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.”
Together, a Firestorm of Support
In this blog post, AILA staff members Reid Trautz, Erin Lynum, and former AILA intern Jiedine I. A. Phanbuh highlight the importance of engaging community to support immigrants and work towards fair immigration policy.
Stopping State Bills that Attack Immigrants – A How-To from Georgia
Tracie L. Klinke, chair of the GA/AL AILA Chapter lifts up the concerted and coordinated community effort that led to blocking SB. 452 in Georgia, writing that immigration lawyers must “stand together and stand up for smart, fair, and just immigration law and policy.”
Finding Heroes
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Member Mo Goldman highlights the recent lawsuit by WA AG Ferguson against Motel 6 for violating state consumer protection laws by sharing guest data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when ICE had no warrant to gather the information.
Hardline Immigration Policies Keep Running into Legal Trouble
On November 20, 2017, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, issued a nationwide permanent injunction blocking the federal government’s attempt to strip so-called “sanctuary cities” of federal funding. Judge William Orrick ruled the executive order unconstitutional, in violation of the Fifth and 10th Amendments. Explaining the severe due process violations, Judge Orrick stated, “the Executive Order’s vague language does not make clear what conduct it proscribes or give jurisdictions a reasonable opportunity to avoid its penalties.” Judge Orrick also highlighted President Trump’s motives for crafting this executive order stating, “The President has called it ‘a weapon’ to use against jurisdictions that disagree with his preferred policies of immigration enforcement.”
Fighting for the Underdog
Some of Hollywood’s most iconic films have featured an “underdog” plot: a protagonist facing impossible odds who proves victorious through greater tenacity and determination. This is certainly a theme our immigrant clients and immigration law practices can relate to,...
In the Midst of Chaos, Where is Our Lifeline?
Mother Nature hit Puerto Rico hard with Hurricane Maria. Regardless of the deadline for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals and irrespective of the need for immigration lawyers to respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Mother Nature wins out. But...
Hurricane Harvey Hit Us Hard but We’re Rebuilding and Helping Each Other
It’s true that natural disasters can strike anywhere, but Texas got hit with an especially devastating one with Harvey. As a proud member of the Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico AILA chapter, I wanted to share some of the efforts by our members to help in the...
Back to School – The Immigrant Experience
Near the end of July 2017, ICE conducted raids across my hometown, Memphis, TN. By the agency’s count, 83 individuals were arrested in a series of raids that occurred in Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans between July 23 and July 26. Not reported in that number is the...
Protesting and Immigration – Know Your Rights
Today, President Trump will hold a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, where it is rumored he may pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. President Trump has historically supported Mr. Arpaio and praised his tough stance on immigration and Mr. Arpaio has requited...
