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Committee Descriptions

  1. Advocacy

    Members of the Chicago Advocacy Committee serve as liaisons between the Illinois Congressional Delegation and AILA members. The committee promotes AILA’s mission to advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy by participating in AILA’s National Day of Action, as well as frequent outreach to our congressional representatives. Within the Chapter, the committee provides updates on pending legislation and shares requests for members to Take Action through commenting on legislation. The committee also encourages members to contact their own representatives on important policies and legislation. Outreach to chapter members and the public through social media is also within the committee’s purview.

  2. AIC Ambassadors

    The American Immigration Council Ambassadors Committee serves as the AILA Chicago Chapter’s primary liaison to the American Immigration Council, advancing the Council’s mission through education, advocacy, and community engagement. The Committee works to amplify the Council’s initiatives—including litigation, research, and public education—within the Chicago legal community and beyond.

  3. Asylum Liaison

    The AILA Chicago Chapter’s Asylum Liaison Committee promotes and centralizes communication between the Chicago Asylum Office and AILA members. The Committee presents member questions to the Chicago Asylum Office leadership; reports Asylum Office trends, updates and policy changes to AILA members; and responds to AILA member queries related to the Asylum Office.

  4. CBP

    The AILA Chicago Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) Liaison coordinates with CBP to monitor issues and trends with respect to admissions policy and procedures at U.S. ports of entry, including southern and northern border. The committee raises issues of concern at the national level to relevant agency offices, including CBP-OFO and ARO. On occasion, other agency offices may be included. Additionally, the committee prepares agendas, practice pointers and alerts for AILA members, as well as monitors the AILA Network (e.g., AILA Message Center, AILA social media) to spot issue trends, and collaborate in rapid response. The committee responds to direct member reports, and provides comments to proposed CBP regulations and proposals, when these are presented.

  5. Citizenship

    Members of the AILA Citizenship Committee lead the Chicago chapter’s coordination of AILA Citizenship Day, a nationwide event each September that provides lawful permanent residents with pro bono legal support as they pursue U.S. citizenship. The committee works closely with community-based organizations to plan the event and ensure it runs smoothly. Committee members also serve as volunteers, offering high‑quality legal screening for naturalization applicants and helping recruit additional AILA members to participate. Through this work, members gain meaningful opportunities to engage in pro bono service, expand their professional networks, and support community members on their path toward becoming U.S. citizens.

  6. CLE

    The Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering high-quality educational programming that supports the professional growth and legal excellence of its members. The Committee plans and organizes a diverse range of CLE programs—including seminars, webinars, panel discussions, and workshops—covering both foundational and advanced topics in immigration law.

  7. Courtroom Skills

    This committee is tasked with planning the Chicago Chapter’s Courtroom Skills Workshop held annually in the fall. The workshop is a moot court style, hands on 2-day workshop using case prompts and live witnesses to help attorneys of all skill levels hone their direct exam techniques emphasizing the persuasive presentation of witness testimony.

  8. CVLS

    The Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter promotes pro bono service and community engagement by connecting members with volunteer opportunities through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS). The Committee supports AILA Chicago’s commitment to expanding access to justice for low-income and underserved immigrant communities in the Chicagoland area.

  9. Diplomatic & Govt. Relations

    The purpose of the AILA Chicago Diplomatic and Government Liaison Committee is to liaison with various local, state and national government agencies, the Dept of State local operations, and the foreign diplomatic corps in Chicago to collaborate on issues related to immigration law and policy affecting their constituents and our extended community. Our mission is to foster strong knowledge of inter-government relations, facilitate effective communication and garner collaboration between stakeholders.

  10. EOIR Liaison

    The AILA EOIR Liaison Committee coordinates with local EOIR liaisons to monitor issues, trends, and policies that relate to individuals in removal proceedings before the immigration courts and the BIA. The committee meets virtually on a regular basis, prepares practice pointers, tracks trends based on AILA member experiences, and provides comments on announcements or policy changes affecting individuals in removal proceedings. They also collect and send related trends to EOIR officials.

  11. Ethics

    The Ethics Committee is a newly restructured committee that collaborates with AILA’s Practice and Professionalism Center to provide substantive materials and resources on legal ethics issues AILA members face in today’s immigration law practice. The committee works to improve accessibility to this member benefit and produces materials for AILA conferences and across multiple media platforms

  12. Finance & Budget Committee

    The Finance & Budget Committee is responsible for engaging and reviewing AILA Chicago Chapter’s budget, reviewing financial conflicts of interest, and monitoring AILA’s financial policies and reporting.

  13. ICE/ERO

    The AILA Chicago ICE Liaison Committee coordinates with local ICE liaisons to monitor issues, trends, and policies that relate to enforcement actions, enforcement priorities, detention, and removal proceedings. The committee meets virtually on a regular basis, prepares practice pointers, tracks trends based on AILA member experiences, and provides comments on announcements or policy changes affecting individuals who have interactions with ICE. They also collect and send related trends to ICE officials.

  14. ICE Workplace Enforcement Committee

    The ICE Workplace Enforcement Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter monitors, analyzes, and educates members on developments related to worksite enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Committee serves as a key resource for practitioners navigating employer compliance, enforcement trends, and the intersection of immigration and labor law. The Committee tracks policy changes, enforcement priorities, and emerging issues related to audits, inspections, raids, and employer sanctions. It provides timely updates and practical guidance to AILA Chicago members representing both employers and employees affected by workplace enforcement actions.

  15. IL SOS Committee

    The Illinois Secretary of State Liaison committee aims to hold twice yearly meetings with representatives from the Illinois Secretary of State to discuss issues with non U.S. citizens obtaining driver’s licenses and state IDs. The committee provides reports on these meetings to the chapter to assist Chapter members whose clients have or may have issues obtaining Illinois driver’s licenses or state IDs. The committee also provides case-specific assistance on request in appropriate situations where it appears a member’s client has or may have been wrongly denied an Illinois driver’s license or state ID.

  16. Law Student Engagement Committee

    The AILA Law Student Engagement (LSE) Committee oversees the planning and development of AILA law student member programs, resources, and events at the chapter level. The committee also works in conjunction with the AILA National Law Student Engagement Committee to plan programs and events at the local level.

  17. Legal Services for Detainees Committee

    The Legal Services for Detainees Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter is dedicated to expanding access to legal information and representation for individuals detained in immigration custody. The Committee works to support and coordinate pro bono and low-cost legal services for detainees, with a focus on promoting due process and ensuring meaningful access to counsel. The Committee collaborates with legal service providers, advocacy organizations, and detention facilities—including those operated or overseen by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—to identify needs and facilitate the delivery of legal assistance. This includes coordinating volunteer opportunities, legal orientation efforts, and representation initiatives for individuals in removal proceedings.

  18. Listserv/Library Committee

    The Listserv/Library Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter serves as a central hub for knowledge-sharing, communication, and resource development among chapter members. The Committee oversees the Chapter’s listserv and curated resource library, facilitating the timely exchange of information, practice insights, and legal updates. The Committee moderates and maintains the Chapter’s listserv to ensure that communications remain professional, relevant, and valuable to members. It promotes active engagement by encouraging thoughtful discussion, sharing practice tips, and disseminating announcements, updates, and time-sensitive information related to immigration law and policy.

  19. Litigation Committee

    The Litigation Committee supports and advances the effective use of litigation in federal and administrative forums to protect the rights of noncitizens and ensure accountability in the immigration system. The Committee serves as a resource for practitioners engaged in complex and strategic litigation, including matters before federal district courts, courts of appeals, and administrative bodies such as the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Committee monitors developments in immigration-related litigation, including precedent decisions, policy challenges, and trends affecting judicial review. It provides timely updates, practice advisories, and opportunities for members to deepen their litigation skills across a range of areas, such as habeas corpus petitions, mandamus actions, petitions for review, and constitutional claims.

  20. Midwest Regional Conference Committee (MRC)

    The Midwest Regional Conference Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the Chapter’s annual Midwest Regional Conference—one of its premier educational and networking events. The Conference serves as a key forum for immigration practitioners to engage with emerging developments, evolving trends, and best practices in immigration law. The Committee oversees all aspects of conference planning, including program development, speaker selection, logistics, sponsorship coordination, and attendee engagement. Committee members work collaboratively to design a dynamic and comprehensive agenda that addresses both foundational and advanced topics, ensuring that the Conference meets the diverse needs of practitioners across experience levels.

  21. National Pro Bono Liaison Committee

    This committee serves as the primary bridge between the Chapter and AILA’s national pro bono initiatives. The Committee works to promote, coordinate, and expand member participation in pro bono opportunities aligned with AILA’s commitment to access to justice for immigrant communities. The Committee disseminates information regarding national pro bono projects, campaigns, and volunteer opportunities, including those developed in partnership with the American Immigration Council and other advocacy organizations. It encourages AILA Chicago members to engage in remote and local pro bono efforts, including representation, legal consultations, and support for impact litigation initiatives.

  22. National Well Being Committee

    The Well-Being Committee collaborates with AILA’s Practice and Professionalism Center to provide substantive materials and resources on well-being issues AILA members face in immigration law practice. The committee works to improve accessibility to this member benefit and produces programming and materials for Well-Being Week and other educational programming across multiple medias.

  23. NMD (New Members Division)

    The AILA New Members Division (NMD) Committee works in conjunction with AILA Chicago EB to plan programs and events at the local level and serves as mentors to chapter members aspiring for leadership roles within the organization. The AILA Chicago Chapter secretary will, once a month, email a link to a roster of new members who have joined the Chicago Chapter to the NMD chair(s). The Chicago NMD committee will identify new members from this list and provide those individuals with a welcome packet.

  24. OCC Liaison Committee

    The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) Liaison Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter serves as a key channel of communication between Chapter members and the local offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), commonly referred to as OCC. The Committee works to facilitate constructive dialogue, address systemic concerns, and promote transparency and efficiency in interactions between practitioners and government counsel. The Committee gathers feedback from AILA Chicago members regarding practice issues, procedural challenges, and trends observed in removal proceedings. It compiles and presents these concerns to OCC leadership through formal liaison meetings and written inquiries, while also communicating agency responses and guidance back to the Chapter.

  25. Social Committee

    The Social Committee of the AILA Chicago Chapter fosters community, connection, and collegiality among members by planning and organizing social and networking events throughout the year. The Committee plays a key role in strengthening relationships within the Chapter and creating opportunities for members to engage outside of formal educational settings. The Committee coordinates a variety of events, including happy hours, seasonal gatherings, networking receptions, and celebrations aligned with Chapter milestones and major programs. These events are designed to be inclusive and welcoming to members at all stages of their careers, from new attorneys to experienced practitioners.

  26. SSA Liaison Committee

    The Social Security Agency Liaison of the AILA Chicago Chapter, works to address and resolve challenges related to Social Security matters, including obtaining Social Security numbers, understanding benefits eligibility, and navigating the complexities of SSA processes for non-citizens. Additionally, the liaison provides a platform for members to voice concerns and suggestions to the SSA, advocating for the fair and efficient treatment of immigrant populations. Past SSA chairs have stated that the Chicago Regional SSA Office is nothing short of AMAZING and has even connected us with SSA reps in other districts to obtain resolution for our chapter. SSA chairs are asked to reach out to SSA contacts at the start of every year and throughout the year. The Chicago SSA office often does a roundtable in the summer and have invited AILA Chicago SSA committee members to this in the past.

  27. USCIS Liaison Committee

    The AILA Chicago USCIS Liaison Committee identifies and addresses policy and legal issues that affect the receipt, processing, and adjudication of applications and petitions for immigration benefits. The committee prepares practice pointers on USCIS policy changes, monitors the AILA Message Center to spot issues, tracks trends based on AILA member experiences, provides comments to proposed USCIS regulations, form changes, and policy memoranda, and uses every avenue to bring policy issues to the attention of USCIS.