AILA
@aila.org
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a national association of 18,000+ attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Visit us at aila.org
"They write about missing their friends and teachers, falling behind at school, having unreliable access to medical care when they’re sick — some say they’re sick a lot — and feeling scared about what comes next." https://bit.ly/4qrpPYW
“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility
Hundreds of children are currently being held with their parents at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. In letters and drawings, eight kids convey the pain of feeling trapped with no end...
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 12:10 AM
"They write about missing their friends and teachers, falling behind at school, having unreliable access to medical care when they’re sick — some say they’re sick a lot — and feeling scared about what comes next." https://bit.ly/4qrpPYW
"The raid...may not have made the national headlines that immigration sweeps in Minneapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles did, but it illustrated the depth and breadth of President Trump’s effort...75 people rounded up that day have since been deported." https://nyti.ms/3MjAnva
A Raid in a Small Town Brings Trump's Deportations to Deep-Red Idaho (Gift Article)
Wilder, Idaho, prided itself on comity. Then federal agents stormed a racetrack outside of town in October, and the reverberations are still shaking the community.
nyti.ms
February 9, 2026 at 8:55 PM
"The raid...may not have made the national headlines that immigration sweeps in Minneapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles did, but it illustrated the depth and breadth of President Trump’s effort...75 people rounded up that day have since been deported." https://nyti.ms/3MjAnva
Reposted by AILA
A divided 5th Circuit greenlit ICE’s policy of detaining immigrants without bond, abandoning decades of practice and basic due process. Treating civil immigration cases like criminal punishment erodes the rule of law and human dignity.
Appeals court backs Trump’s mass detention policy
The ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals contradicts thousands of lower-court rulings.
www.politico.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
A divided 5th Circuit greenlit ICE’s policy of detaining immigrants without bond, abandoning decades of practice and basic due process. Treating civil immigration cases like criminal punishment erodes the rule of law and human dignity.
"The conditions in Burlington aren’t zoned or designed to hold people for more than 12 hours. Frankly, the fact that people have been staying there for 10-plus days is inhumane and egregious," said Massachusetts attorney and AILA member Robin Nice. https://bit.ly/3ZmLB5h
ICE detainees from Maine being held under ‘inhumane’ conditions in Mass. facility, attorneys say
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said the allegations of overcrowding and lack of access to lawyers are false.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
"The conditions in Burlington aren’t zoned or designed to hold people for more than 12 hours. Frankly, the fact that people have been staying there for 10-plus days is inhumane and egregious," said Massachusetts attorney and AILA member Robin Nice. https://bit.ly/3ZmLB5h
"A divided federal appellate panel ruled Friday in favor of the Trump administration’s policy of locking up most undocumented immigrants without bond, a decision that legal experts called a serious blow to due process." https://bit.ly/46GidL5
Federal Court Rules ICE Can Continue to Imprison Immigrants Without Bond
The decision eliminates the possibility of release for tens of thousands of immigrants detained in inhumane conditions.
truthout.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"A divided federal appellate panel ruled Friday in favor of the Trump administration’s policy of locking up most undocumented immigrants without bond, a decision that legal experts called a serious blow to due process." https://bit.ly/46GidL5
"The incident became a flash point in ongoing debates over whether immigration officials had gone too far in detaining a young boy...Liam and Conejo were following all 'established protocols' for pursuing asylum and should never have been detained." nbcnews.to/4bBnoiV
Father says 5-year-old son has nightmares and wakes up crying since immigration detention
Adrián Alexander Conejo Arias told Telemundo that his young son, Liam Conejo Ramos, "hasn't been the same since this all happened." The father and son are now back in Minnesota.
nbcnews.to
February 8, 2026 at 7:12 PM
"The incident became a flash point in ongoing debates over whether immigration officials had gone too far in detaining a young boy...Liam and Conejo were following all 'established protocols' for pursuing asylum and should never have been detained." nbcnews.to/4bBnoiV
Reposted by AILA
New polling is clear: Americans want real ICE reform. Supermajorities support visible IDs, bans on masking, independent investigations on wrongdoing, and an end to racial profiling. Voters want accountability and transparency, not unchecked enforcement. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-ameri...
What Americans actually want done about ICE
Democratic proposals for reform earn supermajority support among U.S. voters
www.gelliottmorris.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:07 PM
New polling is clear: Americans want real ICE reform. Supermajorities support visible IDs, bans on masking, independent investigations on wrongdoing, and an end to racial profiling. Voters want accountability and transparency, not unchecked enforcement. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-ameri...
"The draft legislation...would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status on intake forms. Under the legislation, hospitals would then report the data to the state." https://bit.ly/4kvztbJ
Idaho bill requiring hospitals to ask for immigration status sparks privacy concerns
House Bill 592 would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status on their intake forms.
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 4:17 PM
"The draft legislation...would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status on intake forms. Under the legislation, hospitals would then report the data to the state." https://bit.ly/4kvztbJ
"65% of Americans said Immigration and Customs Enforcement has 'gone too far,' according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll." https://n.pr/3NZq6F4
Poll: Two-thirds of Americans say ICE has 'gone too far' in immigration enforcement
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds a jump in disapproval of the agency among Democrats and independents, but Republicans are standing by ICE and the president.
n.pr
February 6, 2026 at 9:48 PM
"65% of Americans said Immigration and Customs Enforcement has 'gone too far,' according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll." https://n.pr/3NZq6F4
Texas Gov. Abbott has directed state agencies & public higher ed to immediately pause filing new H-1B petitions through March 2027. Kathleen Campbell Walker explains how the directive is out of touch with the reality of H-1B and its benefits to Texas. https://bit.ly/4qoJ6dM
Think Immigration: Could Someone Tell Governor Abbott He’s Shooting Texas in the Foot?
AILA Past President Kathleen Campbell Walker details how Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision to pause use of the H-1B visa by state agencies and public institutions of higher education ignores visa-...
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Texas Gov. Abbott has directed state agencies & public higher ed to immediately pause filing new H-1B petitions through March 2027. Kathleen Campbell Walker explains how the directive is out of touch with the reality of H-1B and its benefits to Texas. https://bit.ly/4qoJ6dM
"The Justice Department has hired 33 new immigration judges, including 27 temporary ones, after firing or pushing out more than 100 others as the Trump administration seeks out new recruits to serve as what it dubs 'deportation judges.'" https://reut.rs/3MtdRjF
Trump administration names 33 new immigration judges, most with military backgrounds
The Justice Department has hired 33 immigration judges, including 27 temporary ones, as the Trump administration seeks out new recruits to serve as what it dubs "deportation judges."
reut.rs
February 6, 2026 at 4:39 PM
"The Justice Department has hired 33 new immigration judges, including 27 temporary ones, after firing or pushing out more than 100 others as the Trump administration seeks out new recruits to serve as what it dubs 'deportation judges.'" https://reut.rs/3MtdRjF
“If cases are dismissed at the board level, people will be forced to file appeals directly in the federal courts. Those courts could be swamped because the BIA is relinquishing its core role of reviewing appeals,” said AILA's Greg Chen. https://bit.ly/4a1Iypd
DOJ Limits Immigrants’ Options to Fight Deportation Orders (1)
The Justice Department is largely cutting off an avenue for challenging immigration court orders, a move that helps the Trump administration reduce case backlogs and speed up deportations.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
“If cases are dismissed at the board level, people will be forced to file appeals directly in the federal courts. Those courts could be swamped because the BIA is relinquishing its core role of reviewing appeals,” said AILA's Greg Chen. https://bit.ly/4a1Iypd
"Immigration operation provoked a five-alarm emergency among federal judges in the state, who have grown increasingly frustrated at what they see as overt defiance—caused not by the local prosecutors in Minnesota but by DOJ & DHS leadership in Washington." https://politi.co/3O4Z0wb
‘This job sucks’: Government lawyers, drowning in immigration cases, have had it
Government lawyers say they’re overwhelmed and can’t get a response when they tell ICE to comply with judges’ orders.
politi.co
February 5, 2026 at 9:09 PM
"Immigration operation provoked a five-alarm emergency among federal judges in the state, who have grown increasingly frustrated at what they see as overt defiance—caused not by the local prosecutors in Minnesota but by DOJ & DHS leadership in Washington." https://politi.co/3O4Z0wb
Reposted by AILA
The Administration is gutting due process again. This time by issuing an interim final rule making the Board of Immigration Appeals less relevant and offering immigrants less chance to have their case reviewed unless they go to federal court.
February 5, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The Administration is gutting due process again. This time by issuing an interim final rule making the Board of Immigration Appeals less relevant and offering immigrants less chance to have their case reviewed unless they go to federal court.
"Oregon lawmakers heard emotional testimony this week from nurses, healthcare advocates and community members supporting the Healthcare Without Fear Act—a proposal that would limit the presence of federal immigration officers inside hospitals and clinics." https://bit.ly/4a5mTek
Healthcare Without Fear Act aims to protect patients from immigration enforcement in Oregon hospitals
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers heard emotional testimony this week from nurses, healthcare advocates and community members supporting the Healthcare Without Fear Act — a proposal that would lim...
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 5:35 PM
"Oregon lawmakers heard emotional testimony this week from nurses, healthcare advocates and community members supporting the Healthcare Without Fear Act—a proposal that would limit the presence of federal immigration officers inside hospitals and clinics." https://bit.ly/4a5mTek
"About 700 federal officers — roughly a quarter of the total deployed to Minnesota — will be withdrawn immediately after state and local officials agreed over the past week to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, Homan said." https://bit.ly/4qlSHC1
Trump's border czar is pulling 700 immigration officers out of Minnesota immediately
President Donald Trump's border czar says he is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to turn over arrested immigrants.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"About 700 federal officers — roughly a quarter of the total deployed to Minnesota — will be withdrawn immediately after state and local officials agreed over the past week to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, Homan said." https://bit.ly/4qlSHC1
“Now we’re seeing people detained at immigration courts and US Citizenship and Immigration Services appointments, where they are applying for immigration status," AILA's Heather Hogan told The Times. https://bit.ly/4bCbGED
Trump’s lethal ICE crackdown in seven charts
The Times is tracking deportations by immigration agents as President Trump’s campaign continues at pace
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 1:25 AM
“Now we’re seeing people detained at immigration courts and US Citizenship and Immigration Services appointments, where they are applying for immigration status," AILA's Heather Hogan told The Times. https://bit.ly/4bCbGED
New on the Think Immigration blog, AILA member Stef Fisher-Pinkert compares the requirements of Lozada to those of the Model Rule of Professional Conduct, describing how the additional burden of Lozada is unnecessary and "ethical obligations are enough." https://bit.ly/4a9Ttf9
Think Immigration: All You Need is Love Model Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3
AILA member Stef Fisher-Pinkert compares the requirements of Lozada to those of the Model Rule of Professional Conduct, describing how the additional burden of Lozada is unnecessary, that clearly "our...
www.aila.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
New on the Think Immigration blog, AILA member Stef Fisher-Pinkert compares the requirements of Lozada to those of the Model Rule of Professional Conduct, describing how the additional burden of Lozada is unnecessary and "ethical obligations are enough." https://bit.ly/4a9Ttf9
"DHS's spending on contracts surged 35% during 2025...Much of the money funds President Trump’s mass-deportation agenda, with billions flowing to contractors to build walls, detain and deport immigrants and purchase surveillance technologies." https://on.wsj.com/4bU12td
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM
"DHS's spending on contracts surged 35% during 2025...Much of the money funds President Trump’s mass-deportation agenda, with billions flowing to contractors to build walls, detain and deport immigrants and purchase surveillance technologies." https://on.wsj.com/4bU12td
“When…asked why the agency is not complying, Le said that the government was ‘overwhelmed’ by the legal challenges in Minnesota & that trying to get ICE to comply with court orders has required nonstop work for an office depleted by resignations.” https://bit.ly/4cbjXzv
“This Job Sucks”: DOJ Attorney Asks Judge to Hold Her in Contempt
A lawyer working with the Minnesota attorney's office said she just wants some sleep, after working so hard to try to get ICE to follow court orders.
newrepublic.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:10 PM
“When…asked why the agency is not complying, Le said that the government was ‘overwhelmed’ by the legal challenges in Minnesota & that trying to get ICE to comply with court orders has required nonstop work for an office depleted by resignations.” https://bit.ly/4cbjXzv
"Lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Washington, argues that the program fundamentally changes the way a limited number of visas are dispersed by the government, prioritizing 'wealth over intellect or ability' & bypassing Congress in the process." https://nyti.ms/4thzh3E
Lawsuit Argues Trump Gold Card Visa Program Prioritizes Wealth Over Ability (Gift Article)
The suit asks that a judge find the pay-for-play visa program unlawful, casting it as another example of the Trump administration's seeking to bypass Congress.
nyti.ms
February 4, 2026 at 2:16 PM
"Lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Washington, argues that the program fundamentally changes the way a limited number of visas are dispersed by the government, prioritizing 'wealth over intellect or ability' & bypassing Congress in the process." https://nyti.ms/4thzh3E
"Homeland Security had come after him with what’s known as an administrative subpoena, a powerful legal tool that, unlike the ones people are most familiar with, federal agencies can issue without an order from a judge or grand jury." https://wapo.st/4rtfCw8
February 3, 2026 at 11:08 PM
"Homeland Security had come after him with what’s known as an administrative subpoena, a powerful legal tool that, unlike the ones people are most familiar with, federal agencies can issue without an order from a judge or grand jury." https://wapo.st/4rtfCw8
New edition now available! AILA’s U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Law Toolbox is a practical, easy-to-use resource for immigration attorneys handling citizenship and naturalization matters. Get your copy today: https://bit.ly/4c3KtL8
February 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM
New edition now available! AILA’s U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Law Toolbox is a practical, easy-to-use resource for immigration attorneys handling citizenship and naturalization matters. Get your copy today: https://bit.ly/4c3KtL8
Reposted by AILA
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end TPS for Haiti, making clear that TPS holders cannot be deported or denied work authorization while the case moves forward. AILA celebrates this win & will carefully follow further developments on Haitian TPS.
February 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end TPS for Haiti, making clear that TPS holders cannot be deported or denied work authorization while the case moves forward. AILA celebrates this win & will carefully follow further developments on Haitian TPS.
"In Tennessee, the state provides grants to law enforcement agencies that work with ICE. Since that was passed last year, the number of sheriff's offices and police departments that have signed a formal agreement with ICE has skyrocketed." https://n.pr/3LOZiqx
As some states try to show ICE the door, others put out the welcome mat
After ICE federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, the divide between states on either side of the immigration enforcement debate is growing wider.
n.pr
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM
"In Tennessee, the state provides grants to law enforcement agencies that work with ICE. Since that was passed last year, the number of sheriff's offices and police departments that have signed a formal agreement with ICE has skyrocketed." https://n.pr/3LOZiqx