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.
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AILA in the News
Browse the Immigration News collection
Trump Administration Lines Up End Run Around Protections for Detained Children
The Trump administration announced plans to release proposed changes to regulations that are intended to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, a decades-old court settlement put in place to ensure the safety and proper care of children in immigration detention.
Why Representation Matters Within the Immigration Bar Itself
In this blog post, AILA member Sarah Pitney shares the importance of diversity and inclusion in the immigration bar by describing how one panelist in particular at the 2017 AILA Conference in New Orleans showed how her “professional community valued the presence of its LGBT+ members.“
Little Ease: Undocumented in America 2018
AILA member Margaret O'Donnell describes changes being made to immigration policy that negatively impact American families, offering a real client example to highlight how uncertain the future has become.
Join the Fight to Restore USCIS’s Mission and Ensure Immigration Court Independence!
In this blog post, Media Advocacy Committee Member Katie Sarreshteh highlights AILA's August Campaign and urges members to help AILA's efforts “to realign USCIS with its congressional mandate and ensure judicial independence in our immigration courts.“
The Government’s Use of Coercion on Separated Parents
In this blog post, Immigration Justice Campaign National Advocacy Counsel Katie Shepherd describes the government's use of coercion on separated parents and the complaint AILA and the Council filed with DHS to draw attention to this illegal and unconstitutional practice.
The Use of Coercion by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Officials Against Parents Who Were Forcibly Separated From Their Children
AILA and the Council announced the filing of a complaint with the DHS Office of the Inspector General and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on the pervasive and illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing separated mothers and fathers into signing documents they may not have understood.
Complaint Details Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
AILA and the Council filed a complaint with the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) documenting a pervasive, illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing separated mothers and fathers into signing documents they may not have understood.
AILA and Council File Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
Resources on the AILA and American Immigration Council complaint, filed with the DHS OIG and CRCL regarding a pervasive and illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing parents into signing documents, ostensibly waiving their legal rights, including their right to be reunified with their children.
Press Call on Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
On a press call, representatives of AILA, the Council, the Dilley Pro Bono Project, and Annunciation House discuss a complaint filed by AILA and the Council with DHS’s OIG and CRCL regarding coercive tactics used by government officials against parents who were separated from their children.
Trump Administration Further Undermines Judicial Independence
AILA responds to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision in Matter of L-A-B-R-, which limits the discretion of immigration judges to grant continuances.
Call to Arms: Don’t Let USCIS Get Away with It – Again
AILA First Vice President Jennifer Minear explains what the newly finalized unlawful presence changes will mean for students and exchange visitors and urges AILA members and the public to not allow this policy, and its inevitable consequences if implemented, to go unnoticed.
The Repercussions of How the Administration Has Handled Matter of Castro-Tum
AILA Member Matthew Archambeault who served as Friend of the Court in the Matter of Castro-Tum describes the case and its repercussions, and offers suggestions for how to advocate and urge Congress to act on the immense and obvious need for an independent immigration court.
New Partners in the Fight for Due Process
Karen Lucas, Director of the Immigration Justice Campaign in which AILA and the Council are partnered, describes new ways the campaign is meeting the needs of detained immigrants, including a recent partnership with Save the Children.
Immigration Judges Spotlight DOJ Hijacking of Court Independence
Today, NAIJ accused EOIR of violating the Constitution, federal statute and the NAIJ’s union contract by stripping cases away from a judge; Jeremy McKinney, AILA Treasurer noted the grievance “puts the spotlight on how fundamentally compromised our immigration court system has become.”
Amendment Blocking the Implementation of Matter of A-B- Puts a Dent in the Deportation Machine
In this blog, Alyson Sincavage, Senior Policy Counsel at AILA, writes about an amendment blocking the implementation of Matter of A-B-, passed in last week's appropriations bill.
Stop DHS from Holding Children Hostage
In this blog, AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson addresses the family separation crisis and calls on DHS to stop holding children hostage.
Tearing Families Apart in More Ways Than One
In this blog post, AILA member Ally Bolour highlights how the use of Ryan White Care Act (RWCA) funds for the family separation policy could have an impact on low-income families seeking treatment for HIV.
Supporting And Funding Immigration Services Is Particularly Vital Now
Jennifer Burk, an AILA member from the Northern California Chapter, shares highlights from the recent pro bono clinic at Annual Conference and urges AILA members to get involved and leverage their expertise to help change lives.
AILA: U.S. Must Reunify Families, Stay Their Removal, and Provide for the Return of 400+ Parents Deported Without Their Children
AILA calls for an immediate stay of the removal and release from custody of all of the victims of this family separation strategy so the families are afforded the chance to be represented by an attorney and to file claims for relief if they are eligible.
Witnessing the Destruction in the Wake of Administration Border Policies
Katie Shepherd, National Advocacy Counsel for the Immigration Justice Campaign, describes the meetings she had with detained parents who had been traumatically separated from their children and needlessly incarcerated in West Texas, highlighting the urgent need for volunteer attorneys.
The President’s Proposal to Eliminate Due Process at the Border
In this blog post, AILA Policy Counsel Jason Boyd highlights recent tweets from the president that attack due process for asylum seekers and explains how and why, if implemented, such changes would violate U.S. asylum laws.
Despite the Supreme Court’s Decision, the Fight Against the Muslim Ban Will Continue
In this blog post, AILA member Sima Alizadeh highlights the recent SCOTUS decision in Trump v. Hawaii and what it will mean for individuals and families, urging readers to keep up the fight, contact Congress, and keep attention on the hardship the ban continues to cause.
DHS Instruction to Asylum Officers Violates U.S. and International Law
Late on July 11, 2018, USCIS and ICE issued guidance redefining core principles of America’s asylum laws which will have far-reaching implications for asylum seekers, refugees, and others.
New USCIS Policy Will Needlessly Push Thousands More Cases into the Deportation Machinery
In this statement, AILA highlights how the new guidance published by USCIS regarding Notices to Appear (NTAs) will needlessly push thousands more cases into the deportation machinery, further clogging the already backlogged immigration court system.
AILA Will Not Tolerate ICE Assaults on Our Members Who Fight for Justice Every Day
AILA President Anastasia Tonello shares information about the harm ICE officers caused an AILA member from the MO-KS Chapter and advises members to be vigilant in this toxic environment.