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
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund Partner to Assist Aspiring Citizens through National Citizenship Day Events
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund proudly sponsor AILA Citizenship Day on September 14, 2019. Now in its 13th year, the day brings together AILA member attorneys, NALEO Educational Fund affiliates, and many others, to help lawful permanent residents take the last steps toward naturalization.
Life Happens – Making Accommodations for Your Caregiving Workforce
In this blog post, part of the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce's blog post series, AILA member Ann Cun shares her personal family experience and how it shaped her understanding of the need to have flexible options for caregivers to meet personal and professional needs.
AILA Releases Eighth Edition of Asylum Primer
AILA proudly releases the 8th edition of its Asylum Primer: A Practical Guide to U.S. Asylum Law and Procedure by Dree K. Collopy. The comprehensive, practical guide to U.S. asylum law and procedure has been updated to address the myriad changes since the release of the 2015 edition.
AILA Releases New Practice Management-Focused Resource
AILA is proud to release a brand new resource to help members and those interested in immigration law: Build and Manage Your Successful Immigration Law Practice (Without Losing Your Mind), authored by Ruby Powers.
Complaint Demands Oversight of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Facilities
Katie Shepherd, National Advocacy Counsel with the Immigration Justice Campaign, responds to the government’s systematic failure to provide adequate medical care to children in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody.
AILA: Fourth Circuit Strikes Down Attorney General Opinion, Restores Fundamental Power to Immigration Judges
AILA responded to the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in Zuniga Romero v. Barr that immigration judges have the authority to administratively close cases pending before them; the court concluded immigration law unambiguously permits immigration judges to control their own dockets.
Thinking Beyond the Border When U.S. Immigration Hurdles Arise
In this blog post, AILA member Roman Zelichenko and co-author Michelle LePage describe the differences between U.S. and Irish immigration policies related to business needs and how “if the U.S. isn't able to compete, other countries will benefit.“
Trump Administration Eliminates Established Protections for Children and Families
AILA leadership responds to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will reverse the Flores Settlement Agreement, a move that would authorize the indefinite detention of children and families in federal immigration detention facilities.
AILA: DOJ Seeks Termination of Immigration Judges Union, Further Undermining Court Independence
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson responds to DOJ’s effort to strip immigration judges of their right to be represented by a union.
Ending Protections for World War II Veterans, What’s Next?
In this blog post, Alma Rosa Nieto, member of AILA's Media Advocacy Committee describes the Trump administration's announced termination of a parole program benefitting Filipino World War II veterans and writes, “If we are truly committed to honoring these brave veterans, then we must do all that we
DHS Rule Will Hurt Working Class Families and Restrict Legal Immigration
AILA leaders Marketa Lindt and Benjamin Johnson respond to the DHS “public charge” rule that will dramatically expand the number of immigrants that DHS could deem ineligible for green cards and admission to the United States.
AILA: Massive Raid Adds to Migrant Fears, Endangers Due Process
On August 7, 2019, the administration executed a massive single-state worksite enforcement raid; AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson noted, “This raid was launched with no regard for the fundamental principles of due process that are the foundation of the American justice system.”
El Paso Immigration Collaborative (EPIC) Seeks to Change the Asylum Landscape for Detained Immigrants
The Immigration Justice Campaign, along with local and national partners, launched the El Paso Immigration Collaborative (EPIC). EPIC seeks to increase legal representation for detained immigrants around El Paso and promote oversight of the immigration courts and detention centers in the region.
The Trump Administration’s Recent Efforts to Undermine Asylum, Explained
AILA member Catha (Nikki) Lyons describes how the administration's “Asylum Ban 2.0“ is contrary to both domestic and international laws and encourages other lawyers to do their best to inform and educate the public about U.S. laws.
How to Shrink the USCIS Backlog in One Minute or Less
USCIS leadership recently testified about a backlog reduction plan which, AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd argues, would simply move the goalposts and not solve the backlog at all, writing “We deserve a USCIS that rises to its processing time goals, not one that runs from them.“
AILA: AG’s Decision Ignores Precedent and Is the Latest Attempt to Restrict Asylum
AG Barr issued a decision in Matter of L-E-A- impacting how family membership could be considered in asylum proceedings. AILA Second VP Jeremy McKinney noted: “Courts, like the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, have voluminous case law directly contradicting the Attorney General’s decision.”
It Is Time to Stop Detaining Asylum Seekers
Allegra Love urges an end to the detention of asylum seekers, highlighting the immense harm of detention via two videos writing, “It is time we act, so the story of our country is the bravery and resilience of people like Alpha and Luz, and not the brutality of detention that further harms them.R
AILA: DHS Attempts Massive Expansion of Unilateral Deportation Power
DHS announced a new policy designed to dramatically expand expedited removal to apply throughout the United States to anyone who has been in the United States for less than two years; the American Immigration Council is already planning litigation.
What Would Fix the Immigration Courts? Well, Independence is a Start!
AILA Secretary Kelli Stump highlights recent efforts by AILA and its partners to urge Congress to establish an Article I immigration court system to ensure that “when cases are as serious as they are, when lies and livelihoods are on the line“ justice is served and people get a fair day in cou
When Will the U.S. Government Stop Detaining and Abusing Migrant Children?
In this blog post, AILA member Ola Mohamed draws attention to the conditions migrant children have been subjected to and encourages a “grassroots movement, a sustained outcry for the abolishment“ of the detention of migrant children.
Why Would A Busy Immigration Lawyer Start a Podcast?
In this blog post, AILA member David Wilks shares his experience launching a podcast to address the “general misunderstanding of how the immigration system works“ that members of the public often seem to share and also includes links to other AILA member podcasts.
House Committee Ramps Up Bipartisan Concern Over Crisis Delays at USCIS
The House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship held a hearing at which representatives called administration officials to account for the crisis-level case processing delays at USCIS and heard from stakeholders including AILA President Marketa Lindt.
AILA: Administration’s New Rule Is the Latest Attempt to End Asylum
As DHS and DOJ attempt to prevent migrants who have not applied for protection in a third country from seeking asylum, AILA Second Vice President Jeremy McKinney offered solutions that would make our asylum system more efficient and live up to our values, noting “This rule isn’t one of them.”
Continuing to Build Vital Bridges
In this blog post, adapted from her speech as outgoing AILA president, Anastasia Tonello reflects on the past year and the bridges AILA and our members have built and the impact we have had.
No, Out of Sight Doesn’t Mean Out of Mind This Time
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson shares four concrete steps the administration should take to improve the asylum process rather than try and strong-arm Mexico into helping deny asylum seekers the due process mandated by our laws.