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
Serious about Border Security?
AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson takes a look at the real dangers to U.S. border security, writing “Were the President serious about border security, he would focus his administration's attention and resources on the transnational criminal cartels who deal drugs, run guns, and launder money.̶
See Your Successes – the Justice Campaign’s Year in Numbers
Justice Campaign director Karen Lucas reflects on the difficulties and triumphs of 2018, writing that because of the amazing work of volunteers, the campaign “will enter 2019 with something that cannot and will not be deterred by anti-immigrant executive actions and rhetoric: hope.“
Take Action: Comment on the H-1B Proposed Rule
AILA President-Elect Marketa Lindt urges AILA members to use AILA's Take Action tool to comment on the proposed H-1B rule, writing “this is an issue on which we as AILA members need to be heard.“
Judge Finds Attorney General’s Gutting of Asylum Protections Unlawful
AILA President Anastasia Tonello and Executive Director Benjamin Johnson responded to today’s ruling striking down key portions of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision in Matter of A-B-, which restricted asylum for victims of domestic and gang violence.
Trump Administration Sows Chaos, Risks Lives with “Remain in Mexico” Policy
AILA responds to the government’s new policy that would force most asylum seekers who have passed a preliminary screening to remain in Mexico pending a full hearing before an immigration judge, and calls on them to immediately restore asylum seekers’ ability to pursue their claims inside the U.S.
AILA Teams Up with the ACLU and Others to Tear Down Barriers to Access to Counsel
In this blog post, AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson describes the lawsuit AILA joined as plaintiff in response to ICE and Geo Group creating unlawful barriers to attorney-client communications.
Proposed H-1B Policy Creates New Uncertainty for American Employers
In this blog post, AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Sandra Feist explains what the proposed H-1B rule would really mean for American employers and encourages a different path forward, in which “a more flexible, responsive visa program for professionals“ is developed.
Protect the American Dream – Comment on the Public Charge Rule
In this blog post, AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson lays out what the proposed “public charge“ rule would do and how anyone can lift their voice and submit a comment about how the rule would negatively impact America, writing “for the health and well-being of our society as a whole, we must
USCIS’s New Policy is a Boon to Abusers and Traffickers
Christie Popp shares her experiences working with immigrant victims and witnesses of crimes and highlights how the new USCIS NTA policy for VAWA, U- and T-visas will hinder law enforcement efforts and cause harm, not only to applicants, but to their families and communities as well.
A Dozen Years of PERM – A Practitioner’s Perspective
In this blog post, AILA member and PERM expert Ceridwen Koski offers insights into how the PERM landscape has changed over the past dozen years and what AILA members can do to prepare themselves to meet their clients' needs.
Ellis Island – A Window to our Past and Future
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Doug Penn visited Ellis Island and the ruins of the country's first public health hospital there; he urges all of us, “as you live and work, try to see your life from the perspective of Ellis Island - and live up to that statue in the harbor.“
TPS Holders Impacted by Immigration Scams
AILA member Anna Gallagher highlights the importance of avoiding scams and getting qualified counsel in an uncertain immigration environment, particularly those who hold Temporary Protected Status.
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.