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
Ten Destructive Measures Advanced Under USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli
In this blog post, AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd highlights ten measures undertaken by USCIS's Acting Director which “constitute an abandonment of USCIS's duty to fairly and efficiently facilitate legal immigration“ and urges Congress to hold the agency fully accountable.
Immigration in the 2020 Election
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee member Fiona McEntee describes her plans to use the new 2020 presidential election guide from AILA now, and during the upcoming debates; she also highlights some specific responses garnered from candidates regarding USCIS accountability.
You Are the World’s Heroes
AILA Member Andrea Martinez recently participated in a Netflix Docuseries “Living Undocumented“ and in this blog post she shares the key takeaways from conversations with viewers, namely that audiences feel that the work of immigration attorneys is important, difficult, necessary, and yes, her
Amicus Committee Supports Virginia Asylum Applicant Seeking In-State Tuition
In this blog post, AILA Amicus Committee member Sabrina Damast highlights the impact of amicus efforts, describing them in the context of a case affecting in-state tuition in Virginia for someone in the asylum backlog.
Successful Practice Management from the Ground Up
Ruby Powers, author of the recently released AILA resource “Build and Manage Your Successful Immigration Law Practice (Without Losing Your Mind)“ shares some insights that helped her develop and maintain her own practice, surmounting various challenges.
Searching for Fairness and Transparency – A Firsthand Look at the Port Courts in Laredo and Brownsville
This week, AILA staff Laura Lynch and Leidy Perez-Davis are on the ground to observe and learn about the newly opened “port courts“ which they are describing as a “Due process disaster in the making“ - follow along all week for updates!
We All Need to #HoldUSCISAccountable
In this blog post, AILA Administrative Litigation Task Force leaders Tammy Fox-Isicoff and Ron Klasko urge everyone to do their part to hold USCIS accountable for the unprecedented inaction and delays in adjudications by utilizing resources AILA offers designed to move a case forward.
Life Happens – Making Accommodations for Your Caregiving Workforce
In this blog post, part of the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce's blog post series, AILA member Ann Cun shares her personal family experience and how it shaped her understanding of the need to have flexible options for caregivers to meet personal and professional needs.
Thinking Beyond the Border When U.S. Immigration Hurdles Arise
In this blog post, AILA member Roman Zelichenko and co-author Michelle LePage describe the differences between U.S. and Irish immigration policies related to business needs and how “if the U.S. isn't able to compete, other countries will benefit.“
Ending Protections for World War II Veterans, What’s Next?
In this blog post, Alma Rosa Nieto, member of AILA's Media Advocacy Committee describes the Trump administration's announced termination of a parole program benefitting Filipino World War II veterans and writes, “If we are truly committed to honoring these brave veterans, then we must do all that we
The Trump Administration’s Recent Efforts to Undermine Asylum, Explained
AILA member Catha (Nikki) Lyons describes how the administration's “Asylum Ban 2.0“ is contrary to both domestic and international laws and encourages other lawyers to do their best to inform and educate the public about U.S. laws.
How to Shrink the USCIS Backlog in One Minute or Less
USCIS leadership recently testified about a backlog reduction plan which, AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd argues, would simply move the goalposts and not solve the backlog at all, writing “We deserve a USCIS that rises to its processing time goals, not one that runs from them.“
It Is Time to Stop Detaining Asylum Seekers
Allegra Love urges an end to the detention of asylum seekers, highlighting the immense harm of detention via two videos writing, “It is time we act, so the story of our country is the bravery and resilience of people like Alpha and Luz, and not the brutality of detention that further harms them.R
What Would Fix the Immigration Courts? Well, Independence is a Start!
AILA Secretary Kelli Stump highlights recent efforts by AILA and its partners to urge Congress to establish an Article I immigration court system to ensure that “when cases are as serious as they are, when lies and livelihoods are on the line“ justice is served and people get a fair day in cou
When Will the U.S. Government Stop Detaining and Abusing Migrant Children?
In this blog post, AILA member Ola Mohamed draws attention to the conditions migrant children have been subjected to and encourages a “grassroots movement, a sustained outcry for the abolishment“ of the detention of migrant children.
Why Would A Busy Immigration Lawyer Start a Podcast?
In this blog post, AILA member David Wilks shares his experience launching a podcast to address the “general misunderstanding of how the immigration system works“ that members of the public often seem to share and also includes links to other AILA member podcasts.
Continuing to Build Vital Bridges
In this blog post, adapted from her speech as outgoing AILA president, Anastasia Tonello reflects on the past year and the bridges AILA and our members have built and the impact we have had.
No, Out of Sight Doesn’t Mean Out of Mind This Time
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson shares four concrete steps the administration should take to improve the asylum process rather than try and strong-arm Mexico into helping deny asylum seekers the due process mandated by our laws.
One Way to Tell if it is Paranoia or Good Practice: Ask the Experts
AILA member Amanda Brill shares a recent experience in which lessons learned from other AILA experts in the Athletics, Culture, Entertainment, and Science (ACES) interest group helped her serve her clients, and encourages others to attend the upcoming first-ever ACES conference in August.
Lighting the Beacon of Hope for Our Clients and Our Country
This blog post is adapted from the president's installation speech given by Marketa Lindt at AILA's Annual Conference 2019 in Orlando, FL. A video of the speech is embedded as well.
Why Immigration Lawyers Shouldn’t Do Math
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Sandra Feist shares the math behind where the H-1B fees have been going, supporting more than $5 billion in training and scholarships in STEM fields for Americans and making a huge difference to researchers and educators alike.
President Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” Program Is an Assault on Human Rights
AILA member Isabel Duarte describes a recent immigration court hearing with families impacted by the Remain in Mexico or Migrant Protection Protocols policy, showing how the program harms families and is an assault on human rights and due process.
Immigration Attorneys, It’s Time to Add a Whole New Section to Your Client Screening Sheets
In this blog post, AILA member and ACLU MN Policy Counsel Julia Decker highlights recent changes to social media information collection and the “serious“ civil liberties implications and chilling effect the collection will have.
AILA Bylaws Amendments! Now That I’ve Got Your Attention…
In this blog post, AILA Treasurer Jeremy McKinney urges AILA members to vote on a set of bylaws amendments, writing that while most of them aren't Earth-shattering, there are amendments that would provide much needed “structure, formality, risk management, and most importantly, due process.
Let’s Break Down the Perpetual Foreigner Stereotype
In this blog post, part of the AILA Diversity & Inclusion series, committee member Olivia Lee explores her own family's history and urges all of us to break down the “perpetual foreigner“ stereotypes that divide us.