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
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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.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to SCOTUS Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, noting she has “legal knowledge of immense depth and breadth” and is someone “who embodies the strength that comes through diversity and inclusion.”
AILA Calls on Biden Administration to Help Ukrainian Nationals as Russia Invades
AILA calls on the Biden administration to move immediately to help Ukrainian nationals as Russia invades Ukraine, including expeditious processing and humanitarian relief such as Temporary Protected Status and a moratorium on removals.
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.
Eighty-Five Immigrant and Human Rights Groups Call for Investigation and Demand Private Prison Ban Extend to ICE Detention
AILA and our partners requested the DHS and DOJ OIGs review the implementation of President Biden’s EO phasing out DOJ’s use of private prisons; the request was supported by 85 immigrant and human rights groups that delivered a complementary letter demanding the findings be made public.
AILA: USCIS Needs to Give Meaning to the Words of Its New Mission Statement
AILA applauded the Biden administration’s rewrite of the USCIS mission statement which clearly signals a more welcoming and respectful attitude towards immigrants and recognition of the importance of immigration to America’s success.
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.
AILA, NALEO Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans Team Up for Virtual and In-Person Citizenship Events
AILA is proud to join NALEO Educational Fund and NPNA for AILA’s 16th Citizenship Day, taking place virtually and in-person at 20+ events across the country on or around Saturday, February 12, 2022, to help lawful permanent residents take the final steps toward U.S. citizenship.
AILA Welcomes Legislation to Create Independent Immigration Court
AILA welcomed newly introduced legislation that would create an independent immigration court system. The “Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2022” was introduced by Representatives Lofgren (D-CA), Nadler (D-NY), and Johnson (D-GA), following two hearings on this issue over the past few years.
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.
Capital Good Fund and AILA Partnership Brings Financial Support to Immigrant Communities
Capital Good Fund and AILA have launched a national program to give AILA members the benefit of offering an affordable financing option to their clients, allowing more people to access legal representation.
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.
AILA Welcomes Administration’s Changes to Attract and Retain STEM Talent
AILA welcomed policy changes that will help America attract and retain individuals with STEM expertise. President Allen Orr noted, “These changes are in line with several recommendations AILA has urged the Biden administration to consider as part of our Vision for a Welcoming America.”
One Year Later, Promises on Immigration Have Fallen Short
AILA reviewed and analyzed the Biden administration’s promises on immigration and the actions taken, or not taken, in our new report. “Still Striving – The First Year of the Biden Administration” covers promises kept and those left unfulfilled in the year since President Biden’s inauguration.
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.