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 Chess Prodigy and Asylum Policy
AILA member and Senior Legal Editor Rizwan Hassan writes about the recent New York State Scholastic Chess child champion Tanitoluwa Adewumi as an example of the asylum seekers and refugees who have made America great over generations, urging that we take action and call for good immigration policy.
Lift the H-1B Cap to Benefit U.S. Employers and U.S. Workers
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Doug Penn describes how lifting the cap on H-1B visa numbers could “help the large and small employers who need employees with these skills to meet workforce demands, build up U.S. workforce training programs, and enhance fraud detection and prevention efforts.&#
Saluting AILA’s Women Trailblazers
In this blog post for Women's History Month, the women on AILA's Executive Committee recognize some of the many women who have played a key role in the history of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Despite the #MeToo Movement, Roll-Backs in Protection Endanger Immigrant Women: It is Time for #ImmigrantWomenToo
In this blog post, Morgan Weibel shares the importance of humanitarian protections for immigrant victims of sexual assault and violence, how they are being undermined, and the need to unite behind the move to recognize and address the plight of #ImmigrantWomenToo.
14 Year Odyssey to get U.S. Citizenship Back After Forced Renunciation
In this blog post, AILA member Alice Yardum-Hunter recounts the fourteen year battle her client fought to regain his citizenship which he had not voluntarily renounced.
Read All About It: ABA Report Calls for Independent Immigration Courts
Jeremy McKinney describes what he is seeing in his practice which underscores the need for an independent immigration court, a call echoed by the American Bar Association's new report on the immigration system released March 20, 2019.
Harnessing the Power of Social Media as an Immigration Attorney
William Stock, past AILA president and active social media user, describes some techniques and tactics for engaging on social media and harnessing the power of several digital platforms to help you develop your brand and establish yourself as a thought leader.
The View from the Chair
In this blog post, part of the AILA Diversity & Inclusion series, committee member Caroline Ostrom explains how “incorporating ways to include those with disabilities into your practice as colleagues, employees, and clients, makes business sense and is the right thing to do.“
On-the-Ground Advocacy at a Women and Children’s Detention Center
Recent Dilley Pro Bono Project volunteers and AILA law student members Alex George and Carolina Solano share their experience helping mothers and children incarcerated in Texas, the impact of recent policies and decisions, and why we need to #EndFamilyDetention.
Re-imagine the H-1B to Match Our Economy’s Needs
AILA First VP Jennifer Minear explains the impact of new policies USCIS Director Cissna recently highlighted in a CNN op-ed, noting that “We don't need to reconfigure the logistical administration of the outdated and ill-equipped H-1B system that we have. We need to re-imagine that system…R
“Migrant Protection Protocols” Policy is a Death Sentence for Asylum Seekers
Katie Shepherd, National Advocacy Counsel for the Immigration Justice Campaign, writes about the immense harm and due process obstacles asylum seekers will face in light of the “Migrant Protection Protocols“ or “Remain in Mexico“ policy, and why Secretary Nielsen must immediately halt it
USCIS Processing Delays Soared While Application Rates Fell
AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd highlights newly released USCIS data and shows how the new information “has cast an even harsher glare on the agency's well-documented failure to process its caseload in a timely fashion.“
Black Immigrant History is Part of Black History Month
In this blog post, part of the AILA Diversity & Inclusion series, AILA Second Vice President Allen Orr recognizes Black History Month, shares important research and analysis, and writes, “In the drive for immigration reform, black immigrants must not be forgotten or left out of the equation.“
Shining Some FOIA Light on the Immigration Courts
AILA Senior Policy Counsel Laura Lynch describes an EOIR memo, obtained via FOIA by AILA and the American Immigration Council, which lays out a plan, purportedly to lessen the immigration court backlog but which has done the opposite, bloating the backlog and undermining due process.
America’s Seasonal Worker Visa Program Desperately Needs an Update
In this blog post, AILA member Adam Greenberg explains the benefits of the H-2B visa program and the significant obstacles employers face trying to bring in seasonal workers, including artificially low caps on the number of visas, and technical problems like the iCERT system failing in early January
Governing with Blinders On
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson describes how the border security debate ignores how border enforcement “works in the real world“ and highlights how our “immigration system is very much out of step with economic and social reality.“
Tool Time: What You Need to Sue the Government
AILA member Lori Chesser describes how business immigration law experts may want to explore litigation as an option for clients and highlights her recent win along with some useful AILA resources.
AILA Stands with Our Members Against Government Retaliation
In this blog post, AILA President-Elect Marketa Lindt and AILA Treasurer Jeremy McKinney describe recent troubling events which could impact access to counsel for asylum seekers at the border and avow “We stand with our members…We stand ready to fight.“
Agency Delays Enact the Administration’s Immigration Agenda
AILA Member Sandra Feist highlights another brick in the Trump administration's “invisible wall“ relating to delays and obstacles to I-751 petitioners and the significant impact those delays can have on immigrants who “got in line“ and their families as well.
Matter of A-B-: Case Updates, Current Trends, and Suggested Strategies
AILA Asylum and Refugee Committee Chair Dree Collopy describes Matter of A-B- and its potential impact on asylum law and previews an upcoming webinar on the topic that is open to interested practitioners.
AILA Analysis Reveals Crisis-Level Delays in USCIS Case Processing
In this blog post, AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd shares key points from AILA's recent policy brief and explains how USCIS processing delays have reached crisis levels under the Trump administration.
End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act: What’s Wrong with the Trump-McConnell Bill
AILA Member Sabrina Damast highlights the damaging provisions in the bill supported by the administration to end the shutdown which would negatively impact Dreamers, TPS-recipients, and asylum seekers.
Go to Tijuana. Go Now.
In this blog post, AILA members Kara Lynum and Christina Brown describe their experience volunteering at the border with asylum seekers and urge other AILA members and the public to take action as well!
Unintended Consequences
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Matthew Maiona highlights the unintended consequences of the shutdown, including a halt to the E-Verify program which allows U.S. employers to check the eligibility of applicants to work.
Serious about Border Security?
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson takes a look at the real dangers to U.S. border security, writing “Were the President serious about border security, he would focus his administration's attention and resources on the transnational criminal cartels who deal drugs, run guns, and launder money.̶