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
Serving Those Who Serve Our Country
As we reflect on Veterans Day, this blog post offers insights into the impact of immigration law on members of the military and their families and encourages AILA members to “help a service member by bringing immigration legal expertise and a caring heart to bear on these important cases.“
Reality vs. Rhetoric – Why Are People Fleeing to the United States?
In this blog post, AILA Board of Governors member Ally Bolour describes the country conditions in Central America, and involvement therein by the United States government over decades, that have led to refugees seeking protection.
AILA Quicktake #253: Trump Administration’s New Proclamation on Asylum
AILA's Policy Counsel Jason Boyd discusses President Trump's proclamation on asylum and its impact on the southern border of the United States.
Trump Administration Issues Advance Copy of Rule Intended to Gut Asylum Seekers’ Due Process Rights
AILA responded to the advance copy of an interim rule issued by the Trump administration that would gut asylum seekers’ due process rights; a presidential proclamation is expected Friday, November 9, 2018.
Representing the Separated
AILA member Teresa Messer shares the story of a father and son separated by the government who she was able to help and the impact taking that case had on her and her client; she also shares links to resources and opportunities to help.
On Election Day…Vote for All of Us
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson urges everyone eligible to vote and to participate in the #MyImmigrantHistory campaign, writing, “Tomorrow is a chance to exercise our rights as Americans, and to vote not just for our issue but for a future that all Americans can see themselves in.“
The #MyImmigrantHistory Campaign – We Invite You to Share Your Story!
AILA President Anastasia Tonello shares her #MyImmigrantHistory story as part of AILA's campaign to highlight why the public charge rule is shortsighted and would harm the country and encourages others to share their own #MyImmigrantHistory story on social media and with AILA.
Trump Places Partisan Politics Over Real Solutions in Muddled Speech on Immigration
AILA responded to President Trump’s announced plans to rewrite American asylum law and procedures and construct tent cities where families and asylum seekers will be detained for years. Details of the plan were not offered, but will reportedly be announced next week.
Fastcase Partners with the American Immigration Lawyers Association to Publish New Journal
Announcing the new AILA Law Journal, AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson noted, “All of our 15,000+ members are hungry for new and innovative resources that they can turn to for insights and advice that will help them serve their clients and advance the understanding of immigration law.”
A Second Chance at Asylum for Indonesian Families
In this blog post, AILA member and Immigration Justice Campaign volunteer Lisa Modecker shares how she was able to successfully reopen the case of Mr. and Mrs. Sombah, Indonesian Christians at risk of deportation back to danger in their home country after years of refuge in the United States.
Inclusion Requires Us to Be Proactive
In the second blog post from the AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, AILA member Christian Montesinos shares a discriminatory experience he had with USCIS that left him disheartened and urges AILA members and the public to be proactive about “inclusion and thrive in the lush landscape of diversi
The Detective Work of Asylum Cases: How Surgeons Can Help
In this blog post, AILA member and Immigration Justice Campaign volunteer Nikki Lyons describes how working with medical experts, particularly surgeons, can offer a way to corroborate details of an asylum seeker's case based on wounds and scars left from persecution.
Terrible and Terrifying: Marriage Interviews Become Another Cog in the Deportation Machine
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson highlights the growing number of cases where ICE seizes people during the marriage interview component of their immigration application process, an interview required to pursue the legal status which would protect them.
Proposed Public Charge Rule Spreads Panic, But Would Fail at Cutting Costs
AILA member Ruby Powers highlights the newly published proposed “public charge“ rule and its potential negative impact on clients and communities while describing how the public and AILA members can engage on this important issue by commenting on the proposed rule.
Exploring All the Options – EB-5 in this Era of Uncertainty
In this blog post, past AILA president and EB-5 expert Bernard Wolfsdorf highlights some of the important information and innovative ideas that will be shared at the upcoming AILA - IIUSA EB-5 conference and reminds readers that the Early Bird option ends Wednesday!
A Resurgence of Hope for Many TPS Holders
Jason Boyd, AILA Policy Counsel, offers insights into the preliminary injunction granted in Ramos v. Nielsen, offering TPS holders, from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, and their families, hope in a very uncertain time.
Justice Cannot Be Carried Out on an Assembly Line
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson issues a call to action, sharing comments from NAIJ president Ashley Tabaddor and advocating for an independent immigration court system, free from political pressure by any administration.
The Need for an Independent Immigration Court Grows More Urgent As DOJ Imposes Quotas on Immigration Judges
As DOJ begins implementing case completion quotas, requiring immigration judges to finish 700 cases per year or face disciplinary action, AILA voices its opposition to these quotas and renews its call for the creation of an independent Article I immigration court.
Video: AILA Calls for Immigration Court Reform
In this video, AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson explains the need to establish an independent immigration court system.
How to Manage Your Practice in the Shifting Employment-Based Landscape
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Sandra Feist shares how she has handled the growing uncertainty in employment-based immigration law practice and offers some useful advice for other practitioners.
New Rule Would Impose Class-Based Limits on Immigration, Bringing Harm to Hardworking Families
AILA condemned the proposed “public charge” rule because it “would prevent many immigrants from securing lawful permanent residence and remaining with their families…simply because they previously received some type of basic health care support, nutrition assistance, or other vital services.”
Attorney General’s Concerted Effort to Strip Immigration Judges of Judicial Independence Continues
In response to the AG's decision in Matter of S-O-G- & F-D-B-, which will prevent judges from terminating a case except in exceptionally narrow circumstances and waste the court's time and resources, AILA again called on Congress to create an independent Article I immigration court.
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund to Help Thousands of Aspiring New Americans on National Citizenship Day
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund proudly sponsor AILA Citizenship Day, taking place on Saturday, September 15, 2018; now in its twelfth year, this event brings together AILA attorneys, NALEO affiliates, law students, paralegals, interpreters, and community members to help those seeking to naturalize.
Together, a Firestorm of Support
In this blog post, AILA staff members Reid Trautz, Erin Lynum, and former AILA intern Jiedine I. A. Phanbuh highlight the importance of engaging community to support immigrants and work towards fair immigration policy.
AG Sessions’ Remarks Emphasize Need for Independent Immigration Courts
AILA responds to remarks delivered by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to a group of 44 new immigration judges.