Immigration News
Check out daily roundups of immigration-related news stories, read articles that quote and cite AILA and AILA leadership, and check out analysis from AILA members and leadership on the AILA blog.
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AILA in the News
Browse the Immigration News collection
Knowing the History of “The Huddled Masses”
In this blog post, AILA member and Law Journal author John Medeiros introduces his piece featured in the recent special edition of the AILA Law Journal celebrating AILA's 75 years; his piece “Huddled Masses“ chronicles the history of U.S. immigration and the development of U.S. immigration la
AILA Welcomes USCIS Action to Address Effect of Processing Delays on Families and the U.S. Economy
AILA welcomed news that USCIS will automatically extend work permits for up to 540 days beginning May 4, 2022. AILA President Allen Orr said, “It is a great step forward, but there remain many more simple changes the Biden Administration can and should make to right the ship at USCIS.”
A Special Edition of the AILA Law Journal Celebrates #AILA75Years
In this blog post, we walk through the Spring 2022 edition of the AILA Law Journal which features an interview between editor-in-chief Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia and AILA President Allen Orr, along with special and substantive pieces from AILA members as we celebrate AILA's 75 Years.
AILA Welcomes New Humanitarian Parole Process for Ukrainians, but Administration Needs to Recognize Disparate Treatment of Populations
AILA welcomed the announcement the Biden administration is building out a process to allow U.S.-based individuals and organizations to more easily sponsor Ukrainian refugees but must redouble its efforts to correct what continues to be starkly disparate treatment of other populations.
AILA Welcomes Designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status
AILA welcomed the recent designation of Cameroon for TPS which will protect thousands of Cameroonian nationals currently in the U.S. but noted, “We cannot sacrifice one vulnerable population for another. These decisions must be centered in equity and our common humanity.”
Reopening America’s Doors to Immigration Requires Addressing the Visa Backlog
AILA member Dominique Pando Bucci shares insights into the backlogs facing businesses trying to bring foreign talent to the U.S. and families trying to reunite due to Department of State backlogs and highlights AILA's recommendations for reopening America's doors.
New ICE Guidelines for Its Attorneys Prioritize Prosecutorial Discretion
AILA welcomed the recent memo from ICE Principal Legal Advisor Kerry Doyle directing prosecutors “to use their discretion to look for opportunities to resolve cases promptly and in the interest of justice for all parties involved.” The memo will take effect April 25, 2022.
Why We Need an Independent Immigration Court System
In this video blog post, AILA President-Elect Jeremy McKinney joins Senior Director of Government Relations Greg Chen to discuss the need for immigration court reform and the prospects for the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act which will be marked up by the House Judiciary Committee this week.
AILA Members’ Favorite AC Memories – Part 2
As we continue to celebrate our 75th anniversary year, and look forward to the Annual Conference in June, we asked members to share their favorite memories from Annual Conferences in the past. Today we share memories from three members in the second part of this blog post series.
Ending Title 42 Finally on the Horizon
AILA welcomes the announcement from the Biden Administration that the use of Title 42, a public health law, to expel vulnerable migrants at our border will finally end on May 23, 2022. AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson noted, “This day has been far too long in coming.”
Fulfilling America’s Promise: Helping Immigrant Service Members Naturalize
Margaret Stock shares insights into challenges facing military service members seeking to naturalize and offers information about key resources, including an upcoming webinar, designed to ensure AILA members have the tools they need to help these heroes become citizens.
Collateral Damage: The Consequences of Delays in Immigration
AILA member Vaman Kidambi shares insights into what backlogs and delays at USCIS mean for clients, communities, and our economy, while highlighting the recent AILA policy brief which has concrete recommendations for USCIS to right the ship.
Legal Associations Call for Support of Real Courts, Rule of Law Act (H.R. 6577)
On March 29, 2022, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the National Association of Immigration Judges, and the Federal Bar Association sent a letter to Congress urging support of the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act (H.R. 6577).
AILA Welcomes ICE Announcement to Close Etowah Detention Center
AILA welcomed the news that ICE will close the Etowah Detention Center in Alabama and limit the use of three other detention facilities across the country. AILA Policy Counsel Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock stated, “the next step as the wind down is implemented is the release of individuals.”
Asylum Changes from the Biden Administration Will Not Ensure Due Process as Required by U.S. Asylum Law
AILA and the Council responded to today’s release of an interim final rule related to asylum procedures with deep concern, noting that “the tight deadlines and rapid scheduling of hearings” will undoubtedly curtail due process and interfere with the ability to obtain legal representation.
AILA Members’ Favorite AC Memories – Part 1
As we continue to celebrate our 75th anniversary year, and look forward to the Annual Conference in June, we asked members to share their favorite memories from Annual Conferences in the past. Here are three memorable moments to start us off.
ACLU-NM and Immigrant Rights Groups Call for the Immediate Release of People Detained in Torrance County Detention Facility, and for the Termination o
AILA joined partners in calling for the immediate release, not transfer, of people detained by ICE at the Torrance County Detention Facility following deeply disturbing findings announced by a federal watchdog agency.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Recent Slaying of Immigration Attorney Jim Li in New York
AILA President Allen Orr responded to news that AILA member Jim Li was slain in New York, stating, “It is a tragedy that Jim’s life was cut short, and we will mourn the man he was: someone called to help others.”
Highlighting Inequities: How the U.S. Treats Refugees Varies Widely
AILA Board of Governors member Ally Bolour calls our attention to the disparate treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, comparing the recent experiences of Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Haiti and urging us all to “end the discriminatory treatment of refugees.“
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.“
AILA Welcomes Biden Administration Moves to Help Ukrainian Nationals But More Needs to Be Done on Several Fronts
AILA welcomed the designation of Ukraine for TPS while also calling on the administration to do more for Ukraine, and move rapidly to offer similar protections to nationals of several other countries that already face dire circumstances on the ground such as Cameroon and Haiti.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision Rejecting “Title 42”
AILA President Allen Orr called the D.C. Circuit decision on Title 42 expulsions a “significant victory for the migrant families who have correctly and consistently asserted that the law of this nation protects those fleeing persecution, and for all of us advocating for this cruel policy to end.”
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.