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 Presents Hamed Aleaziz with the 2020 Media Leadership Award
AILA recognizes Hamed Aleaziz, of San Francisco, CA, with the 2020 Media Leadership Award, given to individuals whose efforts in the media most accurately depict immigration and immigrants.
AILA Presents Sabrina Damast with the 2020 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award
AILA recognizes Sabrina Damast, of Los Angeles, CA, with the 2020 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for her outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law.
AILA Presents Wasden Banias LLC with the 2020 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award
AILA recognizes Wasden Banias LLC with the 2020 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law.
Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $1 Billion Dollars Without Changes at USCIS
AILA Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini shares insights from her time at USCIS related to the agency's request to Congress for $1.2 billion, and urges Congress to “ensure that the agency is transparent about its spending, accountable for its inefficiencies, and on track towards f
Where We Are and Where We Need to Be: LaJuan’s Story
In this blog post, AILA Customer Services Manager LaJuan Campbell shares the experience she has had with racism and injustice and the difficult conversations it forced her to have with her son Dominick about America's societal prejudices and how he could stay as safe as possible.
AILA Presents Lindsay M. Harris with the 2020 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award
AILA recognizes Lindsay M. Harris, Associate Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law, and Director of the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, with the 2020 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award.
AILA Presents Russell Abrutyn with the 2020 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award
AILA recognizes Russell Abrutyn of Berkley, MI, with the 2020 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.
#BlackLivesMatter – Perspectives from the AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee
The AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee is deeply saddened by the recent unjust and tragic police killings of Black Americans and we stand in solidarity for the demands for justice and accountability. This blog post includes four member perspectives and calls for change.
Are We Still Here?
As part of AILA's internal reflection during this time, staff were invited to share perspectives and experiences relating to America's divisive and unjust past, the current situation, and our commitment to a better future. In this blog post, we welcome these insights from Joy Hardy.
AILA Presents the LGBT Asylum Project with the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award
AILA recognizes the LGBT Asylum Project of San Francisco, CA, with the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award for outstanding efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion excellence in the immigration legal profession.
AILA Presents Taylor Levy with the 2020 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award
AILA recognizes Taylor Levy of El Paso, TX, with the 2020 Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights.
Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 in the International Tax Sphere
AILA member Patrick McCormick reviews some of the alterations to Internal Revenue Service policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they could impact multinationals in particular, noting however “we all realize that guidance related to COVD-19 is evolving,“
AILA: EOIR Director Attempts to Buy Out Remaining Board Members to Solidify Control of Immigration Courts
AILA responded to the recent effort by EOIR Director McHenry to buy out the remaining pre-Trump administration BIA members and highlighted the continuing push by this administration to manipulate the functions of the BIA, underscoring the urgent need for an independent immigration court system.
Civil Rights Coalition Files Lawsuit to Protect Families from Decades of Separation
AILA, Justice Action Center, and Innovation Law Lab, with pro bono support from Mayer Brown LLP, have filed a lawsuit on behalf of U.S. citizens and LPRs petitioning for their children and derivative relatives to join them in the U.S. who would “age-out” while the administration’s ban is in place.
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID-19 Era – Post 13
AILA Member Kevin Gregg shares his experience during COVID-19 thus far, including the fact that with the time freed up from less travel and commuting, he has started a podcast on precedential immigration decisions.
AILA Urges Strict Congressional Oversight Over Any Emergency Appropriations for USCIS
AILA urges congressional appropriators to demand accountability, conduct strict oversight, and ensure conditions are met before agreeing to an emergency funding request by USCIS.
AILA: Trump Administration’s Indefinite Border Closure Is a Campaign Tool, Not a Public Safety Measure
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson responds to the announcement by DHS and the CDC extending indefinitely their order blocking entry to asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Who Creates American Jobs?
In response to rumored plans by the administration to tighten nonimmigrant visas, AILA member Doug Penn shares the impact one of his clients has had creating American jobs while in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa and why the administration should not block these job creators from the U.S.
AILA Urges Support for the HEROES Act
AILA urges support for the HEROES Act which would help protect the health and safety of all communities and provide a plan for this nation to rebuild, ensuring our shared prosperity.
US: Lawsuit Over ‘Remain in Mexico’ Program Secrecy
AILA joined the American Immigration Council, Human Rights Watch, and the law firm Winston & Strawn LLP in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. Northern District of California to compel the release of records about the U.S. Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the “Remain in Mexico” program.
Litigation Works for Clients
AILA Past President Chuck Kuck highlights the H-1B class action litigation and renews the call for plaintiffs, noting “The only way to stop USCIS from continuing to rewrite immigration law through RFE and denial is to challenge them boldly, fiercely, and publicly in the federal courts.“
Practicing Immigration Law in the COVID19 Era – Post 11
AILA Member Jennifer Schear offers a glimpse into her work and office situation in Tel Aviv, Israel, and shares how during this time she has gleaned some “valuable insights into law firm management, productivity, efficiency, what and who is truly essential.“
Trump Administration’s Continued Disdain for U.S. Asylum Law and Lack of Concern for Vulnerable Asylum Seekers on Display at Border
AILA opposes MPP and the new procedures announced Sunday, May 10, which create more confusion and instability for the thousands of asylum seekers waiting for their U.S. immigration court hearings in violent and dangerous conditions in Mexico.
AILA Supports House Introduction of the “Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act”
AILA commends the introduction of the “Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act” in the House; the bill is companion legislation to a Senate bill intended to help address the critical healthcare shortage in the United States, a weakness that has been evident during the COVID-19 national emergency.
Complaint Details ICE’s Failure to Protect Those in Its Custody Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Immigration Justice Campaign Director Karen Lucas and National Advocacy Counsel Katie Shepherd detail why ICE’s failure to protect those in its custody during the COVID-19 pandemic demands immediate oversight by DHS.