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
Why We Need to Recognize Black History Every Month
AILA member Yasmin Blackburn, who chairs the CT chapter's Diversity & Inclusion Committee, shares her life experience and why Black History recognition should not be limited to one month a year but celebrated year-round.
Civil Rights Coalition Celebrates Partial End of Immigration Ban
President Biden revoked former president Trump’s immigrant visa ban, rejecting the previous administration’s proclamation that the entry of immigrants presents a risk to the U.S. economy during the pandemic. However, he did not take action to revoke the entry ban on temporary nonimmigrant workers.
The Importance of HBCUs – An Immigration Lawyer’s Perspective
As part of the Diversity & Inclusion blog post series, Christine Alden shares her personal experience as a student and graduate of an HBCU, along with some of the history around her alma mater, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Powering Prosperity under a New Administration, in a Still Distanced World
AILA member Ruth McChesney offers some useful tips about how she regularly reviews financial information to inform her understanding of her firm's productivity and previews the practice management track at the upcoming AILA MidWinter Conference
Court Preserves Validity of 2020 Diversity Visas
AILA and our litigation partners welcomed the district court emergency injunction which preserves and extends the validity of most visas from the 2020 lottery, and the news that the State Department had issued national interest exceptions for DV winners with visas expiring Feb 17-28.
Trump’s “Midnight Rule” Ties Immigration Judges’ Hands
In this blog post, AILA members and CLINIC attorneys Vickie Neilson and Jonathan Langer describe how the Trump administration's midnight rulemaking has harmed clients, including one rule that prevents judges from reopening old removal orders.
ICE Memo Offers Promising Changes but More Reforms Are Needed
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed changes to immigration enforcement priorities outlined in a memo from ICE Acting Director Tae Johnson but flagged key areas requiring additional action. The interim guidance is effective immediately.
The ABC’s of the APA: A Layperson’s Guide
Helena Tetzeli, member of the AILA Media Advocacy Committee, shares insights into what the Administrative Procedure Act is and how it impacts implementation or revocation of immigration policy changes.
AILA, NALEO Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans Team Up for Virtual Citizenship Day Events
AILA, NALEO Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans are proud to sponsor AILA’s 15th Annual Citizenship Day, taking place virtually on Saturday, February 20, 2021, with dozens of naturalization clinics across the country.
Productivity and Motivation in a Distanced World
AILA member Hardeep “Dee“ Sull shares insights she has gleaned on productivity, motivation, and innovation during this pandemic and our new remote-work world. Learn more on this issue at AILA's MidWinter conference coming up March 2, 2021.
Immigrant Healthcare Workers Are Essential to the U.S. Comeback
AILA member Aaron Kochenderfer highlights the many contributions of immigrant healthcare workers, made more visible to all of us during the pandemic, and urges support for legislation that offers more of these heroes access to lawful permanent status.
A New Win-Win Model for Access to Counsel on Immigration
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee member Tahmina Watson describes an innovative partnership in Washington State that is a win-win model, ensuring immigrants have access to counsel.
AILA Welcomes Bipartisan Dream Act of 2021; Calls on Congress to Take Action on This and Other Necessary Immigration Legislation
AILA welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2021, calling on Congress “to pass this bill as a step forward toward legalization of the undocumented, and the many other necessary changes to our immigration laws our country requires.”
It Should Have Been a Better “Day” on Immigration
AILA Director of Federal Litigation Jesse Bless underscores how important it is for President Biden to rescind the non-immigrant and immigrant visa bans, noting in particular how diversity visa lottery winners are being harmed.
Biden Administration Continues Taking Necessary Steps to Bring Our Immigration and Asylum Policies Back in Line with Our Values, However More Needs to
AILA welcomed actions taken by the Biden administration that will continue to ameliorate the damage done over the past four years and move our immigration and asylum policies toward fairness and justice, however leaders cautioned that much more needs to be done.
Longtime Military Assistance Program Volunteer Mo Goldman Shared Some Good News
AILA member and longtime volunteer with the Military Assistance Program (MAP) Mo Goldman shared some good news about an Army reservist he was linked up with who just took the oath and became a citizen! Watch the video and if you are inspired you can get more information about volunteering yourself.
U.S. Government Records Reveal Expanded Methods to Rush Deportations at Border
AILA, the Council, HRW, and Winston & Strawn LLP obtained documents about the Migrant Protection Protocols which reveal U.S. immigration agencies' efforts in 2019 to rapidly deport thousands of people from the United States through the little-known Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV) program.
Day One of the Biden Presidency Focuses on Key Immigration Reforms
AILA commended the Day One actions on immigration undertaken by the Biden administration, recognizing that “the Biden team got straight to work fulfilling promises on immigration.”
AILA Welcomes Biden Plans to Reimagine America's Immigration System
AILA welcomed the planned reimagining of America's immigration laws and policies by the incoming Biden-Harris administration; this reasoned framework lays out the guideposts of smart and necessary immigration reform, something our country has desperately needed for decades.
Taking Pro Bono Virtual
AILA Pro Bono Committee Chair Adonia Simpson offers reasons engaging virtually on pro bono activities can be efficient and effective and highlights some easy to plug into opportunities for AILA members.
Farewell (Perhaps?) Mr. Wolf. Hello Secretary Mayorkas!
In this blog post AILA SoCal Chapter Media Liaison John Manley takes a stab at breaking down the tenure of Chad Wolf as Acting Secretary of DHS and the back and forth during the end of the Trump administration as we look forward to new leadership at the agency.
Prolonged and Indefinite Detention is Inhumane and Must End
In this blog post, Immigration Justice Campaign National Advocacy Manager Katy Murdza describes how ICE is indefinitely detaining people far past the time allowed by law, and why the Justice Campaign will be advocating for the use of proven alternatives to detention in 2021 and the abolition of immi
Shocking, Despicable, Injustice on Display
AILA President Jennifer Minear reflects on the events of January 6, 2021 and the inequality and injustice on full display, and offers some ideas of what we can and should be doing.
Screaming Into the Void: 5 Reasons to Always Comment on Proposed Regulations
AILA member Sarah Pitney shares insights into why they participate in public comment campaigns and why all AILA members should do the same to benefit their clients, share their expertise, and hopefully ensure better regulations result.
Our Immigration Laws Were Last Updated Before the Internet Was a Thing
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Tammy Lin of San Diego reflects on the last major reforms made to U.S. immigration laws by Congress and why we “can and should push for updating our immigration system now with this new administration.“