The American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) was established in 1987 as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit educational, charitable organization. The Foundation is dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration law and policy and the value of immigration to American
society, and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law for immigrants.
Working closely with leading immigration experts throughout the country, AILF has established four core program areas.
Legal Action Center
In 1990, AILF created the Legal Action Center to promote fundamental fairness for immigrants, their families, and their employers. The Center has played a leading role among immigration law advocates and is staffed by experienced immigration practitioners and litigators. It conducts impact litigation, including filing affirmative suits against the INS.
The Center has also filed merits and amicus briefs in the federal courts and other administrative agencies. In addition, the Center provides technical assistance and support to lawyers litigating immigration issues
Immigration Policy Center
AILF’s newest initiative, the Immigration Policy Center is a “think tank” dedicated to research and analysis about the contributions made to America by immigrants. The IPC publishes short biweekly policy briefs on topics such as immigrants in the military, as well as longer more in depth policy reports bimonthly on topics such as the importance of Mexican workers to America’s economy and the United States’ ability to compete in the global battle for workers who will allow America to remain economically competitive in the years ahead.
The IPC also works to disseminate its studies and papers to a broad audience of both national policymakers and media and local opinion leaders in cities throughout the country. Congressional briefings, press conferences, and symposia are also used to present AILF’s findings to the public.
Public Education Program
Two principal areas of activity make up AILF’s Public Education Program. The Curriculum Center develops resources for teachers and students in the classroom who are exploring our nation’s immigrant heritage; accomplishments include the creation of a immigration history lesson plan search engine, publication of policy reports on the contributions of immigrants to America, and the annual sponsorship of a nationwide creative writing contest for fifth graders on the topic “Why I’m Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.”
In the AILF Exhibit Hall in Washington, the Foundation sponsors traveling immigration history exhibits from museums throughout the country. AILF also has created an original exhibit about the history of immigration law, which is available for loan to other facilities nationwide.