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
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.
The Costanza High Note Walk Off and a Happy Festivus!
In this blog post, AILA's first director of federal litigation, Jesse Bless, reflects on the battles fought and partnerships forged during his service at AILA.
Legislation to Protect Dreamers is Vital
AILA member Paúl A. Pirela shares insights about his work for the AILA Law Journal article he authored on the history of DACA and DREAM litigation as well as the legislation which has sadly languished for decades now and means young people brought to the U.S. as children can still face deportation.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Announced Measures to Strengthen Central America Through Public-Private Partnerships
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed news from Vice President Kamala Harris about planned measures to strengthen Central America through public-private partnerships, noting that such measures must be managed with transparency and the input of civil society.
Tackling Inequality – a Human Rights Day Reflection
In this blog post, part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee's blog post series, AILA member Roland Luo shares insights about the importance of International Human Rights Day and what we can each do to give meaning to the universality of human rights.
The Plight of International Adoptees
The plight of international adoptees, many of whom can still face deportation led AILA member Mara Weisman to write a piece for the Fall 2021 edition of the AILA Law Journal; in this video blog post she shares insights about why this issue is important and how readers can help fight this injustice.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Biden Administration Recognition of Immigration Judges’ Labor Union
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed news that the Biden administration reversed the position taken by the previous administration and has once again recognized the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) as the labor union for immigration judges.
AILA Welcomes Merger of American Immigration Council and New American Economy
AILA welcomes the merger of the American Immigration Council and the New American Economy into a unified American Immigration Council which “will have a dramatic impact on the lives of immigrants, the lawyers and organizations who represent them, and communities all over the country.”
Writing about that Department of State Automatic Revalidation Process
AILA member Peter Choi shares insights after writing an article for the Fall 2021 edition of the AILA Law Journal entitled Examining Automatic Revalidation; in this video blog post he explains a bit more about how he used aila.org's trove of documents researching his piece.
AILA Deeply Disappointed in Even Temporary Resurrection of MPP
AILA is deeply disappointed that politically motivated Attorneys General of Missouri and Texas have managed to temporarily resurrect the inhumane “Migrant Protection Protocols” known as Remain in Mexico, noting the result will be to undermine U.S. asylum laws and traumatize vulnerable immigrants.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Latest Travel Bans
AILA President Allen Orr urged the Biden administration to implement common-sense reforms that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while reopening America, instead of travel bans that only serve to validate xenophobic and racist attitudes.
Family Separations that First Occurred Under the Trump Muslim and Africa Bans Continue
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee members Roujin Mozaffarimehr and Ally Bolour share insights about the lack of action to reunite families since the Muslim ban was rescinded nearly a year ago and the continued damage caused by discriminatory bans.
Four Members’ Reflections on AILA’s 75 Years
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, four AILA members reflect on what they see as AILA's greatest strengths and the relationships they've built during their membership of AILA.
A Little about that “Einstein” Visa
In this blog post, AILA Law Journal author Sasha Kaskel shares some insights about the “Einstein“ visa and how immigration attorneys might approach client cases; AILA members can read her full article and other pieces in their free digital copy of the journal.
House Passes Immigration Measures as Part of Build Back Better Act
AILA welcomed the House passage of the Build Back Better Act which contains several immigration provisions, noting “While this is a critical first step, we still need real, lasting reform to our immigration laws to build out an immigration system that will actually work for America.”
More than 40 Human and Civil Rights Leaders: Ongoing Mistreatment and Expulsions of Haitians and Asylum Seekers Will Stain Biden’s Legacy
AILA President Allen Orr and 42 other organizational leaders urge the Biden administration to change course, as it fails “to do the right thing at our Southern border and is causing harms to thousands of Black and Brown asylum seekers, families and individuals seeking protection.”
Our Nation’s First People
AILA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee member Christine Alden reflects on the meaning of Native American Heritage month and urges readers to learn more in order to “help protect and preserve this important culture.“
Major Settlement Changes How USCIS Adjudicates Work Permits for Nonimmigrant Spouses
AILA and litigation partners Wasden Banias and Steven Brown celebrate the historic settlement with DHS in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, which provides structural changes for nonimmigrant H-4 and L-2 spouses suffering from long-delayed processing times for EAD applications.
AILA and Members File Class Action Challenging Huge USCIS Processing Delays on Work Permits
49 plaintiffs represented by AILA, Farshad Owji, Aaron Hall, Charles Kuck, and Greg Siskind filed a class action lawsuit against DHS and USCIS over the extreme processing delays on applications for EADs for noncitizens who are seeking Adjustment of Status (AOS) and E-2 nonimmigrant spouses.
No More Sleeps ‘til the End of the Travel Ban
As many fully vaccinated grandparents finally get to travel to see grandkids this week after months-long separations, AILA member Fiona McEntee welcomes the reunions while also urging continued advocacy to help other families reunite.
Breaking Down the Invisible Wall: It’s Past Due!
AILA member Mo Goldman shares a recent example of how the antiquated systems at USCIS Customer Service caused concern and wasted time as he sought to help a client and offers ideas of how to increase efficiency.
Leading AILA: Beyond our 75th Year
AILA President Allen Orr reflects on what it means to be AILA's president in this 75th year and highlights some fun ways to remember some key milestones and share your own fond memories of AILA this year.
AILA Welcomes Termination Memo Intended to End the “Migrant Protection Protocols” Permanently
AILA welcomed the Biden administration’s memo to terminate the “Migrant Protection Protocols”, with AILA President Allen Orr noting, “May this be the beginning of the final end to this despicable program undermining U.S. asylum law.”
U.S. Employers Settle Lawsuit Challenging USCIS’ Unlawful Denial of H-1B Petitions Filed by American Businesses
AILA and our litigation partners announced the approved settlement in a class action lawsuit challenging USCIS’s pattern and practice of arbitrarily denying H-1B nonimmigrant employment-based petitions for market research analyst positions.