AILA Presents Rebecca Kitson with the 2022 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recognizes Rebecca Kitson with the 2022 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award.

As one of her nominators put it, “She is an extremely effective teacher. I attribute much of my knowledge and expertise in immigration law to Rebecca’s teaching and mentorship. Beyond just telling students how to do something, she is excellent at creating space for creative thinking and approaches to immigration law.”

She is also committed to creating more teachers and mentors by mentoring other law professors who have limited experience in immigration law on how to teach and advise students in immigration matters, creating opportunities for growth and expansion in the clinical instruction of immigration law.

Since 2009, Rebecca Kitson has taught immigration law courses as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law (UNMSOL). She also sits on the task force for UNMSOL Border Justice Initiative.

Ms. Kitson runs her firm with offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, practicing humanitarian relief, family-based immigration, and removal defense. She is the Chair of the AILA Texas-New Mexico-Oklahoma Chapter, frequently serves as an AILA presenter, and has contributed to multiple editions of the Consular Practice Handbook and Waivers Book.

She previously served as the New Mexico AILA-USCIS Liaison. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including a Distinguished Achievement Award by the NM Disciplinary Board (2016), and is recognized as a Woman of Influence by Albuquerque Business First (2020).

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established 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.