American Immigration Lawyers Association

WASHINGTON, DC October 3, 2019 – Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reviewed and analyzed the recent policy memo impacting the workings of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) which serves as the appellate arm of the immigration courts within the Department of Justice (DOJ). Jeremy McKinney, Second Vice President of AILA noted, “This memo […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 12, 2019 – In an unsigned order, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) lifted the nationwide injunction put in place on the Trump administration’s “Asylum Ban 2.0.” The ban blocks anyone from seeking asylum at the southern border who had not sought protection in another country through which they transited. […]

September 4, 2019 –  On 9/4/19, the American Immigration Council, AILA, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) filed a complaint with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, DHS Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) highlighting a systematic failure to provide adequate […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 30, 2019 – On August 29, 2019, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in Zuniga Romero v. Barr that Immigration Judges (IJ) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) have the authority to administratively close cases pending before them. The court of appeals decision overturns a decision issued last year by then-Attorney General […]

WASHINGTON, DC, July 30, 2019 — On July 29, 2019, Attorney General (AG) William Barr issued a precedent decision in Matter of L-E-A- and announced that in his view, families cannot be considered a particular social group (and thus grounds for asylum) unless they are recognized by society as such. AILA Second Vice President Jeremy […]

SEATTLE, July 22, 2019— Today, a federal appeals court ruled that asylum seekers must continue to receive bond hearings while the court considers the Trump administration’s appeal to deny bond hearings with procedural protections to asylum seekers. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration’s bid to arbitrarily jail asylum seekers without a […]

WASHINGTON, DC, June 15, 2019 – Today, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice announced new regulations, effective July 16, 2019, that will prevent migrants on the southern border from seeking asylum in the United States when they have not applied for protection in a third country through which they transited first. […]

WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2019 – On a press call today, representatives from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the American Bar Association (ABA), the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), and the Federal Bar Association (FBA) discussed the need for an immigration court system that is independent of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). […]

WASHINGTON, DC, July 2, 2019 – On July 2, 2019, Attorney General (AG) Barr published a final rule, further expanding his authority to reshape immigration law. The rule was issued in a highly unusual manner by resurrecting an old proposed regulation from 11 years ago and making it final within 60 days without any opportunity […]

WASHINGTON, DC, June 27, 2019 – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed the introduction of the “Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act” (H.R. 3524) as an important step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis at our Southern border. The bill introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and other House members offers comprehensive solutions to address […]

WASHINGTON, DC, June 4, 2019 – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) applauded the passage of the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6) in the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote of 237 to 187. The bill offers permanent legal status for “Dreamers” and thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced […]

WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2019 – A bipartisan group of 36 United States Senators sent two letters to the administration, calling it to account for the crisis-level case processing delays at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These letters-one sent to USCIS Director Francis Cissna, the other to CIS Ombudsman Julie Kirchner-cite the American Immigration […]

WASHINGTON, DC, March 7, 2019 – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomes the introduction of the “Immigration Court Improvement Act of 2019” and the “Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2019” in the U.S. Senate, led by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Anastasia Tonello, AILA […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 1, 2018 — Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) begins implementing case completion quotas as part of the performance review process for immigration judges, requiring them to finish 700 cases per year or face disciplinary action. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), in voicing its opposition to these quotas, renewed its call […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 24, 2018 — On Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Trump administration announced the upcoming publication of a proposed rule that if implemented as written, would prevent many immigrants from securing lawful permanent residence and remaining with their families in the United States, simply because they previously received some type of basic health […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 19, 2018 – Late yesterday, the Attorney General issued the latest in an unprecedented slate of six removal matters that he has referred to himself to unilaterally decide. The decision, Matter of S-O-G- & F-D-B-, will prevent judges from terminating a case, except in exceptionally narrow circumstances. AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 23, 2018 – Government officials used coercive tactics against parents who were separated from their children, according to a complaint filed with Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the American […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. Aug. 8, 2018 – Today, the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) accused the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), of violating the Constitution, federal statute and the NAIJ’s union contract by stripping cases away from a judge based on the administration’s desired outcome. “This grievance […]

WASHINGTON, DC, July 13, 2018 – Late on July 11, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued separate guidance redefining core principles of America’s asylum laws, that will have far-reaching implications for asylum seekers, refugees, and others seeking protection under U.S. law. Anastasia Tonello, AILA President stated, “With the issuance of these […]