why all AILA members should do the same to benefit their clients, share their expertise, and hopefully ensure better regulations result.
Our Immigration Laws Were Last Updated Before the Internet Was a Thing
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Tammy Lin of San Diego reflects on the last major reforms made to U.S. immigration laws by Congress and why we “can and should push for updating our immigration system now with this new administration.“
Top AILA Videos and Blog Posts of 2020
This blog post highlights the most-read blog posts and most-watched videos AILA published and produced in 2020 - take a look, learn something new, and see you in 2021!
Trump Pardons Border Patrol Agents Bringing A Familiar Pain for Our Border Communities
Andrew Nietor, chair of AILA's Southern Border Taskforce, shares insights into President Trump's recent pardon of former Border Patrol agents and the harmful impact of this and other actions by his administration on border communities.
Hopes for 2021 and the New Administration
Several members of the AILA Media Advocacy Committee shared their hopes for the incoming administration and what next year may bring, including changes both large and small to make our immigration system more fair and just.
A “Wish List” on Immigration
The Lady Immigration Lawyers of Minnesota celebrated the season with their own rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You“ this year and shared some of their wishes in this blog post for Think Immigration.
Digital Evidence in the Immigration Law Context
AILA member Gabriela Pinto Vega and coauthor Andrew Wellisch share insights in these two videos about their article on digital evidence featured in the AILA Law Journal Fall 2020 edition, transcripts follow.
Why I Do Federal Court Immigration Litigation: A Short Elegy
AILA member Brad Banias reflects on why he began focusing on federal court litigation and the case that started him down that path, highlighting the tremendous impact of Judge G. Ross Anderson who recently passed away
An Immigrant’s Reflection on the 2020 Election Results
AILA member Paschal O. Nwokocha shares his insights as an immigrant and immigration attorney about the work to be done post-election and how we all can work together to ensure that “America is once more open to the world.“
The Burden of Proof for Revoking Spousal Petitions
AILA Law Journal article author Nathan Chan shares some insights into his recent article on marriage bona fides answering some questions from AILA Editorial Director Danielle Polen.
Some Experiences as a Black Female Immigration Attorney
Part of the Diversity and Inclusion Blog Post Series In 1998, I moved to Mississippi from my hometown of Detroit, Michigan to work as a reference librarian at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. I had always had one foot in the law and one foot outside it. In 1997, I earned a […
YOU Can Do Something about Trump’s Illegal H-1B Changes
AILA Media Advocacy Committee member, and expert on business immigration, Sandra Feist highlights the problems with the recent H-1B salary level rule and urges attorneys and members of the public to take action and submit a comment before the comment period closes Dec 2.