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
"A surge of enforcement in Columbus by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the past week has created turmoil there and angered local leaders, who find their city the latest target of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign." https://nyti.ms/4qtlR2E
ICE Sweeps Into Ohio, Stirring Fear Among Somalis and Other Immigrants
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"A surge of enforcement in Columbus by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the past week has created turmoil there and angered local leaders, who find their city the latest target of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign." https://nyti.ms/4qtlR2E
"The Trump administration has finalized a controversial immigration rule that will significantly change the H-1B selection process to favor individuals in senior positions...Business and university groups are expected to challenge the rule in court." https://bit.ly/4p8ZhLk
DHS Finalizes Controversial Immigration Rule On H-1B Lottery
The Trump administration has finalized a controversial immigration rule that will significantly change the H-1B selection process.
www.forbes.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"The Trump administration has finalized a controversial immigration rule that will significantly change the H-1B selection process to favor individuals in senior positions...Business and university groups are expected to challenge the rule in court." https://bit.ly/4p8ZhLk
"The Women’s Refugee Commission, and Physicians for Human Rights, claim that over half of the newly-arrived migrants they spoke with in Honduras said they were not given the option of bringing their children with them." https://bit.ly/4pPvkRH
Report: ICE causing ‘family separations' by deporting immigrants without their children
A new report accuses U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of family separation for deporting migrants to Honduras without their children.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
"The Women’s Refugee Commission, and Physicians for Human Rights, claim that over half of the newly-arrived migrants they spoke with in Honduras said they were not given the option of bringing their children with them." https://bit.ly/4pPvkRH
"A federal judge on Monday said the U.S. government denied due process to the Venezuelan men it deported to a prison in El Salvador in March after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act." https://n.pr/3Nf1R5b
Federal judge says U.S. must give due process to deported Venezuelans
Judge James Boasberg said the U.S. denied due process to the Venezuelan men it deported to a prison in El Salvador after President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
n.pr
December 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
"A federal judge on Monday said the U.S. government denied due process to the Venezuelan men it deported to a prison in El Salvador in March after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act." https://n.pr/3Nf1R5b
"A fresh visa appointment may not even be available within the applicant’s current H-1B validity period, according to Kate Angustia, AILA Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel. 'This will be a significant challenge for H-1B workers [and] US employers.'" https://bit.ly/4p4QVEz
Lives on hold: How H-1B holders stuck in India are navigating legal chaos as US government postpones renewal timelines
While the intent is to streamline the system and curb H-1B abuse, the execution has disproportionately affected legally employed workers with established careers in the US, said experts.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 12:58 AM
"A fresh visa appointment may not even be available within the applicant’s current H-1B validity period, according to Kate Angustia, AILA Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel. 'This will be a significant challenge for H-1B workers [and] US employers.'" https://bit.ly/4p4QVEz
"Really what they're doing is creating such fear in the community that people are afraid to pursue their rights," said AILA member Jan Bejar. "People are afraid to file for adjustment, people are afraid to go to their interviews." https://bit.ly/4pLQb8B
ICE traps immigrants at green card interviews
"People are afraid to go to their interviews."
bit.ly
December 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM
"Really what they're doing is creating such fear in the community that people are afraid to pursue their rights," said AILA member Jan Bejar. "People are afraid to file for adjustment, people are afraid to go to their interviews." https://bit.ly/4pLQb8B
"This article sets out to address the concerning practice of treating state juvenile justice system records the same as adult records in federal immigration proceedings." By Sarah Diaz, Jessica Heldman, Lisa Jacobs & Sierra Garcia in the #AILALawJournal https://bit.ly/3JfwpT5
No Second Chance: The Inappropriate Use of Juvenile Delinquencies in Immigration Law Adjudications
By Sarah Diaz, Jessica Heldman, Lisa Jacobs, and Sierra Garcia
www.aila.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
"This article sets out to address the concerning practice of treating state juvenile justice system records the same as adult records in federal immigration proceedings." By Sarah Diaz, Jessica Heldman, Lisa Jacobs & Sierra Garcia in the #AILALawJournal https://bit.ly/3JfwpT5
"The Trump administration has also been busy revoking legal status for immigrants who entered the country through legal pathways — affecting at least 1.6 million people — by canceling programs and protections like...humanitarian parole and student visas." https://n.pr/4qlzj8m
How the Trump administration stripped legal status from 1.6 million immigrants : Consider This from NPR
The Trump administration has removed over 600,000 people without legal status from the U.S. through deportation this year, according to the Department of Homeland Security.The Trump administration has...
n.pr
December 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"The Trump administration has also been busy revoking legal status for immigrants who entered the country through legal pathways — affecting at least 1.6 million people — by canceling programs and protections like...humanitarian parole and student visas." https://n.pr/4qlzj8m
"Her family has now been told she has been deported, despite US District Judge Brendan Hurson ruling Thursday that she could not be deported pending a hearing...attorneys said Monday that they have...confirm[ed] with the hospital she was born in Maryland." https://bit.ly/3MMdJvz
ICE detains woman whose lawyer insists is US citizen. DHS says she isn't
Federal agents arrested Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales on her way home in Baltimore, Maryland.
bit.ly
December 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"Her family has now been told she has been deported, despite US District Judge Brendan Hurson ruling Thursday that she could not be deported pending a hearing...attorneys said Monday that they have...confirm[ed] with the hospital she was born in Maryland." https://bit.ly/3MMdJvz
The House passed H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act, and the Senate is now considering the legislation as S. 3054. Urge your Senators to protect children and vote NO by using AILA’s advocacy tool. https://bit.ly/4b4L7Yh
Take Action: Urge the Senate to Vote NO on S.3054 and Protect Children and Families
The House passed H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act, and the Senate is now considering the legislation as S. 3054. Urge your Senators to vote NO and protect unaccompanied children.
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 11:16 PM
The House passed H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act, and the Senate is now considering the legislation as S. 3054. Urge your Senators to protect children and vote NO by using AILA’s advocacy tool. https://bit.ly/4b4L7Yh
"Through its travel ban, the Trump administration has halted the legal immigration process for roughly 20% of people in the system, according to a review from the CATO Institute." https://bit.ly/4pQmlzG
Trump's new crackdown: Collective punishment for legal immigrants
They are a "pretext for ... undoing so many aspects of the immigration system," one expert said.
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"Through its travel ban, the Trump administration has halted the legal immigration process for roughly 20% of people in the system, according to a review from the CATO Institute." https://bit.ly/4pQmlzG
"The government spends $3,500 per individual self-deportation...But critics argue there are other prices attached, both financial and personal...For one, immigrants are thought to contribute nearly $580 billion per year in taxes." https://bit.ly/3YaMj4T
The true cost of self-deportation
The Department of Homeland Security has branded self-deportation a ‘dignified’ route out of the country. But advocates warn those who choose to do so may not be able to return for years — or at all. K...
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"The government spends $3,500 per individual self-deportation...But critics argue there are other prices attached, both financial and personal...For one, immigrants are thought to contribute nearly $580 billion per year in taxes." https://bit.ly/3YaMj4T
"Administration officials say they plan to hire thousands more agents, open new detention centers, pick up more immigrants in local jails and partner with outside companies to track down people without legal status." https://reut.rs/4q06Rcz
Trump set to expand immigration crackdown in 2026 despite brewing backlash
Trump plans more workplace raids and billions of dollars in ICE and Border Patrol funding.
reut.rs
December 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"Administration officials say they plan to hire thousands more agents, open new detention centers, pick up more immigrants in local jails and partner with outside companies to track down people without legal status." https://reut.rs/4q06Rcz
NEW: AILA President Jeff Joseph responds to the Trump Administration's recent immigration changes, including the expansion of the ban, widespread cancellations of citizenship oath ceremonies, and halt to the Diversity Visa program. https://bit.ly/48WFVod
AILA: Trump Administration Moves Harm Families and Employers and Do Not Make America Safer
AILA President Jeff Joseph responds to the Trump Administration's recent changes, including the expansion of the ban and halt to the Diversity Visa program, noting the continued weaponization of “trag...
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW: AILA President Jeff Joseph responds to the Trump Administration's recent immigration changes, including the expansion of the ban, widespread cancellations of citizenship oath ceremonies, and halt to the Diversity Visa program. https://bit.ly/48WFVod
"NPR identified at least 16 shuttered facilities across a dozen states that have reopened as Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers since President Trump took office in January. Most were state or federal prisons." https://n.pr/4pPlBuS
ICE is reopening shuttered prisons as detention centers. Many have a troubled past
In its push for more immigrant detention space, the Trump administration is reopening shuttered prisons in several states. Many of these facilities closed amid allegations of abuse and mismanagement.
n.pr
December 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
"NPR identified at least 16 shuttered facilities across a dozen states that have reopened as Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers since President Trump took office in January. Most were state or federal prisons." https://n.pr/4pPlBuS
The Remarkable Immigration Stories Of Nobel Prize Winners Omar Yaghi And Joel Mokyr, Former Soldier Helps Vietnamese Refugees Overcome Immigration Obstacles, and many more in Forbes "The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025" by Stuart Anderson. https://bit.ly/4aUqPk7
The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025
2025 saw inspiring immigrant athletes, thankful refugees and immigrants who sacrificed to build a better life in their adopted country.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Remarkable Immigration Stories Of Nobel Prize Winners Omar Yaghi And Joel Mokyr, Former Soldier Helps Vietnamese Refugees Overcome Immigration Obstacles, and many more in Forbes "The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025" by Stuart Anderson. https://bit.ly/4aUqPk7
"A federal judge on Wednesday said President Donald Trump's administration cannot bar members of Congress from making unannounced visits to immigrant detention facilities." https://reut.rs/4921gv8
US judge says Trump cannot ban lawmakers' surprise visits to ICE facilities
The judge said it violates federal law.
reut.rs
December 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
"A federal judge on Wednesday said President Donald Trump's administration cannot bar members of Congress from making unannounced visits to immigrant detention facilities." https://reut.rs/4921gv8
"We've never seen this before. A naturalization exam being canceled outright and not being told when it might be rescheduled," said Sacramento immigration attorney and AILA member Hugo Vera. https://bit.ly/3MJvgED
'De-scheduled': Immigration interview cancellations leave applicants in limbo
"We were told that all the naturalization appointments had been cancelled," a Sacramento immigration attorney told KCRA 3.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"We've never seen this before. A naturalization exam being canceled outright and not being told when it might be rescheduled," said Sacramento immigration attorney and AILA member Hugo Vera. https://bit.ly/3MJvgED
"He expected to be admitted to the United States – allowed to apply for a green card and to wait for his family to arrive. Instead, he’s been taken to six different detention centers in Texas, Louisiana and now Virginia." https://bit.ly/4j3hzwd
Man trying to escape war in Ukraine lands in ICE detention in Virginia
In September there were more than 58,000 people in U.S. immigration detention centers, up by more than 20,000 from the same time last year. About 90% of those facilities are run by private, for-profit...
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"He expected to be admitted to the United States – allowed to apply for a green card and to wait for his family to arrive. Instead, he’s been taken to six different detention centers in Texas, Louisiana and now Virginia." https://bit.ly/4j3hzwd
"ICE and CBP would conduct targeted operations at southern border ports, including commercial buses, to detain people 'self-removing' and place them in formal deportation proceedings." https://bit.ly/49gjpqe
'Operation Irish Goodbye': ICE to detain migrants voluntarily leaving the US as part of Trump's deportation campaign
Detaining migrants who leave voluntarily may be a way to impose long-term reentry penalties, since formal removal can bar people from returning for years or even permanently.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
"ICE and CBP would conduct targeted operations at southern border ports, including commercial buses, to detain people 'self-removing' and place them in formal deportation proceedings." https://bit.ly/49gjpqe
"Agreements between ICE and local law enforcement...allow state police, troopers and corrections officers to act as local arms of the national immigration enforcement agency, carrying out arrests at a growing rate." https://bit.ly/48XgZeZ
ICE arrests in Oklahoma continue to rise with the help of local law enforcement
In Oklahoma, local jails and other lock-ups are being used to facilitate about half of the state’s immigration arrests, a new report says.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 1:51 AM
"Agreements between ICE and local law enforcement...allow state police, troopers and corrections officers to act as local arms of the national immigration enforcement agency, carrying out arrests at a growing rate." https://bit.ly/48XgZeZ
A new article in the AILA Law Journal zeros in on arguments to keep juvenile records out of immigration proceedings at every level. Read more from AILA members Lisa Jacobs, Jessica Heldman, and Sarah Diaz on #ThinkImmigration https://bit.ly/4pJ4AT1
Think Immigration: The Hidden Harms of ICE’s Treatment of Children and Youth
AILA Law Journal authors Lisa Jacobs, Jessica Heldman, and Sarah Diaz share more about the inherent injustice in the use of juvenile records in immigration proceedings and why the practice, which caus...
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A new article in the AILA Law Journal zeros in on arguments to keep juvenile records out of immigration proceedings at every level. Read more from AILA members Lisa Jacobs, Jessica Heldman, and Sarah Diaz on #ThinkImmigration https://bit.ly/4pJ4AT1
"Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and masked federal agents have resumed immigration operations in and around Chicago, weeks after he and hundreds of agents left the area at the start of the winter season." https://bit.ly/3MFene9
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Back in Chicago as Federal Immigration Operations Ramp Back Up
Illinois officials have confirmed that a large group of federal agents returned to Chicago and have resumed “terrorizing our community,” Illinois Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia said Tuesday.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and masked federal agents have resumed immigration operations in and around Chicago, weeks after he and hundreds of agents left the area at the start of the winter season." https://bit.ly/3MFene9
"Expanding the list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the U.S. to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. The administration also fully restricted travel on people with Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents." https://nbcnews.to/4oXN788
Trump expands travel ban, adding 5 more countries and imposing new limits on others
The countries added to the list are Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. People with Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents are also fully restricted from U.S. travel.
nbcnews.to
December 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"Expanding the list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the U.S. to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. The administration also fully restricted travel on people with Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents." https://nbcnews.to/4oXN788
"In an instant, the work — and hope — that the family had invested toward economic stability and living lawfully in the U.S. for nearly a decade disappeared." https://bit.ly/4rWUSxI
Trump immigration policy upends lives of Texas migrants
Last month the Trump administration made people from 19 nations ineligible to obtain legal status. “Fear won,” said one woman who came from Venezuela nearly a decade ago.
bit.ly
December 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"In an instant, the work — and hope — that the family had invested toward economic stability and living lawfully in the U.S. for nearly a decade disappeared." https://bit.ly/4rWUSxI