AILA
@aila.org
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a national association of 17,000+ attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Visit us at aila.org
Register today! AILA's 2026 AILA Midwinter Conference & Webcast in sunny Guanacaste, Costa Rica will be held on January 23, featuring advanced-level Business and Removal tracks. Get early bird savings before it's too late: https://bit.ly/4pQZgxi
December 8, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Register today! AILA's 2026 AILA Midwinter Conference & Webcast in sunny Guanacaste, Costa Rica will be held on January 23, featuring advanced-level Business and Removal tracks. Get early bird savings before it's too late: https://bit.ly/4pQZgxi
The Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns. This new policy brief analyzes these restrictions, why they are harmful, and policy recommendations. https://bit.ly/4a54obI
Policy Brief: Severe Immigration Restrictions Will Waste Taxpayer Resources and Bring Hardship, Not Make America Safer
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C., the Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns....
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns. This new policy brief analyzes these restrictions, why they are harmful, and policy recommendations. https://bit.ly/4a54obI
"The court has not announced a date to hear oral arguments, but the justices will most likely hear the case in the next few months. A decision would then be expected by the end of June or early July." https://nyti.ms/3KGTZsl
Supreme Court Agrees to Review Trump Order Restricting Birthright Citizenship
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"The court has not announced a date to hear oral arguments, but the justices will most likely hear the case in the next few months. A decision would then be expected by the end of June or early July." https://nyti.ms/3KGTZsl
"A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to quickly seek the return of a man it deported to Guatemala in violation of an immigration court’s finding that he was likely to face torture there." https://politi.co/3MgDaFk
‘Blatant lawlessness’: Judge decries another ‘unlawful’ deportation
Faustino Pablo Pablo was deported to Guatemala despite his urgent warnings to immigration officials that he faced serious danger in his home country.
politi.co
December 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
"A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to quickly seek the return of a man it deported to Guatemala in violation of an immigration court’s finding that he was likely to face torture there." https://politi.co/3MgDaFk
"The legislation, which has been introduced several times but never passed, would allow Dreamers — or noncitizens without lawful status who were brought to the U.S. as children — to pursue citizenship if they meet military, education or work requirements." https://bit.ly/4pLL9bD
Durbin reintroduces DREAM Act in hopes of paving citizenship pathway for child immigrants
Durbin first introduced the act in 2001, and it has been proposed several times since. He cited the Trump administration's deportation campaign targeting Chicago-area immigrants as a reason to push it...
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"The legislation, which has been introduced several times but never passed, would allow Dreamers — or noncitizens without lawful status who were brought to the U.S. as children — to pursue citizenship if they meet military, education or work requirements." https://bit.ly/4pLL9bD
"Work permits issued to immigrants who have applied for asylum or a range of other humanitarian programs will now be valid for 18 months rather than five years, under a new policy announced Thursday by the Trump administration." https://on.wsj.com/4qb5A2f
Exclusive | Trump Tightens Work Permits for Migrants, Expanding Crackdown on Legal Immigration
The quicker expiration dates primarily will affect immigrants seeking asylum or other forms of humanitarian protections.
on.wsj.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"Work permits issued to immigrants who have applied for asylum or a range of other humanitarian programs will now be valid for 18 months rather than five years, under a new policy announced Thursday by the Trump administration." https://on.wsj.com/4qb5A2f
"Attorneys have turned to federal courts, where they have filed more than 675 immigration-related habeas petitions in Texas alone between January and November...more than the number of such petitions filed in the state during Trump’s entire first term." https://bit.ly/49XDQZU
Lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood Texas
The wave of legal challenges is in response to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and its new policy expanding mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"Attorneys have turned to federal courts, where they have filed more than 675 immigration-related habeas petitions in Texas alone between January and November...more than the number of such petitions filed in the state during Trump’s entire first term." https://bit.ly/49XDQZU
"The Trump administration on Wednesday announced increased vetting of applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, with an internal State Department memo saying that anyone involved in 'censorship' of free speech be considered for rejection." https://reut.rs/4oTw7A5
Exclusive: Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
An internal State Department memo said that anyone involved in "censorship" of free speech should be considered for rejection.
reut.rs
December 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
"The Trump administration on Wednesday announced increased vetting of applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, with an internal State Department memo saying that anyone involved in 'censorship' of free speech be considered for rejection." https://reut.rs/4oTw7A5
"Recently Ramirez did something that for many, would have been unimaginable only months ago: She planned to give guardianship of her two youngest daughters to her eldest, in case she and her partner are detained by federal immigration authorities." https://bit.ly/48DPVkR
Local immigrants prepare guardianship paperwork in case they’re detained by ICE
“It’s like letting go of a piece of yourself.”
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"Recently Ramirez did something that for many, would have been unimaginable only months ago: She planned to give guardianship of her two youngest daughters to her eldest, in case she and her partner are detained by federal immigration authorities." https://bit.ly/48DPVkR
"Border Patrol, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is primarily running the New Orleans operation. The Trump administration has used that strategy to crack down on immigration in several other cities this year." https://to.pbs.org/44BghTa
Border Patrol's expanding role in Trump's immigration crackdown
The Department of Homeland Security confirms it started a sweeping immigration crackdown in New Orleans. The News Hour confirmed that Border Patrol, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is primari...
to.pbs.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Border Patrol, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is primarily running the New Orleans operation. The Trump administration has used that strategy to crack down on immigration in several other cities this year." https://to.pbs.org/44BghTa
AILA Practice and Policy Counsel Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres details the recently introduced Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act and how the bill "is a crucial step towards a fairer and more just immigration court system." #ThinkImmigration https://bit.ly/49QtrPJ
Think Immigration: Enhancing Justice: The Crucial Role of the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act
AILA Practice and Policy Counsel Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres details the recently introduced Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act and how the bill 'is a crucial step towards a fairer and more just im...
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
AILA Practice and Policy Counsel Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres details the recently introduced Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act and how the bill "is a crucial step towards a fairer and more just immigration court system." #ThinkImmigration https://bit.ly/49QtrPJ
"The Marreros are one of a growing number of U.S. citizen and immigrant couples to be torn apart at their interview for a marriage-based green card...even in situations where the person may be eligible for permanent residency in the United States." https://bit.ly/3XsVH3z
A New York Marriage is Torn Apart by ICE - Documented
Matthew and Allan Marrero went to 26 Federal Plaza together to interview for a marriage-based green card. Allan never came home.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"The Marreros are one of a growing number of U.S. citizen and immigrant couples to be torn apart at their interview for a marriage-based green card...even in situations where the person may be eligible for permanent residency in the United States." https://bit.ly/3XsVH3z
AILA sr. director of government relations Shev Dalal-Dheini "said the organization had received reports of cancelled oath ceremonies, naturalization interviews and adjustment of status interviews for individuals from countries listed on the travel ban." https://reut.rs/3XtEvuP
US pauses all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries
The pause applies to people from 19 countries that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June, placing further restrictions on immigration - a core feature of Trump's political platform.
www.reuters.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
AILA sr. director of government relations Shev Dalal-Dheini "said the organization had received reports of cancelled oath ceremonies, naturalization interviews and adjustment of status interviews for individuals from countries listed on the travel ban." https://reut.rs/3XtEvuP
"The day after Lopez Belloza was arrested, a federal judge issued an emergency order prohibiting the government from moving her out of...the US for at least 72 hours. ICE did not respond to an email...seeking comment about violating that order." https://bit.ly/4iwNDZ7
College student deported when flying home for Thanksgiving, despite court order
Student ‘heartbroken’ after being sent to Honduras while trying to travel from Boston to Texas, attorney says
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
"The day after Lopez Belloza was arrested, a federal judge issued an emergency order prohibiting the government from moving her out of...the US for at least 72 hours. ICE did not respond to an email...seeking comment about violating that order." https://bit.ly/4iwNDZ7
"The Trump administration fired eight immigration judges in New York City on Monday...The firings followed an earlier round of job cuts in New York immigration courts and are part of a broader disruption across the country." https://nyti.ms/4pcBKdk
Trump Administration Fires 8 Immigration Judges in New York
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"The Trump administration fired eight immigration judges in New York City on Monday...The firings followed an earlier round of job cuts in New York immigration courts and are part of a broader disruption across the country." https://nyti.ms/4pcBKdk
NEW in response to the Trump Administration’s immigration policy announcements and changes following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, DC: Response to Tragedy Should be Measured and Bolster Security, Not Undermine It.
AILA: Response to Tragedy Should be Measured and Bolster Security, Not Undermine It
As the Trump Administration made a rapid series of immigration policy announcements and changes following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., AILA President Jeff Joseph and Execut...
www.aila.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
NEW in response to the Trump Administration’s immigration policy announcements and changes following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, DC: Response to Tragedy Should be Measured and Bolster Security, Not Undermine It.
"Former federal oversight officials have sounded the alarm at the rapid dismantling of guardrails against human rights failures – at the same time as the government pushes aggressive immigration enforcement operations." https://bit.ly/4pmcWzy
Gutting of key US watchdog could pave way for grave immigration abuses, experts warn
Former oversight officials alarmed by dismantling of DHS system that oversees complaints about civil rights harms
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
"Former federal oversight officials have sounded the alarm at the rapid dismantling of guardrails against human rights failures – at the same time as the government pushes aggressive immigration enforcement operations." https://bit.ly/4pmcWzy
"It was supposed to be a celebratory milestone, the final step in the process to obtain U.S. permanent residency. Instead, as each interview with an immigration officer wrapped up, federal agents swooped in, handcuffed the...spouse & took him or her away." https://nyti.ms/48JQs5J
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens (Gift Article)
Agents are arresting foreign-born spouses when they report for the final step to obtain permanent residency, and charging them with visa violations that could result in deportation.
nyti.ms
December 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"It was supposed to be a celebratory milestone, the final step in the process to obtain U.S. permanent residency. Instead, as each interview with an immigration officer wrapped up, federal agents swooped in, handcuffed the...spouse & took him or her away." https://nyti.ms/48JQs5J
The Waivers Book helps you navigate inadmissibility, removability, and other obstacles—now with digital samples! Break through immigration barriers: https://www.aila.org/shop/products/view/waivers-book
December 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Waivers Book helps you navigate inadmissibility, removability, and other obstacles—now with digital samples! Break through immigration barriers: https://www.aila.org/shop/products/view/waivers-book
"President Donald Trump says he wants to 'permanently pause migration' from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status." https://bit.ly/44FrVMG
Trump says he wants to 'permanently pause' migration to the US from poorer countries
President Donald Trump says he wants to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status...
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
"President Donald Trump says he wants to 'permanently pause migration' from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status." https://bit.ly/44FrVMG
"For about four hours, they described the toll of federal raids on Southern California. They spoke of masked agents tackling undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens, of being denied food, water and phone calls to relatives while in custody." https://nyti.ms/4rlwJkj
At a Congressional Hearing, Residents Detail the Trauma of the L.A. Raids (Gift Article)
More than two dozen people described the upheaval the raids had caused in immigrant communities and aired accusations of mistreatment by agents.
nyti.ms
November 27, 2025 at 1:28 AM
"For about four hours, they described the toll of federal raids on Southern California. They spoke of masked agents tackling undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens, of being denied food, water and phone calls to relatives while in custody." https://nyti.ms/4rlwJkj
"The lawsuit alleges Rahimov-Akobirovich is the victim of the Trump administration’s new policy suggesting that every individual held for possible deportation is subject to mandatory detention regardless of how long they’ve lived in the United States." https://bit.ly/48Hawor
Another Iowa jail sued over DOJ policy on detaining immigrants without bond • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Another Iowa county jail is being sued for holding an individual who’s being detained by federal officials for possible deportation.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
"The lawsuit alleges Rahimov-Akobirovich is the victim of the Trump administration’s new policy suggesting that every individual held for possible deportation is subject to mandatory detention regardless of how long they’ve lived in the United States." https://bit.ly/48Hawor
"At least 675,000 people who have been stripped of their TPS protections since Trump took office are at risk of deportation...The Trump administration has terminated TPS for nine countries and moved to end the asylum benefit for eight others." https://bit.ly/4ojuKdt
The countries where Trump has terminated Temporary Protected Status this year
Trump has now terminated TPS for nine countries and moved to end the asylum benefit for eight others.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"At least 675,000 people who have been stripped of their TPS protections since Trump took office are at risk of deportation...The Trump administration has terminated TPS for nine countries and moved to end the asylum benefit for eight others." https://bit.ly/4ojuKdt
"The American Immigration Lawyers Association said the review was a 'colossal waste of government resources.' It said the move called into question 'whether any decision by the U.S. government is ever final or reliable.'" https://bit.ly/44sxPAH
Trump administration plan to review Biden-era refugees sparks worry and uncertainty
The Trump administration’s plan to review all refugees admitted to the United States under the Biden administration is weighing heavily on people who could be affected by the evaluation and fueling un...
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"The American Immigration Lawyers Association said the review was a 'colossal waste of government resources.' It said the move called into question 'whether any decision by the U.S. government is ever final or reliable.'" https://bit.ly/44sxPAH
"While the intensity has died down in the week since Bovino left, reports of arrests still pop up. Activists tracking immigration agents said they confirmed 142 daily sightings at the height of the operation last month. The number is now roughly six a day." https://nbcnews.to/4rjFStD
Chicago's immigration crackdown aftermath leaves lawsuits, investigations and anxiety
For more than two months, the Chicago area was the focus of an aggressive immigration enforcement operation.
nbcnews.to
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
"While the intensity has died down in the week since Bovino left, reports of arrests still pop up. Activists tracking immigration agents said they confirmed 142 daily sightings at the height of the operation last month. The number is now roughly six a day." https://nbcnews.to/4rjFStD