Congressional Recess is No Time to Rest
Congress is now in recess, which means that most members of Congress are returning to their districts to reconnect with their constituents. It also means there couldn’t be a better time to let our voices be heard on issues vital to our clients: ensuring that Congress...
Finding Equilibrium in an Unsteady World
“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.” - Tom Brokaw So far this year, I’ve experienced dark moments where...
Guardians of our Constitution
Adapted from the installation speech of Annaluisa Padilla, 2017-18 President of AILA
Dollars and Sense
SB1070 made my state of Arizona about as unwelcoming as you’d imagine for a then-young Latino guy like me. I can recall being called an "illegal" in an aisle of a Home Depot by an old woman who was surprised that I spoke English, and that I called her out, asking her...
Walking the Talk – Why AILA Moved the 2018 AC Out of Texas
Faced with the reality of SB-4’s ugly shadow hanging over Texas, AILA has made the decision to move its Annual Conference (AC) in 2018, originally scheduled to take place in Texas, to another state. As a member of AILA’s Executive Committee, I worked with my...
Fair Treatment Under the Law
Indiana’s highest court handed down a unanimous ruling earlier this month protecting the rights of injured unauthorized immigrants to seek recovery of lost wages and decreased earning capacity and importantly, making their undocumented status inadmissible at trial in...
Our Battles Are Only Beginning
Regardless of the veracity of President Trump’s negative immigration rhetoric, it is undoubtedly sparking and emboldening anti-immigration groups. Constitutional battles that have long been over and won are creeping back with validation from the new administration. In...
Staining America’s Image
Tuesday night, I spoke at a “Know Your Rights” event in Tucson, Arizona, to a large group of concerned and fearful refugees from all over the world, including countries such as Iraq, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. Afterward, I spoke individually to several of the...
Offering the Community Your Expertise Post-Election
There is fear in our communities. In the days following the presidential election, I heard from a lot of people who want to help, but aren’t sure exactly how. Though there are many ways to get involved, I want to offer an example of how a fellow AILA member and I...
California’s TRUTH Act – Due Process for Immigrants Held in Local Jails
On September 28, 2016, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the TRUTH Act which protects immigrant communities against harsh immigration enforcement practices. With this law, California becomes the first state to require immigrants be told of their right...
