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
“Wait Your Turn and Come Lawfully” (in 30 Years)
During a speech in Texas, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that intending immigrants should simply “wait your turn“ to enter the United States legally. The insensitivity of this statement clearly shows that Mr. Sessions, like many government officials and members of the public, just doesn't
The Top Eleven Terrible Things in President Trump’s Budget
There are a lot of things wrong with the President Trump's Fiscal Year 2018 budget request. Some of the immigration-related provisions have been mentioned in the press or by advocates, while others are flying relatively unknown under the radar. But they all have one thing in common: they are meant t
Not Winning Hearts or Minds
On Sunday, I was online, browsing for cool science gifts for my nieces and doing my best to ignore the pop-up ads for princess-themed everything. Eventually, I found an outstanding chemistry set and set about to buy it. At around the same time, I read a Washington Post story about a group of scho
Will Government Employees Show Some Moxie in the Immigration Struggle?
In case you haven't noticed, advocates for immigrants and favorable immigration policies in this country are at war with the current administration in Washington. And, for those who think the attitude in Washington will change in the next four to eight years, think again. Unfortunately, negative att
AILA: House Bills Erode Public Safety and the Constitution
AILA urged lawmakers to oppose two bills slated to be taken up this week by the House of Representatives: the “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” (H.R. 3003) and “Kate’s Law” (H.R. 3004), noting that the bills “will undermine public safety and erode our nation’s bedrock constitutional principles.”
Judge: Government Still Failing to Meet Standards for Detaining Children
AILA welcomed U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee’s decision affirming that the federal government is violating the 20-year-old Flores settlement agreement governing the custody and release of all immigrant children nationwide; Judge ordered a Juvenile Coordinator appointed to ensure compliance.
Travel Ban – An Update
The “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States“ Executive Order has once again been modified. From its original far-reaching, chaotic launch on January 26, to its initial limited injunctions, to its nationwide stay, withdrawal and replacement, to more injunctio
SCOTUS Says No Ban on Travel for Those with U.S. Connections But Will Hear Full Case in October
AILA welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to consider the Trump Administration’s Muslim-focused travel and refugee ban litigation but raised strong concerns of the potential impact of the decision to lift part of the injunction that had prevented the federal government from implementing the ban.
New World Requires New Strategies
I had heard a rumor that it was a fire-able offense for anyone in Ira Kurzban's firm to concede a conviction in immigration court. So while talking to Ira at a conference once, I asked him if it was true. He informed me I had heard wrong. He explained that it is a fire-able offense […]
Guardians of our Constitution
Adapted from the installation speech of Annaluisa Padilla, 2017-18 President of AILA
AILA Elects New Officers; Annaluisa Padilla to Serve as President of Association
Today, AILA elected new officers to its Executive Committee for the 2017-2018 term during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. Annaluisa Padilla was installed as AILA’s President.
AILA Announces 2018 Annual Conference Will Be Held in San Francisco
AILA announced that the association’s 2018 Annual Conference will be held in San Francisco, CA, June 13-16, 2018. The conference had been set for Grapevine, TX, but the Board of Governors voted earlier this month to move the event after weighing the potential impact of SB 4.
Free Legal Consultations from Immigration Attorneys During AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans
On June 24, 2017, AILA, in partnership with AILA’s Mid-South Chapter and Catholic Charities of New Orleans, will offer free Know Your Rights presentations and immigration law consultations in New Orleans as part of the seventh Pro Bono Clinic held in conjunction with AILA’s Annual Conference.
AILA Presents Nora Elizabeth Phillips with the 2017 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award
AILA will recognize Nora Elizabeth Phillips, of Los Angeles, CA, with the 2017 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award, for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field, this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Sarah Owings and Ruby Powers with the 2017 Advocacy Award
AILA will recognize Sarah Weston Hayes Owings, of Atlanta, GA, and Ruby Lichte Powers, of Houston, TX, with the 2017 Advocacy Award for outstanding efforts in support of AILA’s legislative agenda during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Benjamin Casper Sanchez with the 2017 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award
AILA will recognize Benjamin Casper Sanchez, of the University of Minnesota Law School, with the 2017 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing an outstanding professor in the area of immigration law, during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents the “Airport Lawyers” with the 2017 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award
AILA will recognize the “Airport Lawyers” with the 2017 Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Ava Benach with the 2017 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award
AILA will recognize Ava Benach of Washington, D.C., with the 2017 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Leslie Marshall with the 2017 Media Leadership Award
AILA will present talk show host Leslie Marshall with the 2017 Media Leadership Award, given to the individual whose efforts in the media most accurately depict immigration and immigrants, this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Ben Winograd with the 2017 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award
AILA will recognize Ben Winograd, of Alexandria, VA, with the 2017 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for his outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law. He will receive the award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
AILA Presents Crystal Williams with the 2017 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award
This week, AILA will recognize Crystal Williams of Morrisville, NC, with the 2017 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding service, over a period of years, in advancing the mission, development, and value of AILA for its members and the public it serves.
AILA Recognizes Suzanne Brown with the 2017 Sam Williamson Mentor Award
This week, AILA will recognize Suzanne Brown, of St. Louis, MO, with the 2017 Sam Williamson Mentor Award in acknowledgment of her outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.
AILA Presents the Washington v. Trump Litigation Team with the 2017 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award
This week, AILA will recognize the Washington v. Trump Litigation Team: Bob Ferguson, Noah Purcell, and Colleen Melody, with the 2017 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award, for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law, during AILA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
Immigration Justice Campaign Launched to Train Legal Community to Defend Against Ramped-Up Deportation Machine
AILA and the American Immigration Council are launching the Immigration Justice Campaign, which will prepare more lawyers to be cutting-edge defenders of immigrants facing deportation and aims to significantly change the way the government can and will conduct immigration enforcement.
New Name, New Look, New Content – This Blog’s for You!
Welcome to Think Immigration, the new blog from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Here you'll find insightful commentary from legal experts - the folks who see firsthand every single day what immigration law and policy mean to our nation. They see the good, the bad, and the ugly,