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
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.
The Fight on Behalf of Transgender Asylum Seekers Detained in Pearsall
AILA Senior Counsel of Pro Bono Program Jocelyn Dyer highlights recent wins for transgender asylum seekers detained in Pearsall as part of the Immigration Justice Campaign and urges readers to get involved to help more detained immigrants get a fair day in court.
Advocacy in Action: Congress Demands Answers from USCIS
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Fiona McEntee reflects on NDA 2019 and the successful effort to have Congress hold USCIS accountable for crisis-level processing delays.
But the Royal Baby Actually is a U.S. Citizen…
AILA member John Manley explains why the citizenship of the new British royal baby is even a question, and highlights some of the complexities of U.S. immigration law.
A Spotlight on Misinformation
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson details recent misinformation from the president about the border, immigrants, and asylum seekers, and notes, “Sadly, the Trump administration's border enforcement strategy remains largely unchanged even as the nature of the challenge has changed dramatically.R
Michelle Angela Ortiz: Illuminating Injustice Through Art
AILA Senior Legal Editor Rizwan Hassan highlights a visual artist and community educator, Michelle Angela Ortiz, who has brought attention to families detained in Berks, PA, writing “we must use whatever skills and talents we have at our disposal to battle the injustices we see.“
USCIS Acknowledges That Its Own Policies Compound Case Processing Delays
AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd highlights data from a recent USCIS response to Congress, noting evidence that “USCIS policies are undermining the agency's statutory mandate to efficiently process applications and petitions for immigration benefits“ and calling for USCIS to be held to account.
A New Resource on Immigration Law: AILA Law Journal is Live!
In this blog post, AILA President Anastasia Tonello announces the inaugural edition of the AILA Law Journal, highlighting the articles and themes within the seven pieces and inviting articles for future editions.
“What Do You Mean I’m Not a U.S. Citizen?”
In this blog post, AILA member Tracie Klinke shares some situations and tough questions she has encountered recently in practicing family immigration law and how her experiences have fed into the development of sessions for AILA's Annual Conference Family Track.
Americans Abroad Among Those Being Left in the Lurch by the Trump Administration
AILA member Jeremy Weber shares insights into the vital role USCIS International Operations serve and highlights how closure of those offices will negatively impact all too many Americans, their families, American businesses, and refugees.