Think Immigration: AILA 2025: We’ve Got This!

Colleagues,

I want to reach out to you on Inauguration Day, which also happens to be Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

I know that this day is most likely causing you fear about our imminent future, our clients’ futures, and their families’ futures. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

Last month, I authored a blog post aimed at empowering you for the year ahead. I’ve continued to find myself thinking about 2025 and wanted to message you again, letting you know that AILA is here for you. I’ve been reflecting on the journey we’ve shared over the past year, seeing what we’ve already done, and I find comfort in knowing that we are ready. But the key word is “we.” We’ve got this!

Most of us have already experienced the trials of working against an administration that is trying to harm our clients and make their lives more difficult. Our work as immigration lawyers is marked by a myriad of hurdles—some visible, others hidden. Each challenge we face feels daunting and exhausting, but then I remember – we’ve done this before. We’ve overcome challenges before, and AILA is armed with a wealth of resources – the strongest being our very own members – that are going to help us conquer the years ahead. I truly believe that by coming together as a unified community, we can overcome these obstacles and thrive in our mission to support our clients. And when I think about that, although apprehensive, I’m also excited, because we’ve got this!

We are a diverse community, rich in different backgrounds and cultures. This diversity can and should be our strength. It allows us to approach problems from various perspectives and find innovative solutions that benefit those we serve. If we take the time to understand one another internally, we can foster a more collaborative environment that emphasizes kindness over conflict. Last March, the Executive Committee attended an antisemitism training at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles that left a profound impact on me. There, we learned how important it is to try to meet people where they are. One of the most meaningful messages I took away was the importance of not responding to hate with hate. In our work, we often encounter challenging situations where misunderstandings can arise. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming bad intentions, especially when tensions run high or when we feel under attack. However, by choosing to assume good intentions, we open the door to productive dialogue and cooperation. This shared purpose can unite us in ways that transcend our differences, transform professional relationships, and create an amazing community committed to justice for our clients. We have to unify as a community now in order to serve our clients.

Throughout the past year, my service to our organization has been an intense experience. Collaborating with the Executive Committee, AILA leadership has prioritized connecting closely with our membership. I am proud to share that we engaged in over 25 conferences and liaison meetings with government representatives in 2024.  From California, to Florida, to Boston, if there has been an in-person opportunity to meet with the membership, AILA’s Executive Committee has made the effort to be physically present. Rest assured that AILA leadership is committed to being available and present for you even more this year in hopes of inspiring courage and confidence to help our members’ practices. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.” Strengthening our relationships throughout the membership is going to be critical in the times we face ahead so we can be courageous together to overcome the obstacles that will be thrown at us.

It is my sincere hope that as we embark on this new administration, we can continue our commitment to working together. Let’s lift each other up, share our experiences, and collaborate to achieve our common goal: to help our clients navigate the immigration obstacles we face ahead. Together, we’ve got this!