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
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.
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.