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.
Are you a member who was quoted in a news story? Contact newsroom@aila.org to let us know.
Are you a member of the press? Visit the Press Room.
AILA in the News
Browse the Immigration News collection
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.”
AILA: Implementation Will Show if New ICE Guidelines Go Far Enough
AILA welcomed new guidelines announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas which would shape actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents across the country.
“Thank You, Next”: What the State Department Needs to Do Since Travel Bans Are Being Rescinded
AILA Policy Associate Paul Stern welcomes the rescission of the regional travel bans that will take effect in November but urges additional changes recommended by AILA because “The Department of State faces an uphill battle to overcome the significant delays and backlog created by the pandemic.̶
Curbing Entropy in my Practice – Life Lessons About Matters Pending Before the Service
In this blog post, AILA member Vaman Kidambi shares common concerns immigration attorneys and their clients deal with as they wait because of USCIS processing delays and highlights some of the AILA recommended solutions that could effect change.
Helping Afghan Refugees Brings Me Full Circle
In this blog post, AILA member Spojmie Nasiri shares insights and information about the situation facing Afghan evacuees and how we can help. She was interviewed by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair Ban Al-Wardi.
Somos – Razones Para Celebrar; We are – Reasons to Celebrate
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee member Ruben Reyes shares his story and perspective on the discussion around National Hispanic Heritage Month and invites readers to learn from and listen to each other, writing “This is an American story, and it is ours to live.“
AILA Executive Director Welcomes New Direction at EOIR
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson welcomed the appointment of David Neal to be Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
AILA: Goal of Resettling More Refugees Promising But Biden Must Do More
AILA welcomed President Biden’s move to increase the refugee “cap” to 125,000 for FY2022, but AILA President Allen Orr hoped, “the administration will recognize the urgency and aim to resettle 200,000 refugees which is consistent with the levels given protection during major refugee emergencies.”
AILA Urges the Biden Administration to Immediately Course Correct on Rapid Expulsion of Haitians
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) denounced the decision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to rapidly expel hundreds of Haitians using policies that deny asylum seekers the opportunity to seek protection.
AILA: Reconciliation Efforts Must Continue; Immigration Reform Cannot Wait
AILA responded to the Senate parliamentarian's advice that the proposed immigration reforms would not, in her opinion, be appropriate to include in the budget reconciliation; Allen Orr noted, "hitting a roadblock the first time is nothing new in the push for immigration reform."
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Today’s Court Decision on Title 42
AILA President Allen Orr responded to Judge Sullivan’s ruling that the use of Title 42 against families with young children seeking asylum is illegal, noting the U.S. “can and must protect public health while honoring our humanitarian values and policies that offer protection to asylum seekers.”
We Know Litigation Works, But How Do You Get Started?
In this blog post, expert litigator and past AILA president Ron Klasko gives a few examples of cases that could benefit from litigation, and highlights the upcoming Federal Court Conference as a chance to learn skills to help your clients.
Recognizing Dale Schwartz, Rest in Power
AILA pays tribute to the career and impact of Dale Schwartz, past president of AILA with two videos from Allen Orr and Greg Siskind who share insights as they reflect on his life and legacy.
Supreme Court Fails to Act — Burden on Biden to Undo Inhumane Trump Policy Denying Protection to Asylum Seekers
AILA disagrees with the Supreme Court’s denial of DOJ’s emergency request to halt a lower court ruling requiring the government to restart the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), a Trump-era policy that forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are pending in the United States.
AILA Applauds Congress for Passing Historic Budget Resolution that Includes Legalization Programs for Dreamers, TPS Holders, Essential Workers, and Ot
AILA issued a statement in response to yesterday’s passage by the House of Representatives of a budget resolution that includes over $100 billion to support legalization programs for Dreamers, TPS recipients, essential workers, and other eligible immigrants.
AILA Urges the Biden Administration to Extend the Afghan Troop Withdrawal Date to Guarantee Safe Passage for All
AILA called on the Biden administration to extend the U.S. troop withdrawal date beyond August 31 to ensure the safe evacuation of all U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Afghan special immigrants, and other at-risk Afghans.
Federal Judge Blocks ICE Enforcement Guidelines and Attempts to Upend Prosecutorial Discretion
AILA and the American Immigration Council respond to the decision issued by a federal judge in Texas blocking the Biden administration's immigration enforcement priorities.
Press Statement: Court Orders Government To Issue 9,095 Reserved 2020 Diversity Visas
On Tuesday evening, August 17, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Biden Administration to issue 9,095 diversity visas from Fiscal Year 2020 that the court reserved nearly a year ago.