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
AILA’s Most Popular Practice Success Tip
In this video blog post, AILA PPC leaders Reid Trautz and Charity Anastasio share the most popular practice success tip as a way to celebrate the myriad resources developed to help members run a practice during AILA's 75 years.
Raising the Bar: Reflections on International Women’s Day
As we celebrate this International Women's Day, AILA Immediate Past President Jennifer Minear shares her gratitude for “the women of AILA and for the role they play in our lives and our community.“
Let’s Give a Hand to AILA Members Doing Amazing Pro Bono Work!
AILA's Practice and Professionalism Center works with AILA members to help them engage in pro bono activities; this Think Immigration post is an opportunity to learn and get inspired by three of our recent Pro Bono High Five videos.
Generations Later, Another Evacuation Effort Stalls
AILA member and volunteer Spojmie Nasiri shares a recent experience when she met a Vietnamese refugee whose story strengthened her resolve to help Afghan evacuees and reminded her of the interconnectedness of all our lives.
Immigrant Women are Entrepreneurs
In this blog post, part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion series, AILA South Florida DEI chair Tarsila Talarico explains the data showing how important a force immigrant women entrepreneurs are and the resilience and strength they bring to bear as they start businesses and benefit the U.S. econ
“Wait, But Isn’t Pot Legal?” – Immigration Law and Cannabis Present Traps for the Unwary
AILA 2022 Border Issues Conference Co-Chair Scott Railton describes the current landscape where cannabis legalization and immigration law collide, highlighting how complicated it is and the need for Congress to act.
Favorite Success Tips of AILA Members
As AILA celebrates its 75th year, we invited members to “Share Your Favorite Success Tip Gleaned from AILA,“ and we are delighted to share this blog post featuring those tips.
“Remember who you are!” A Nation in Need of Knowing its History
In this blog post, AILA member Vaman Kidambi shares insights into the new USCIS mission statement and how it recognizes and honors our nation's diversity and he also highlights the important work of the Council's Center for Inclusions and Belonging.
Did the National Interest Waiver Just Get Easier?
AILA member Peter Rees explains a recent update to the National Interest Waiver determination guidance, which could allow for more NIW grants particularly for advanced STEM degree holders and entrepreneurs,
U.S. Asylum Laws and the People of Haiti
AILA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee member Jamel Connor describes the profoundly unjust situation Haiti and its people face and why this Black History Month she reflects on the country's history and urges the U.S. to stop turning its back on Haitian immigrants.
Biden Is Failing on His Campaign Promise to End Private Immigration Detention
In this blog post, AILA Policy Counsel Jen Whitlock describes how President Biden has failed to fulfill his campaign promise to end the use of private prisons and why AILA and our partners will continue to push for these inhumane practices to end.
My Moment – When Immigration Law Became My Path, Part 3
As AILA celebrates our 75th year, we invited members to “Share the Moment You Realized Immigration Law Was for You“ and we are delighted to share the third blog post featuring those moments; this post includes four members' stories.
Let’s Make International Entrepreneur Parole Great (or Even Feasible): An Open Letter to the Biden Administration
AILA Media Advocacy Committee chair Fiona McEntee and member Tahmina Watson explain why the Biden administration needs to make changes to the International Entrepreneur Parole program in order to ensure our country has a workable immigration option for startup entrepreneurs.
My Moment – When Immigration Law Became My Path, Part 2
As AILA celebrates our 75th year, we invited members to “Share the Moment You Realized Immigration Law Was for You“ and we are delighted to share the second blog posts featuring those moments; this post includes four members' stories.
Making the Case for Nurse H-1Bs
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee member Adam Cohen highlights why the Biden administration “must do more to allow foreign nurses to bring their desperately needed skills to the U.S.“ in particular by rescinding the 2015 memo that prevents eligibility for most nurse positions un
My Moment – When Immigration Law Became My Path, Part 1
As AILA celebrates our 75th year, we invited members to “Share the Moment You Realized Immigration Law Was for You“ and we are delighted to share the first of several blog posts featuring those moments; this post includes four members' stories.
This Should be Written By Someone Else
AILA Asylum and Refugee Committee Member Lindsay Harris shares the plight of her Afghan clients and the solutions that Congress and USCIS need to enact and implement as so many families face unnecessary trauma and hardship.
Removal Proceedings in the Time of COVID
Jonathan Willmoth reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on court proceedings and the Biden administration's efforts to expand prosecutorial discretion, two areas he looks forward to learning more about at the upcoming AILA Virtual Midwinter Conference.
This is the Year of the Tiger; Let’s Start 2022 with Courage and Compassion
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Vice Chair Evangeline Chan reflects on the meaning of the Lunar New Year which will usher in the Year of the Tiger on February 1, 2022, urging all of us to be courageous and compassionate and fight injustice this year.
How About the Immigration Agency Does Its Job?
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Matt Maiona describes what is happening due to extreme USCIS delays on employment authorization documents and the impact backlogs and inefficiencies are having on the economy and communities across the nation.
Custody Redetermination Hearings and Material Change in Circumstances
AILA Law Journal author Matthew Boles shares some insights about researching and writing about custody redetermination and why he hopes his AILA Law Journal article on the subject can help other practitioners across the country advocate in front of immigration judges.
Top Five AILA Video Topics and Think Immigration Posts in 2021
In this blog post, the AILA Comms Team takes a look back at the most popular video topics of 2021 as well as the most popular blog posts, spanning topics from immigration reform in the reconciliation bill to litigation updates, to backlogs and needed policy changes as we head into 2022.
The Civil Penalty of Deportation
In this video blog post, AILA law student member and AILA Law Journal author Angela Landa describes her interest and research into how the supposedly “civil“ penalty of deportation has been applied in the criminal context and how changes could be made to ensure due process.
Self-care: The Ultimate Advocacy Tool
In this blog post, AILA Media and Advocacy Committee member Tahmina Watson emphasizes the importance of self-care as we prepare to advocate in 2022 for the immigration reform our country and clients need.
75 Years of Friendships, Education, and Community
In this blog post, part of a months-long series leading up to the formal celebration of AILA's 75th year at the upcoming Annual Conference in June, 2022, three AILA members reflect on what AILA has brought to their lives and livelihoods, including friendships, professional successes, and community.