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
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.
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to the Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
AILA President Allen Orr responded to the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, noting that the “lives of countless Afghans depend on the U.S. government acting promptly to exercise humanitarian parole, resume and rapidly scale up special immigrant visa (SIV) and immigrant visa processing.”
AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Federal Judge Decision to Reinstate “Remain in Mexico” Asylum Policy
AILA President Allen Orr shared a statement in response to the nationwide injunction issued on August 13, 2021, directing the Biden administration to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as “Remain in Mexico.”
AILA Welcomes Immigration Reform Opportunity
AILA welcomed the Senate’s passage of a budget resolution measure which would allow the Judiciary Committee to start the process of drafting legislative text to create a path to permanent status for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and essential workers.
Beyond Borders: Protecting and Preserving Indigenous Rights
In this blog post, AILA member Danielle Molliver shares her insights as both a Lumbee tribe member and a practicing immigration attorney as we recognize the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
Trusted Traveler Program Fumbles
In this blog post, AILA member John Manley describes the benefits of Trusted Traveler programs but also the distress when such status is revoked and the lack of transparency as to how those revocations can be redressed, offering a few ideas of changes CBP could make to improve the programs.
AILA Welcomes New USCIS Director Confirmed by the Senate
AILA welcomed the confirmation of Ur Jaddou, the first Senate-confirmed woman and the first person of Arab and Mexican descent, to lead USCIS; AILA looks forward to working with Ms. Jaddou as she and USCIS staff rebuild and restore trust in our immigration system.
Congress Must Work Together to Pass the New Startup Visa
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Chair and business immigration expert Fiona McEntee shares information about the recently introduced LIKE Act and how a startup visa would make a tremendous difference to our economy and the entrepreneurs offered a path to America
Biden Administration’s Latest Move Does Real Harm to Asylum-Seeking Families
AILA denounced the Biden administration for plans announced to apply expedited removal to families apprehended in the southern border region; AILA is adamantly opposed and urges the administration to rethink this decision.
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
In this blog post, AILA member Vaman Kidambi shares some insights into answering the question “What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do“ and how to describe your work as an immigration attorney to those not in the field.
Biden Must Quickly Protect Those Who Risked Their Lives for Our Soldiers in Afghanistan
In this blog post, AILA Board of Governors member Ally Bolour highlights the urgent need for the Biden administration to recognize that those who helped our troops in Afghanistan need to be protected and evacuated to safety immediately.
AILA: No Surprise that Texas Judge Puts Politics Ahead of Sound Legal Precedent
AILA President Allen Orr and Executive Director Benjamin Johnson responded to the ruling by Texas federal judge Andrew Hanen against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in this statement, urging the administration and Congress to protect Dreamers.
How the State Department Can Help Businesses Bounce Back from COVID-19
AILA member Brent Renison shares the example of a business client negatively impacted by State Department policies and regional travel bans and highlights the straightforward solutions recommended by AILA to help businesses bounce back from the pandemic.