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
An Even Rougher Version of the RAISE Act?
AILA Member John Manley compares the provisions in the RAISE Act (which Congress failed to pass) and the executive actions being taken by the Trump administration during the COVID-19 pandemic and notices some similarities.
Fighting for Freedom from Detention During COVID-19
National Advocacy Counsel Katie Shepherd of the Immigration Justice Campaign shares the recent work with pro bono counsel Gibson Dunn that aims to free immigrants from the appalling conditions at Joe Corley detention facility.
The Administration is Weaponizing COVID-19 to End Immigration
AILA Past President Ira Kurzban details how the Trump Administration has weaponized the COVID-19 pandemic to implement long-sought immigration policies, banning immigrants and non-immigrants alike.
During the Pandemic, We Need H-2A Temporary Workers More Than Ever
In this blog post, AILA law student member Maria Jaramillo highlights the indispensable workers who come to the U.S. on H-2A visas and ensure the U.S. food supply continues, and how employers need to step up and protect them during the pandemic.
USCIS Hypocrisy Reaches New Levels
Asylum experts Dree Collopy and Lindsay Harris highlight the ways in which asylum adjudication inefficiencies have contributed to USCIS' $1.2 billion budget shortfall and urge that Congress hold USCIS accountable, linking to AILA's Take Action on the issue that members of the public can easily use.
Reuniting Mirna’s Family Despite the Immigration Ban
In this blog post, Michael Eatroff shares Mirna's story; she was one of the plaintiffs in the litigation filed by AILA, Justice Action Center, Innovation Law Lab, with pro bono counsel Mayer Brown to protect children from aging out under the April 22 Proclamation.
Stooping to A New Low – USCIS Statement Throws Constitution Out the Window
AILA Member Matt Maiona highlights a recent outrageous USCIS statement in response to the SCOTUS DACA ruling, which showcases the dire need for agency reform, writing, “Perhaps now more than ever, government institutions must strive to restore the faith of Americans in the integrity of government.&#
Tools of the (Immigration Law) Trade
In this blog post, AILA past president Kathleen Campbell Walker reflects on her path into immigration law, the complicated nature of the field, and some of the reasons she reads and re-reads the INA/CFR.
How Do We Respond to the George Floyd Tragedy?
AILA member Paschal O. Nwokocha calls on all immigration attorneys to take concrete steps to address racism and injustice, writing “We cannot be patient anymore; we cannot wait for racial inequality and injustice to recede. We must be involved actors in the future we seek.“
Fight Back Against Chevron Deference in Asylum and Withholding Cases
In this blog post, AILA member Maureen Sweeney previews her AILA Law Journal article and describes several factors litigators can argue weigh against applying Chevron in asylum and withholding cases “and in favor of robust judicial review of BIA and AG decisions.“
Recognizing the Commonality of Our Struggles
AILA Website Editorial Manager Kritika Argawal shares insights about the civil rights movement's impact on immigrants and how we must “recognize the commonality of our struggles with the struggles of Black Americans and take concrete steps to support their fight against racism and injustice.“
Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $1 Billion Dollars Without Changes at USCIS
AILA Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini shares insights from her time at USCIS related to the agency's request to Congress for $1.2 billion, and urges Congress to “ensure that the agency is transparent about its spending, accountable for its inefficiencies, and on track towards f
Where We Are and Where We Need to Be: LaJuan’s Story
In this blog post, AILA Customer Services Manager LaJuan Campbell shares the experience she has had with racism and injustice and the difficult conversations it forced her to have with her son Dominick about America's societal prejudices and how he could stay as safe as possible.
#BlackLivesMatter – Perspectives from the AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee
The AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee is deeply saddened by the recent unjust and tragic police killings of Black Americans and we stand in solidarity for the demands for justice and accountability. This blog post includes four member perspectives and calls for change.
Are We Still Here?
As part of AILA's internal reflection during this time, staff were invited to share perspectives and experiences relating to America's divisive and unjust past, the current situation, and our commitment to a better future. In this blog post, we welcome these insights from Joy Hardy.
Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 in the International Tax Sphere
AILA member Patrick McCormick reviews some of the alterations to Internal Revenue Service policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they could impact multinationals in particular, noting however “we all realize that guidance related to COVD-19 is evolving,“
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID-19 Era – Post 13
AILA Member Kevin Gregg shares his experience during COVID-19 thus far, including the fact that with the time freed up from less travel and commuting, he has started a podcast on precedential immigration decisions.
Who Creates American Jobs?
In response to rumored plans by the administration to tighten nonimmigrant visas, AILA member Doug Penn shares the impact one of his clients has had creating American jobs while in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa and why the administration should not block these job creators from the U.S.
Litigation Works for Clients
AILA Past President Chuck Kuck highlights the H-1B class action litigation and renews the call for plaintiffs, noting “The only way to stop USCIS from continuing to rewrite immigration law through RFE and denial is to challenge them boldly, fiercely, and publicly in the federal courts.“
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID19 Era – Post 11
AILA Member Jennifer Schear offers a glimpse into her work and office situation in Tel Aviv, Israel, and shares how during this time she has gleaned some “valuable insights into law firm management, productivity, efficiency, what and who is truly essential.“
When the World is on Fire, Exceptions Should be the Rule
AILA member Amy Myers shares why USCIS should proactively address non-immigrants' (such as students on OPT) concerns about falling out of status, writing “When we are already in a recognized crisis situation, why should discretionary post-situational relief be the only available remedy?“
Bipartisan Effort Would Help Foreign Doctors, Nurses, and All of Us
AILA's Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini highlights the bill Congress can and should consider quickly to address the physician and nurse shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and the integral role AILA and its members played in urging Congress to take this important issue up.
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID19 Era – Post 10
AILA Member Sabrina Damast shares lessons learned over the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of practice management, writing “I've learned that as prepared as I thought I was for business emergencies, there are still contingencies that I did not think to address.“
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID19 Era – Post 9
AILA BOG member Rekha Sharma-Crawford writes about a silver lining to the lockdown on the blog which “has allowed us to be able to think of ways to use technology to enhance our practices and…may have also opened the door…to finally contemplate work life balance in a way we have never be
Latest AILA Law Journal is Live – Take a Look!
In this blog post, Danielle Polen, AILA's Director of Publications & Online Resources shares some highlights from the latest edition of the AILA Law Journal, hot off the presses this week with articles by leading experts on a wide array of issues affecting immigration law.