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
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Mozaffarimehr and Ally Bolour share insights about the lack of action to reunite families since the Muslim ban was rescinded nearly a year ago and the continued damage caused by discriminatory bans.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.
AILA President Allen Orr Celebrates National Pro Bono Week with RFK Human Rights Award Winner Guerline Jozef and Urges Continued Efforts to Help Haiti
AILA President Allen Orr shared insights as he celebrates National Pro Bono Week with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Winner Guerline Jozef and urges continued efforts to help Haitians in need of protection.
DHS Secretary Strengthens Protections from Enforcement Actions for Sensitive Locations
AILA President Allen Orr welcomed the new sensitive locations memo from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas but noted, “Without accountability, ICE and other DHS agents will have the leeway to continue as they have under the previous administration. That would be disastrous and unacceptable.”
The Fruits of our Afghan Labor Have Arrived
Author Joyce Brake shares insights from her recent pro bono work with Afghan evacuees and helping them find their footing in the new situation they are in; she urges readers to reach out and do the same.
Biden Administration Rightly Removes Artificial Quotas for Immigration Judges
AILA welcomed news that the Biden administration has removed the artificial quotas imposed on immigration judges but urged further action to rescind other Trump-era policies which continue to undercut the integrity and independence of our immigration courts.
Statement from AILA President Allen Orr Regarding National Efforts to Assist Black Migrants
AILA President Allen Orr recognized National Day of Action and National Week of Action for Black Migrants, noting “We will work with our partners to…ensure that those who come to our shores have the meaningful chance to seek protection that our laws, and our integrity, require.”
AILA Welcomes Planned Lift of Travel Restrictions at Land Border Points of Entry
AILA welcomed the announcement that U.S. land border and ferry crossing points of entry would reopen to travelers who are fully vaccinated, in addition to all air travelers, next month and continues to urge the White House to lift the “Title 42” order.
Afghanistan and the United States’ Responsibilities
AILA member Manish Daftari shares insights into the situation facing those fleeing from Afghanistan and the urgent need to simplify processing of vulnerable Afghan evacuees, similar to the treatment of Vietnamese evacuees in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Appeals Court Ruling on Title 42
AILA President Allen Orr stated “The decision of the appeals court to lift the stay on Title 42 expulsions is a travesty, but the fact the Biden administration appealed the original decision was an abandonment of the commitments and principles that the administration pledged to uphold.”