Guide to the American Immigration Lawyers Association

Immigration law and policy are diverse and highly complicated in the United States of America. However, in the last five years, immigration law and policy enacted by the United States government has been increasingly stringent, often infringing upon the rights of non-citizens and eligible immigrant applicants to the United States. This is where organizations and associations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) come in. The AILA is a nationally recognized group of lawyers who work on immigration policy and law in the United States.

This article covers everything the AILA does to protect and advocate for immigrants’ rights in the U.S.

What Is the American Immigration Lawyers Association?

Established in 1946, the AILA is the national association of immigration lawyers advocating, promoting, and actively practicing immigration law and policy. The group works toward advancing the conversation on advocacy and justice regarding immigration issues in the U.S.

According to their website, the association is formed to “cultivate the signs of jurisprudence and advance the science of administration of law pertaining to immigration, nationality, and naturalization.” Such an attitude came about due to the discomfort and dissonance caused by immigration policies followed by various branches of government.

The members felt the need to improve and reform how immigration laws were administered and enacted. The organization has been working for more than 70 years toward this cause.

Lawyers associated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association represent U.S. families looking to set permanent residence for their close family members. They provide services to businesses in the U.S., which source talent from the global economy. Members of the association are encouraged to take on pro bono cases for athletes, asylum seekers, international students, entertainers, etc. Members of the association benefit from the extensive network of lawyers and legal experts and other research tools and educational opportunities. Members of the AILA have access to a large social and professional group of lawyers in their local and national chapters of the association.

Lawyers and attorneys interested in working on immigration law benefit largely from the network fostered by the American Immigration Lawyers Association. With over 39 chapters and over 50 national committees across all of the states in America, the AILA boasts an impactful presence in law and policy-related circles. The association has adopted a nonpartisan and not-for-profit approach and provides information, education, professional services, and consultation on all legal matters relating to immigration policy and law.

The AILA connects lawyers to families who require help regarding immigration laws. Additionally, the AILA is focused on developing and honing the skills of lawyers and providing support to help them achieve their professional and educational goals.

What Is the AILA’s Mission?

The AILA was established with the primary mission to provide competent legal aid to immigrants and non-citizens in America and advocate for humane immigration policies and laws. The association works to promote greater awareness about immigration policy through the media and improve jurisprudence in the sphere of immigration. The AILA also encourages the professional growth of its members with a diverse range of cases and responsibilities.

The strategic goals of the AILA are as follows:

1. Have greater member participation in advocacy positions in the Congress, judiciary, executive bodies, and the media.

• The organization aims to promote conversation and interest around immigration-related topics.
• The AILA seeks to promote the education of the general population on topics of U.S. immigration law and policy that’s all-national interest like reuniting American families, protecting asylum seekers and refugees, and helping U.S. employers to employ individuals with unique skill sets.
• The organization also supports the American immigration council’s Legal Action Center and other educational programs across the country.

2. The AILA works toward increasing industry-level knowledge and professionalism among its members. This is done through the following means:

• Announcing the litigation skills of the association’s members to ensure better administration of immigration laws.
• Providing members with assistance to improve their legal practice and overall professional experience.
• Promoting and supporting pro bono programs that provide competent and useful consultation to those requiring help with immigration laws.
• Encouraging greater membership by providing an environment of professional growth and support. 

AILA Pro Bono Programs

The American Immigration Lawyers Association hosts and conducts several pro bono programs to give immigrants a greater chance of seeking legal counsel and lawyers to gain greater experience in immigration law and policy. Here are a few prominent programs that have taken place.

Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation

This program was launched by the ABA’s Children’s Immigration Law Academy in collaboration with other nonprofit legal service firms. The program gives interested lawyers and attorneys the chance to find pro bono opportunities and help youth facing deportation.

Immigration Justice Campaign

The immigration justice campaign started by the American immigration council is an important campaign that advocates for justice for non-citizens detained by the government. The program does so by mentoring lawyers who wish to defend immigrants’ rights in court. This program is run in partnership with local organizations, for example, the Proyecto Dilley.

Citizenship Day 2021

The American Immigration Lawyers Association celebrated Citizenship Day on February 28, 2021. This day was organized to assist local immigrants eligible for U.S. citizenship to apply and seek legal counsel. Interested people can check for further updates and sessions on the association’s website.

AILA’s Tenth Annual Conference Pro Bono Clinic

The AILA held the Dell 10th annual conference for the pro bono clinic on June 12, 2021. Owing to the circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this conference was held virtually. Lawyers held virtual consultations with members of the immigrant community in Maryland.

AILA Military Assistance Program (MAP)

The AILA military assistance program combines the Jag core and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The program is designed to provide legal assistance to immigrating military families. This program is open for active-duty members of the military and their immediate families.

How to Contact the AILA

The American Immigration Lawyers Association can be contacted via multiple channels. Their head office is based out of Washington D.C. Interested people can find their detailed contact information on their website.

The association’s website contains after-date information on various topics, including membership details, new chapters, current pro bono campaigns and programs, and referral programs. Furthermore, if you are looking for an immigration lawyer, you can visit AILA’s immigration lawyer search page to find a lawyer near you.

Read More

• How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
• Immigration Attorney Fees: Everything You Need to Know
• How to Write a Good Moral Character Letter for Court
• What is Prosecutorial Discretion?

Conclusion

Organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association form a vital part of the social and legal fabric of America. The associations work tirelessly to advocate for the rights of immigrants in the courts of the United States.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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