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 Mysteries of PERM, Explained
AILA member Vincent Lau describes the importance of knowing the history and context of the PERM process as practitioners become familiar with using the new ETA Form 9089.
Information Overload: A Ride Aboard the USCIS Processing Times Roller Coaster
AILA Policy Associate Paul Stern describes the rollercoaster clients and attorneys find themselves on as they try to determine where their application stands given crisis-level delays and backlogs at USCIS.
The Welcoming Spirit
AILA invited members to share stories of welcome with us as the past two years have brought opportunities to help people, as they come to the U.S. through various ways. AILA members and their communities have opened their arms and hearts to people; this blog post includes several short examples.
Citizenship Matters
AILA New England Chapter Community Based Organizations Committee member Lara Wagner explains the importance, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship and describes a recent Citizenship Day event where chapter members offered legal expertise to help people take the final steps to citizenship.
Priority Dates, Dates for Filing, and Final Action Dates: An Intro to the Visa Bulletin for Adjustment of Status Applicants
In this blog post, AILA member Peter Choi offers a helpful primer for adjustment of status applicants as they attempt to decipher the Visa Bulletin.
And the DREAMers Dream On
AILA member Vaman Kidambi highlights the limbo that DREAMers are still stuck in and urges immigration attorneys to advocate for fairer and more humane immigration laws and policies, writing that immigrants bring “a rich diversity of culture, identity and togetherness“ that benefits us all.
Find a Unicorn, Slay a Dragon: The Categorical Approach, Circa 2023
Michael Vastine describes how he has deployed the “‘categorical approach' challenging many settled notions about what crimes should have immigration consequences“ and previews the upcoming Fall Conference track where “experts will summarize the dominant lines of cases from each Court of Appeal
Recent Child Labor Violations Highlight Need for Critical Labor Reforms
In this blog post, AILA member Shelly Anand and co-author Audrey Moor describe how and why current labor laws fail to protect child workers and urge immigrant rights' advocates and labor law reform advocates to work together to pass legislative reforms that will ensure clear and lasting protections.
Afghanistan – Two Years Later, an Immigration Attorney Reflects
AILA member Mariam Atash reflects on the two years since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and urges everyone to take action and advocate for passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act to protect the many still waiting for safety.
Quick Member Survey Aims to Highlight Some Key Issues Hampering Immigration Courts
AILA Policy and Practice Counsel ManoLasya Perepa urges AILA members to fill out a quick survey to help us better understand EOIR's specialized dockets; the information will help determine whether policies are helping address the backlog while upholding due process.
Immigration Reform Can Protect Our “Golden Years” from the “Silver Tsunami”
As America's population ages and the economy faces the “Silver Tsunami,“ AILA member Aaron Kochenderfer reflects on immigration reform that could help offset coming workforce challenges and help ensure our “Golden Years“ are prosperous.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation (or the Economic Impact of Immigrants)
AILA Media Advo Committee Member Anthony Pawelski shares some key insights into the economic benefits of immigrants in New England states, and how the data shows how our “nation immensely benefit from our immigrant population“ using data from the American Immigration Council's Map the Impact t
A New Way to Offer Immigration Law Expertise to Service Members
Margaret Stock describes the immigration concerns facing many service members and how the new Morgan Lewis Military Immigration Fellow Joanna Kloet will be able to offer help hand in hand with volunteer attorneys assisting via the AILA Military Assistance Program (MAP) effort.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Digging into the Ombudsman’s Take on the USCIS Backlog
AILA's Paul Stern digs into the recently released USCIS Ombudsman's Report which highlights continued backlogs and processing delays, urging readers to take action to help “ensure the agency has the resources needed to chart a course forward where progress is not just a promise, but a reality.“
The Immigration and Nationality Act’s Lost Appellate Rights Warnings
AILA Law Journal author Christopher Boom shares some insights into his recent article, noting that “Taking away appellate rights from noncitizens for not going to their hearings without warning them of this possibility first“ is unjust and contrary to the will of Congress.
State Courts Affect Applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
AILA Law Journal author Madelyn Cox-Guerra shares a bit about her recent article which focused on state court treatment of families as it relates to children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; she hopes the article will spur more research and advocacy.
The PERM Process in the New Age of Remote Work
AILA Law Journal authors Da'Niel Rowan and Eddie Corona share some highlights from their article in the Spring 2023 edition of the journal, noting that outdated regulations aren't meeting the needs of employers and employees given the shift toward remote work.
DACA: Failure is Not an Option!
AILA Past President Victor Nieblas Pradis highlights the contributions DACA recipients have made over the last 11 years since the program's inception and why Congress cannot and must not fail to take action and protect them permanently.
Worksite Ambiguity in the Rise of Work from Home
AILA Law Journal author Bill Stock describes the rise in work-from-home arrangements which has “exposed the shortcomings of existing immigration regulations and the lack of specific guidance from federal agencies“ and urges change; read more about this and other issues in the Spring 2023 editi
The Unchanging H-1B Cap in a Changed Country
Adam Cohen delves into the H-1B visa program, from its inception to the latest registration process debacle, and calls on Congress and the Biden administration to improve the program and adapt it to meet the needs of the U.S. economy now, not the market of more than a generation ago.
A Pragmatic Solution for Climate Refugees
AILA Law Journal author Evan Patton shared some insights from his recent article published in the May 2023 edition, titled “Towards a Pragmatic Solution for Climate Refugees Under Environmental, Human Rights, and Immigration regimes.“
Public Charge and Political Posturing
AILA member Jeremy Weber describes the harmful effect of the Senate-passed resolution aiming to rescind the 2022 public charge rule, noting that AILA will urge President Biden to follow through on his promise to veto the measure if it passes the House.
Help Make a Difference: In-Person and Remote Pro Bono at #AILAAC23
AILA's Senior Pro Bono Associate Erin Lynum describes the pro bono opportunities at AILA's upcoming Annual Conference, which includes both in-person and virtual pro bono clinics; everyone is encouraged to sign up and make a difference.
A Peek Inside the Spring 2023 Edition of the AILA Law Journal
AILA Law Journal Editor-in-Chief Cyrus Mehta gives a look inside the Spring 2023 edition with articles from leading experts and next-generation leaders, writing that “Immigration law's complexities and nuances mean many of us as practitioners feel like we are on the cutting edge every day.“
Practicing Law in TV Land
AILA member Tony Drago describes the impact of using video rather than in-person hearings, writing that while “In 2022, EOIR issued guidance to immigration judges on the use of virtual hearings, but far more clear guidance and standards are needed to ensure fairness.“