American Immigration Lawyers Association Chicago Chapter

09/21/2026

The AILA Chicago Chapter's Diplomatic & Government Relations Committee had our 2nd annual Summit event last week. Thank you much to our attendees, our speakers, and of course the committee members who put so much time into organizing and hosting the event.

09/03/2026

What could be easier than helping to support a great cause than to do it by having a beer?! The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (MBIF) helps pay immigration bonds for people who have been granted release but remain detained because they cannot afford their bond. With the fund currently depleted, support is urgently needed to help bring people home to their families. Please come out to the The Pony Inn on 9/23 on between 5:30 and 7:30 to treat yourself to your favorite cocktail and to help someone get home. Bring thirsty friends!

If trying to lay off the booze you can always just donate directly to MIBF by going to their website at mibfc.org

08/14/2026

It was the wettest Race Judicata most of us had ever seen. Not sure if it ever stopped raining the entire 4 hours people were there, but many of us showed up anyway, and what's more, had a good time despite the weather. Thank you to all our members who came out!

08/13/2026

Race Judicata is today at 6:00 PM at Lincoln Park! And it looks like the weather has no intention of cooperating. Good thing for us that as Chicagoans, and immigration lawyers, we know how to weather a storm. So come rain, or come shine … we’re doing this thing!

Come by our tent AILA Chicago Chapter members for some food, drinks, and a chance to win some Chicago Chapter swag!

08/07/2026

Save the date for our 2026 Annual Holiday Party!

06/16/2026

"No matter your career stage, joining AILA means joining a community built on shared expertise, professional support, and a commitment to better outcomes for clients," write Lynn Calder, Carly Hetland, Karen Hill, and Kate Rodriguez

AILA members Lynn Calder, Carly Hetland, Karen Hill, and Kate Rodriguez highlight how AILA “helps students learn the field, helps new attorneys practice it with confidence, and helps experienced lawyers refine their craft while shaping the future of immigration law.”

06/05/2026

Join your fellow Chicago Chapter members for a happy hour at the AILA National Conference in San Diego next week! Link to register below, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

https://ailachievents.org/events/chicago-aila-chapter-happy-hour-2026/

06/04/2026

Chicago Public Media has partnered with local newsrooms to create one comprehensive "Chicago Immigration Hub."

The hub pulls together essential immigration coverage from 15 newsrooms, including WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and La Voz Chicago. The site offers "solutions-oriented news, guides and cultural coverage for local immigrants and all Chicagoans.” Its a collaborative space for journalists to fortify their immigration-related coverage and more efficiently get immigration resources and news to the community.

Participating newsrooms include: Block Club Chicago, Borderless Magazine, Chicago Reader, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (Chinatown Spotlight), Cicero Independiente, Injustice Watch, La Raza, ProPublica, Public Media Institute (Lumpen Radio), Reparations Media, South Side Weekly and The TRiiBE.

A link to the hub can be found below:

Your source for Chicago immigration news, guides and explainers.

05/12/2026

Yes they do.

05/12/2026

This past Monday our chapter celebrated award recipients for the Joseph Minsky Beacon of Light Award and for our recognized Pro Bono Champions. Many thanks and appreciation to Lauren McClure, Laura J. Smith of the Children’s Legal Center, and
the Midwest Immigration Bond Fund.