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
Highlighting the Real People in the DACA Stories
AILA member Christopher Kerosky shares an update on the MyAmericanDreams Film Project and asks for help reaching out to stations who can show the documentary which informs viewers about the importance of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its impact on people's lives.
Dispelling Four Myths about the H-1B Visa
In this blog post, AILA Member Sweta Khandelwal addresses and dispels four myths about the H-1B visa program, writing “We need a better system, one that responds to actual supply and demand and acknowledges the fierce global competition for talent.“
Questionable Statistics Used to Shore Up “Urgent” Need for National Guard on U.S.-Mexico Border
As the Trump administration claims an urgent need to deploy the National Guard to the southern border, AILA Member John Manley digs into the statistics used as a basis for those claims and raises some important questions.
Stopping State Bills that Attack Immigrants – A How-To from Georgia
Tracie L. Klinke, chair of the GA/AL AILA Chapter lifts up the concerted and coordinated community effort that led to blocking SB. 452 in Georgia, writing that immigration lawyers must “stand together and stand up for smart, fair, and just immigration law and policy.“
Coming Full Circle
Ally Bolour, AILA's 2018 Annual Conference Committee Chair, reflects on his first AILA AC and what it means to him to come full circle 18 years later to chair this year's conference in CA; he also previews the conference and some of the unique features of this year's AC.
An Insider’s Look at the Immigration System Under Attack
Dagmar Butte, member of AILA's Board of Governors, shares insights into the family immigration system from her personal experience, highlighting why family reunification benefits us all as an integral part of America's past, present, and future.
Behind the “Waiver” Camouflage, A Closed Door Policy for Travel Ban Countries
AILA member Sima Alizadeh shares her experience with the lack of clarity around the waiver process for “Travel Ban 3.0,“ writing that “the majority of individuals who may be eligible for a waiver have been denied one, and in fact, have not been able to properly submit a waiver request“ a
Dismantling the “Invisible Wall” Against Legal Immigration, Brick by Brick
In this blog post, AILA Associate Director of Government Relations Diane Rish shares information about AILA's documenting of the Trump administration's “Invisible Wall“ of policies against legal immigration and how AILA members and the public can work together to tear the wall down.
When Fear Is Just the Beginning
AILA member Ruben Reyes shares how the AILA community came together to try and determine if specific inquiries from USCIS were local or national in scope, writing “National trends are often revealed when local experts start talking and comparing notes. These days, doing so is even more important.
The Deportation Machine Destroys Lives
Kate Voigt, chief editor of AILA's new report, Cogs in the Deportation Machine, highlights how “the administration has gone to great lengths to deport as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, with little regard for the financial cost or the impact upon American communities.“
Government Shutdowns Hurt Americans and Ultimately, America
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee member Katie Sarreshteh shares the anatomy and impact of a government shutdown from the immigration law practitioner's perspective.
Helping DACA Recipients Renew
In this blog post, Sheila Starkey Hahn, chair of AILA's National Pro Bono Committee, highlights how helping with DACA renewal clinics and advocating for the Dream Act can change lives, writing “Let's show everyone again that #AILAStandsWithDreamers.“
Halfway Around the World, An Immigration Lawyer On-the-Ground in a Refugee Crisis
AILA member Larry Sandigo shares his experience volunteering in Greece with Syrian refugees and some of the stories of the terror and violence that forced them to flee their homeland for the possibility of security in a new country.
Working Together as Change Agents
AILA President Annaluisa Padilla shares how the Immigration Justice Campaign is marshalling new resources to increase the representation of detained immigrants, including the recently launched interactive website with information about successes, trainings, and pro bono opportunities.
The Myth of the “Good Guy” Visa
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Doug Penn shares insights from his immigration practice, explaining why, despite what probably seems reasonable, there is no such thing as a “good guy visa“ in the context of immigration law.
Mission Mis-Statements
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Sandra Feist compares the stated mission of USCIS with what immigrants are experiencing, warning that “Huge damage has been done. Individuals who have faced…the unpredictability of our current system will urge the next generation of immigrants to stay away.
The Senate Debate Begins: Let Your Voice Be Heard
In this blog post, Mo Goldman, member of AILA's Media Advocacy Committee, highlights the current debate in the Senate on immigration and urges AILA members and the public to get involved and engage on this issue by making their voices heard as the debate ramps up.
On Fatherhood and Motherhood in the Immigration Law Context
In this blog post, AILA member Alexander Carl highlights a clearly outrageous “example of how our immigration laws have not kept up with the times“ when it comes to how LGBT parents are treated differently when it comes to determining the citizenship of their children.
H-4 Work Permits: A Feminist Perspective
Sandra Feist, member of AILA's Media Advocacy Committee, highlights the challenges facing H-4 spouses as the administration threatens to take away their work permits and urges Congress to “provide a path for H-4 spouses to fully participate in and contribute to their communities.“
Deal or No Deal, We Stand With the Dreamers
AILA National Treasurer Allen Orr describes the current efforts to protect Dreamers and urges the administration to get behind legislation with bipartisan support that makes sense both fiscally and morally, rather than forcing a stalemate that could result in the deportation of Dreamers.
Closed for Business
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Matt Maiona takes a look at the already marked demand for H-2B visas and the potential impact on American employers and the economy when these key seasonal positions aren't filled.
“I-Squared,” Not RAISE, Would Lift America Up
In this blog post, AILA Director of Government Relations Betsy Lawrence breaks down the provisions of the Immigration Innovation or I-Squared Act introduced by Senators Hatch and Flake and describes what the bill's provisions would do to boost U.S. businesses and the American economy.
People Are Stepping Up to Help with DACA Fees
In this blog post, AILA member Kara Lynum shares how the public is supporting DACA recipients by covering the filing fee for renewal applications, highlighting the recent example of an impromptu campaign that has brought in more than $23,000 thus far to hep Dreamers in Minnesota.
Family Matters – Love, Support and Entrepreneurship
In this blog post, AILA Associate Director of Government Relations Diane Rish describes the reality of our family-based immigration system, writing that “as a cornerstone of American history and American values, family-based immigration can and must be protected, not derided with lies.“
The Doctor is In, Let’s Not Send Her Out
AILA Second Vice President Jennifer Minear reflects on the “vital and sustained contributions that immigrants are making to our society on a daily basis“ in the healthcare field, and the potential impact of anti-immigrant policies on medically underserved populations in the U.S.