Congress Introduces a Bipartisan Bill on USCIS Case BacklogOn February 26th, The Case Backlog and Transparency Act of 2020 is introduced in the House by Representatives Tony Cardenas and Steve Stivers. AILA's Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini explains why this bill is an important step towards holding USCIS accountable.
Find the full text of the bill at www.aila.org/backlog
Read AILA's policy brief on USCIS processing delays at www.aila.org/USCISDelaysBrief
The New H-1B Registration ToolAILA's Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini provides an overview of the new H-1B Registration tool.
It's Time For Immigration Court ReformJoin AILA to call for an independent immigration court system, outside the Department of Justice, under Article I of the Constitution.
Learn more at www.aila.org/dueprocess
Update on the Public Charge RuleJason Mills from AILA's DOS Liaison Committee gives an update on the Public Charge rule.
For more information and the latest developments on this issue visit www.aila.org/publiccharge
AILA National Day of Action - 3.5.2020Make your voice heard! Join us for AILA National Day of Action.
Register now at www.aila.org/nda
Update After Immigration Court Congressional HearingIn this video, recorded as a Face Book Live on January 29, 2020, Jeremy McKinney, AILA's Second Vice President, and Greg Chen, AILA's Director of Government Relations, provide an update on the Congressional Hearing.
Courts in Crisis: Congress Holds a Hearing on Immigration CourtsOn January 29th, 2020 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration will hold a hearing titled “Courts in Crisis: The State of Judicial Independence and Due Process in U.S. Immigration Courts.” AILA’s Second Vice President Jeremy McKinney who will testify at this hearing explains why we need independent immigration courts.
To learn more about this issue visit www.aila.org/dueprocess
And take action today and tell your Members of Congress to call for immigration court reform: www.aila.org/takeaction
Bearing Witness: AILA Delegation's Visit to the Southern BorderIn November 2019, AILA leaders traveled to Brownsville, Texas, and witnessed firsthand how this administration is blocking access to legal representation, due process, and ultimately safety for asylum seekers.
To learn more visit AILA's featured issue page: https://www.aila.org/advo-media/issues/all/featured-issue-border-processing-and-asylum
Read the blog post from the delegation: https://thinkimmigration.org/blog/2019/12/13/eyes-on-the-border-but-shut-out-of-the-tent-courts/
To take action now visit www.aila.org/EndMPP
AILA Joins the Supreme Court Fight...AILA recently helped draft and then signed-on to a US Supreme Court amicus brief opposing a very troubling provision of 8 USC that criminalizes ethical legal advice immigration lawyers frequently offer to their clients. AILA member Cyrus Mehta explains why immigration lawyers need to be mindful of this language unless and until the Supreme Court strikes it down.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in Shular v. United StatesOn January 21, the case Shular v. United States was before the United States Supreme Court for oral argument. AILA members Sui Chung and Michael Vastine share their analysis of the argument.
For the AILA and Partners Submit Amicus Brief on Shular v. United States - https://www.aila.org/infonet/aila-partners-submit-amicus-brief-missing-mens-rea
Happy Thanksgiving from AILA!We asked AILA members and Immigration Justice Campaign volunteers: “What is one gift your are thankful for that inspires and enlivens your work as an immigration advocate?”
USCIS Publishes a Proposed Rule Increasing Applica...AILA Quicktake #277 - AILA National's Policy Counsel, Jason Boyd, explains the impacts of a rule proposed by USCIS that would substantially increase application and petition fees.
Searching for Fairness and TransparencyIn July, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), better known as the Remain in Mexico policy, to include Laredo and Brownsville. DHS has built massive temporary tent facilities that are functioning as virtual immigration courtrooms for MPP cases. AILA Senior Policy Counsel Laura Lynch and Policy Counsel Leidy Perez-Davis went to Texas to observe these port courts and learn more about the new policies and procedures in place.
AILA University is Here!Learn more about AILA's new online learning platform: AILA University.
AILA and Partners Join Forces to Litigate Health Insurance ProclamationAILA Quicktake #276 - AILA joins litigators from the Justice Action Center (JAC), and the Innovation Law Lab, with Sidley Austin LLP providing pro bono assistance, to file suit in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon to halt implementation of the administration’s health care ban for immigrants, announced via presidential proclamation on October 4, 2019. AILA’s Director of Federal Litigation Jesse Bless explains how and why AILA fights against this proclamation.
Five Key Benefits of Joining AILA’s Global Migration SectionClayton Cartwright explains the key benefits of joining AILA’s Global Migration Section (GMS)
Moment of Mindfulness: Mini MeditationA short, guided meditation that will help you take a few moments out of each day to focus on your well-being.
AILA Author Videos: Mary KramerImmigration Consequences of Criminal Activity
House of Representatives Holds USCIS AccountableThis week, Congress held two oversight hearings to hold USCIS accountable for defying its statutory mandate.
Snapshots from Dilley - Camille CouletDilley Pro Bono Project volunteers talk about their experiences working with detained immigrant families. You can learn more about the project and volunteering opportunities at www.immigrationjustice.us
House Committee Investigates USCIS Policy Change on Non-Military Deferred ActionOn September 11, 2019 two AILA members and two AILA member clients testified before the House Oversight & Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties concerning USCIS’s decision to stop accepting and adjudicating non-military deferred action requests. AILA member Professor Shoba Wadhia and AILA New England Chapter Chair Mahsa Khanbabai discuss the implications of USCIS’s change in policy as well as the hearing.
For more information visit https://www.aila.org/nonmilitarydeferredaction
New DHS Regulation Eliminates Protections for Children and FamiliesAILA Quicktake #275 – On August 23rd, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security issued a regulation that would reverse the protections of the Flores Settlement Agreement, which is a decades-old court settlement put in place to ensure the safety and proper care of minors in immigration detention. Katy Murdza, Dilley Pro Bono Project’s Advocacy Manager, discusses how this new regulation will impact children and families in government custody.
AILA Author Videos: Dree K. CollopyDree K. Collopy discusses what is new in the 8th edition of AILA's Asylum Primer.
AILA Quicktake #274 - USCIS Eliminates Non-Military Deferred ActionUPDATE: On September 2, 2019, USCIS announced that it will reopen non-military deferred action cases that were pending on August 7, 2019. USCIS indicated that letters will be sent this week re-opening these cases for adjudication. USCIS further confirmed that individuals with denied requests that were pending on August 7, did not have pending removal orders and have not been made a target for deportation.
On August 7, 2019, USCIS field offices stopped accepting and adjudicating requests for deferred action from non-military applicants. AILA’s Policy Associate Paul Stern explains what this policy change, which occurred without public notice, means for immigrants and their families who are seeking to remain in the United States due to medical needs and other complex issues.
For more information visit AILA’s featured issue page https://www.aila.org/nonmilitarydeferredaction?utm_source=AILA+Mailing&utm_campaign=daac4493a6-AILA8_08_27_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3c0e619096-daac4493a6-291864421
Take action by urging Congress to demand USCIS continue to accept non-military deferred action request shttps://www.aila.org/takeaction#/
Share your case examples with AILA National https://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-practice-pointers-and-alerts/practice-alert-uscis-stops-accepting
2019 Fall CLE Conference: AILA/IJC Removal Defense SkillsAILA and the Immigration Justice Campaign will arm you with the tools and skills you need to navigate the new immigration court rules. Join us in beautiful Park City, UT, where you can recharge and prepare to learn cutting-edge litigation skills to help you fight for your clients rights.
For details, including the complete conference program, or to register, visit https://agora.aila.org/conference/detail/1602
AILA Quicktake #273 - DHS Posts Final Public Charge Rule in the Federal RegisterOn Monday, August 12, DHS posted for public inspection a final public charge rule that will reshape our legal immigration system and threaten the well-being of millions of families. AILA’s Policy Counsel Jason Boyd discusses how this new rule changes DHS’s public charge standard and how it impacts legal immigration.
For more information on public charge visit AILA's Featured Issue Page:
https://www.aila.org/advo-media/issues/all/public-charge-changes-at-uscis-doj-and-dos
Snapshots from Dilley - Dina Francesca HaynesDilley Pro Bono Project volunteers talk about their experiences working with detained immigrant families. You can learn more about the project and volunteering opportunities at www.immigrationjustice.us
Lawmakers Call for the Reversal of USCIS's NTA PolicyCiting AILA's analysis, 54 House Representatives demanded the rescission of USCIS’s Notice to Appear Memorandum. To learn more visit www.aila.org/USCIS
AILA Quicktake #272 – DHS Publishes the Final EB-5 Modernization RuleThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the long waited EB-5 Modernization Rule on July 24, 2019. AILA’s Associate Director of Government Relations Diane Rish explains the key changes the final rule, which is scheduled to take effect on November 21, 2019 will bring to the EB-5 Immigrant Investment program.
For AILA’s Practice Alert on the final EB-5 regulation (AILA Doc. No. 19022542) visit tny.sh/ffrlAZT
For AILA’s seminar “Understanding the New EB-5 Modernization Rule” visit tny.sh/mZmGrrg
AILA Authors: Ruby PowersAILA Author Ruby Powers discusses her new book "Build and Manage Your Successful Immigration Law Practice (Without Losing Your Mind)"
To learn more about the book: visit: https://agora.aila.org/product/detail/4003
AILA Quicktake #271 – DHS Announces the Expansion of Expedited RemovalThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new policy, effective July 23, 2019, to dramatically expand expedited removal, which will ramp up Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) power everywhere in the United States subjecting hundreds of thousands of people to rapid deportation. Kate Voigt, AILA’s Associate Director of Government Relations, explains what this policy means.
AILA Quicktake #270 -- AILA President Testifies Before Congress about USCIS Processing DelaysAILA President Marketa Lindt discusses her testimony before Congress regarding crisis-level USCIS processing delays. Tell Congress that this issue is critically important to you and your clients: https://www.aila.org/advo-media/tools/advocacy-action-center#/.
AILA Quicktake #268 – AILA Provides Update and Solutions on Border SituationThis week both the Senate and the House passed emergency border spending bills that would be used primarily by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration Customs and Enforcement for the custody, transport, and care of migrants. AILA’s Director of Government Relations Greg Chen provides an update on the situation and discusses the need for a more comprehensive set of solutions for better management at the border.
For more information read AILA's Policy Brief: Effective Border Management Begins with Improving the U.S. Asylum System at www.aila.org/bordersolutions
AILA Annual Conference 2019: Hot Topics Strategy SessionKelly Stump chairs the Hot Topics Strategy Session at AILA’s 2019 Annual Conference with participation of AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson and the members of AILA Executive Committee: Anastasia Tonello, Marketa Lindt, Jennifer Minear, Allen Orr, Jeremy McKinney, and Farshad Owji.
AILA Annual Conference 2019: Julián Castro’s Keynote SpeechJulián Castro, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, delivers the keynote speech at AILA’s 2019 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.
AILA Annual Conference 2019: Installation of Marketa Lindt as AILA PresidentAILA President Marketa Lindt delivers her installation speech at AILA's 2019 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.
Letters from Family SeparationFollowing the family separation crisis, nearly 80 reunified mothers and their children were held in Dilley, Texas at the largest family detention center in the U.S. After enduring months of uncertainty and fear, all of these families were eventually released thanks to the work of the Dilley Pro Bono Project, volunteers and staff with the Immigration Justice Campaign, and others who advocated for their release.
To learn more and read the full letters visit www.immigrationjustice.us
