American Immigration Lawyers Association
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), founded on October 14, 1946, is a voluntary bar association of over 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law.[2] AILA member attorneys represent U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace. AILA members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 38 chapters and over 50 national committees. Its national headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
Official AILA Logo | |
Abbreviation | AILA |
---|---|
Formation | October 14, 1946 |
Type | Professional Bar Association |
23-7085097[1] | |
Legal status | 501(c)(6)[1] |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C., United States |
Membership | 15,000 members[2] |
Executive Director | Benjamin Johnson |
President, Executive Committee | Marketa Lindt[3] |
Subsidiaries | 1331 G Street LLC, AILA Professional Services LLC, American Immigration Council 501(c)(3)[1] |
Revenue (2016) | $13,972,228[1] |
Expenses (2016) | $13,409,203[1] |
Employees (2016) | 71[1] |
Volunteers (2016) | 765[1] |
Website | www |
Formerly called | Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers |
History
Originally called the Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers, the association was founded on October 14, 1946, by a group of 19 immigration lawyers and professionals in Manhattan, New York.[4] Twelve of the association founders had recently worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and saw an opportunity to utilize their professional standing “to elevate the standard and reputation of the practitioner appearing before the Immigration Service”[5] Josh Koenigsberg served as the first president of the association with Gaspare Cusumano as vice president, Anita Streep as secretary, and Daniel Caputi as treasurer.[6]
In 1982, the association established a national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and it was renamed the American Immigration Lawyers Association.[6]
By 1985, the association had 1,800 members; a three-fold increase from 1975.[7] As of 2017, there are over 15,000 AILA members spread over 39 chapters in the United States and across the world.[2]
Mission
AILA's mission, as stated on its website, is to: promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.[8]
Publications
AILA Publications is the publishing arm of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is the leading publisher of information and analysis serving the practicing immigration lawyer and those in need of immigration law information. AILA Publications is the publisher of many notable titles—among them are Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity, AILA's Asylum Primer, Litigating Immigration Cases in Federal Court, Representing Clients in Immigration Court, and Essentials of Immigration Law.[9]
References
- "Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". American Immigration Lawyers Association. Guidestar. December 31, 2016.
- "About AILA". American Immigration Lawyers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- "Executive Committee". American Immigration Lawyers Association. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- "Remembering Edward L. Dubroff". American Immigration Law Foundation. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- Levin, Leslie (2010). “Specialty Bars as a Site of Professionalism: The Immigration Bar Example. University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Vol. 8(2), p. 201.
- (2006) “About AILA: Sixty Years of Service, Sixty Years of Excellence”. Immigration Law Today Vol. 25(5), p.8.
- Serrill, Michael S. (July 8, 1985). "A Booming But Tainted Specialty". Time. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
- "Mission & Goals". American Immigration Lawyers Association. Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- "AILA Publications". American Immigration Lawyers Association. Retrieved 2012-03-09.