1. Who is the American Immigration Council?
AILA and the American Immigration Council
A Proud History.
A Powerful Voice.
A Proven Partnership.

2. Who is the American Immigration Council?
AILA’s non-profit partner
Started more than 27 years ago by AILA leaders
Enhance the POWER and REACH of immigration bar
Pursue work important to the AILA community
Bringing new resources and new partnerships

3. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Connects AILA to broader community that shares our mission and values
Advocates
Scholars
Educators
Students
Organizations
General public
AILA is our foundation and will always help guide our work

4. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Preserving our proud history as a nation of immigrants through:
Research and Policy Analysis
Legal Advocacy, Litigation and Resources
Education Outreach
Cultural Exchange

5. Research and Policy Analysis
Mission: Shape a rational conversation on immigration
provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society.
Refute myths
Foster concerns that reform is needed
Beth Werlin, Policy Director
Guillermo Cantor, Deputy Director of Research

6. Legal Education and Litigation
Mission: Protect the legal and constitutional rights of noncitizens and ensure that immigration law is interpreted and implemented in a manner that is sensible and humane. 
impact litigation
works with other immigrants’ rights organizations and attorneys
litigation-related legal resources for immigration advocates, including in-depth practice advisories and litigation meetings.
Melissa Crow, Legal Director

7. Education Outreach Claire Tesh, Senior Manager of Education
Mission: To promote a better understanding of immigrants and immigration by providing educational resources that inspire thoughtful dialogue, creative teaching and critical thinking.
Provide resources and host workshops for educators and community leaders
Engage youth through creative outlets
Creative Writing Contest
Multimedia Contest
Mini-grants to fund innovative projects
Claire Tesh, Senior Manager of Education

8. Cultural Exchange
Mission: Respect, value, and celebrate cultural differences, by creating a synergy of the best ideas from many cultures for the benefit of all.
Foster the exchange of culture, ideas and knowledge through sponsorship of the J-1 visa.
The premier provider of J-1 services to the AILA community.
Lois Magee, Cultural Exchange Director

9. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Honor outstanding immigrants and their advocates
New York Immigrant Achievement Award
DC Immigrant Achievement Awards (April)
American Heritage Awards (June)

10. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Ben Johnson, Executive Director
Wendy Feliz, Communications Director
Wilma Linares, Finance & Operations Director
Megan Hess, Development Director

11. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Council Ambassador – Batya Schwartz Ehrens
Local Board Members
Noemi Masliah
Lisa Koenig
Bob Juceam
Local Board Alumni
Jonathan Avirom, Lenni Benson, Margaret Catillaz, Jules Coven, Cyrus Mehta, Marcia Needleman, Deb Notkin, Ted Ruthizer, Annie Wang
Creative Writing Contest Coordinator - Lili Biesemeyer

12. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Current Work…
CARA Project
collaboration with AILA and other organizations to #EndFamilyDetention
$150,000 raised in funds from outside the AILA community
Powerful litigation and advocacy

13. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Current work…
Business Litigation Fellow: Leslie Dellon
Co-counsel business cases to reverse the “culture of no”
Extensive expertise to provide thoughtful practice assistance
Submit critical amicus briefs to:
preserve due process and fundamental fairness in PERM adjudications
preserve federal court jurisdiction over visa petition revocation procedures
Comment on proposed rulemaking regarding business immigration issues
Contact Leslie at

14. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Current work…
Lifting up the economic contributions of immigrants
Resource for facts
testifying before Congress
Point person for press
Working with integration groups

15. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Current work…
Special Reports:
The Criminalization of Immigration in the United States
Challenged myths about immigrants and crime
A Guide to Children Arriving at the Border
Primer on the complex issues surrounding minors
A Humane Approach Can Work
Makes the case for releasing asylum seekers from detention

16. Who is the American Immigration Council?
Current work…
Litigation:
EAP lawsuit
Appointed Counsel
CBP FOIA Lawsuit
Short term Detention

17. Who is the American Immigration Council?
How can you get involved?
Donate via dues renewal
Volunteer – Creative Writing Contest
Attend an event
Connect
ImmigrationImpact.com (Text FACTS to 51555)
Facebook & Twitter
Use and share our resources
Use our J-1 Program