Open Chats with the Chair
2025-04-18 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Come chat with the Chair using this Zoom link if you would like to:

Learn about getting more involved at AILA, what resources AILA has to offer, or who in the chapter you might seek advice from on a particular topic;
Get oriented as a new member to AILA or to our chapter;
Provide feedback on the chapter’s activities; or
Just to say hi!

AILA NE Roundtable: AILA NE & Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) Roundtable Discussion
2025-04-24 12:00 - 13:00
Register here: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/PNi19srsScSTrgZA9JMLqw

This roundtable is meant to foster collaboration between AILA NE and LCR. Join us to learn more about LCR’s incredible advocacy and litigation work on behalf of immigrant communities, explore opportunities to support and engage with LCR’s efforts, and strategize ways we can work together to protect immigrant rights—especially in the face of growing challenges under the current administration.

This is a great opportunity to build community and strengthen our collective impact. We hope to see you there!

AILA NE Webinar: I-9 Compliance (CLE Committee)
2025-04-29 12:00 - 13:00
Join the AILA NE CLE Committee for a webinar focused on I-9 compliance for employers.
Speakers: Katie Minervino (Pierce Atwood LLP) and Nici Kersey (Kersey Immigration Compliance LLC)
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uo4eKUZgTJOBm-LL55hgVg

AILA NE Documentary & Fundraiser Event: Las Abogadas and Fundraiser for Latin American Relief Fund
2025-05-01 17:30 - 20:00
In this difficult immigration climate, let’s get together, stand in solidarity, and celebrate the hard work of all of our attorneys!
Please join us for a screening of the documentary film Las Abogadas at the MCLE auditorium on May 1st at 5:30 pm. Las Abogadas is an award-winning documentary film about female attorneys at the southern border fighting back against anti-immigrant policy changes. During this chaotic time, we hope this movie can be a symbol of hope and inspiration as well as an opportunity to connect as a community. See here for more about Las Abogadas, the team that created this documentary, and the featured asylum seekers.
Where: MCLE, 10 Winter Place, Boston, MA (near Park Street on Red/Green Lines)
When: Thursday 5/1

5:30 – 7:00 pm: Documentary Screening on female attorneys on the front lines
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Reception and fundraiser for Latin American Relief Fund

Register here so we can order the right amount of appetizers and beverages!

PAIR Project Asylum Office Hours (New Members Division)
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:00
The PAIR Project is delighted to offer New Members Division members monthly open asylum “office hours” hosted by PAIR’s Asylum Program staff – an open Zoom line that members can drop in on to ask questions, discuss their cases, and hear from others.

You can drop in any time during the hour – no need to sign up or pre-schedule
Office hours will be 12:00-1:00pm on the second Wednesday of each month
Join at https://zoom.us/j/95442321927, Meeting ID: 954 4232 1927

Retirement Celebration for IJ O'Sullivan
2025-05-14 17:00 - 20:00
When: Wednesday May 14 from 5 to 8 pm
Tickets: $30 per person for light food and drinks. Purchase your ticket here.
Who can attend: Each person can purchase 1 ticket per AILA member or former immigration practitioner.
Unfortunately, we cannot open the event to non-AILA guests (significant others, spouses, and friends who are not immigration practitioners or former practitioners). If slots are still available the day before the event, we may be able to open them up for significant others and friends. In that case, we will make an announcement. Thanks for your understanding.
Please note the venue change below.
The celebration will be at
The University of Massachusetts Club
One Beacon Street, 32nd Fl, Boston, MA 02108
Note: This is not the same location as previously posted.
For those who have already registered, we will also send an additional email informing them of the venue change.

May Chapter Meeting
2025-05-15 16:00 - 18:30

KIND Office Hour (Virtual)
2025-05-21 12:00 - 13:00
KIND Office Hours
Please join KIND Boston for a virtual hour at 12 pm EST to discuss issues on your cases surrounding representation of unaccompanied children, potential community referrals, and volunteer opportunities for those interested.

This is a recurring event on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12 pm.
A member of KIND Boston’s Staff will be available for this hour each month for brainstorming and discussion.
Join at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89432923086, Meeting ID: 894 3292 3086

Where do we go from here? A Roundtable Discussion with AILA New England’s DEI committee
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00
Where do we go from here? A Roundtable Discussion with AILA New England’s DEI committee
May 28, 2025 at 12pm!

In light of shifting national conversations, we’ll examine how DEI continues to shape the practice of immigration law, the importance of inclusive legal spaces, and the ongoing work of this DEI committee within AILA-NE and beyond. Questions & issues to be addressed:

· What would members like to see the DEI committee doing?
· What is the ongoing benefit of the committee?
· Why DEI still matters for our chapter
· The role of immigration attorneys as DEI advocates
· Sustaining our DEI committee
· Strategies for meaningful engagement & change

For any questions or suggestions contact the chair at samia@samialaw.com We look forward to your voice at the table.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86472882783?pwd=[REDACTED]

TRAINING: Court Watch at the Chelmsford and Boston Immigration Courts
2025-06-04 16:00 - 17:30
TRAINING: Court Watch at the Chelmsford and Boston Immigration Courts

MLRI and MIRA are coordinating a court watch training this coming Wednesday at 4 to 5:30 PM.
Court watch training
Wednesday, June 4 at 4:00 to 5:30 PM
Register Here: Meeting Registration – Zoom

AILA-NE DEI Committee invites you to an End-of-Year brunch:
2025-06-08 11:30 - 13:30
AILA-NE DEI Committee invites you to an End-of-Year brunch:
This event is an opportunity to stay connected, try delicious food, and recognize the cultures that enrich our work & lives.
We will especially honor the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, this occasion commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his unwavering faith & willingness to make personal sacrifice for a greater cause. It is a time of reflection, gratitude & community – values that resonate with the work we do as advocates for justice for immigrants.
Date: Sunday, June 8
Time: 11.30am
Place: Masala Art Restaurant, 990 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
Menu: lavish brunch buffet of samosas, pakoras, chaat, chicken tikka masala, dosas, biryani, naan bread, and more.
Cost: $35
RSVP: Sign up by June 6, 2025 here
Join us as we celebrate unity, resilience, and our shared commitment to supporting our immigrant clients.
Christina, Claudia, Mahsa, Ogor & Samia – AILA-NE DEI Committee

Hot Topic Roundtable: Matter of Q. Li
2025-06-09 12:00
Hot Topic Roundtable: Matter of Q. Li
Join us for a timely roundtable discussion on Matter of Q. Liand its sweeping implications for bond eligibility. Featuring Adriana Lafaille (ACLU of MA), the PAIR Project, and Kim Williams (Gomez & Martinez LLC), this conversation will explore legal strategies, advocacy approaches, and how to best protect our clients in the wake of this precedent.Don’t miss this crucial discussion!
When:Monday, June 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Register here: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/OoSjGlLdS1KaiqOc3lcVTg

AILA NE Webinar: Cross-Cultural Client Representation
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:00
At this time of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies, ICE enforcement actions, and heightened stress and anxiety for our clients, it is all the more critical for us immigration attorneys to provide effective advocacy that embraces our clients’ cultures and bridges any gaps.
Please join a virtual session on Cross-Cultural Representation on Wednesday, June 11 at 12-1 pm EDT. This session is hosted and sponsored by several chapters including AILA New England and Connecticut, among others!
You can register for this CLE at this link.
Speakers:
Speakers:
YASMIN BLACKBURN
MIKI MATRICIAN
PETULA MCSHIRAS
BRITTANY FAITH
DAVID WILKS

AILA NE: Information Session for Legal Representation Fund (BIJAN/Beyond Bond,Supported by the MA Attorney General's Office)
2025-06-18 16:30 - 17:30
AILA NE: Information Session for Legal Representation Fund (BIJAN/Beyond Bond,Supported by the MA Attorney General’s Office)
BIJAN/Beyond Bond Legal Defense Fund has created a Legal Representation Fund to help fund free legal representation to detained immigrants who are eligible to request an immigration bond. This program is open to non-profit or private attorneys. Successful applicants should be members of AILA and have significant immigration law experience, including proficiency in bond representation and filing. Suggested skills also include an understanding of the special needs of immigrant populations.
Fill out the Immigration Attorney Interest Form – https://forms.office.com/g/ZnJvSXjRMi if you or your staff are interested in participating in this program. Successful applicants will be eligible to receive reimbursement at a rate of $3,500 per bond motion and hearing held. You must fill out this brief form by June 20, 2025 to be deemed eligible. Please only fill out 1 form PER FIRM/ORGANIZATION, not per person in your firm/organization.
For more information, you can sign up for the Legal Representation Fund information session on Wednesday, June 18 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm here – https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z0GKtEcpSau4CbY1LeopWg

June Chapter Meeting
2025-06-26 16:00 - 18:30
Please join us this Thursday, June 26, 2025, for our final AILA NE Monthly Meeting before the summer break – and we’re closing the season with connection, celebration, and community!Location: MCLE, 10 Winter Pl, Boston, MA
Come in person – come to mingle!
Zoom option available here: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/uwIuwY16QvOgNBa42i-boQ
What to Expect?
4:00 PM – New Members Division Mixer
Kick off the evening with a casual mixer hosted by our New Members Division! This is a fantastic opportunity for both new and experienced attorneys to connect. Conversations are encouraged — and not just about immigration law! Light refreshments will be served.
5:00 PM – Business Meeting
Hear important updates from AILA National, local chapter news, and join us as we celebrate our local Pro Bono Champions who go above and beyond for our communities.
5:30 PM – Main Meeting
Members Stefanie Fisher-Pinkert and Branden Ladebush will share highlights, practical tips, and well-being insights they brought back from last week’s AILA National Conference in Denver, CO.
Come learn, reflect, and recharge with us!
Snacks and refreshments will follow.
Let’s gather, connect, and celebrate before the summer break!

When

Thursday Jun 26, 2025 ⋅ 4pm – 6:30pm (Eastern Time – New York)

Location

In-person (MCLE, 10 Winter Pl., Boston, MA 02108) and remote (Zoom)
View map

Civil Rights & Rule of Law: What’s Happening Now, What’s Next, and How You Can Help
2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:30
AILA NE is co-sponsoring a streaming event designed to update the legal community on the state of civil rights and rule of law. Lawyers for Civil Rights has teamed up with the MBA and BBA to organize this event, which we’re making available for free to all bar associations and other groups across the Massachusetts legal community. I’m attaching a memo with more details, but here are the basics:
Program Title: Civil Rights & Rule of Law: What’s Happening Now, What’s Next, and How You Can Help
Description: Join us for a one-hour panel discussion on the current state of civil rights and the rule of law—locally and nationally. Our expert panel will unpack where and how key issues are being litigated while sharing forward-looking insights on what to expect in the months ahead. Immediately following the panel discussion, a 30-minute session will spotlight ways attorneys can take action—featuring opportunities for pro bono service and community engagement through Lawyers for Civil Rights and other initiatives.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 15 from 12 to 1 PM (Panel); 1 – 1:30 PM (Get Involved)
Duration: 60 Minutes (Panel Discussion); 30 Minutes (How to Get Involved)
Moderator: Damian Turco, Turco Legal, MBA Immediate Past President
Panelists: Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director, Lawyers for Civil Rights Hon. Nancy Gertner, U.S. District Court (Ret.), Harvard Law School Richard Cole, Cole Civil Rights and Safe Schools Consulting Sponsorship: LCR, BBA, MBA (Seeking co-sponsorship from local associations & schools) Cost: None
Registration: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Roundtable: What to do about affirmative asylum terminations
2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00
Roundtable: What to do about affirmative asylum terminations (Wed. July 16 1pm)

Join your colleagues to brainstorm what to do about terminations of affirmative asylum applications. How, when, and whether should we request a Credible Fear Interview? How do we manage client expectations? How do we help clients try to avoid detention? Join here, and if you have a client with a terminated application, please fill out AILA National’s call for examples.

AILA NE Media Training: Using Media and Social Media to Engage, Educate, and Advocate on Immigration
2025-07-21 13:00 - 14:00
AILA NE Media Training: Using Media and Social Media to Engage, Educate, and Advocate on Immigration
Immigration law and policy are front and center in the news and the Trump Administration has filled their first six months with a host of executive actions on immigration. Most of the American public doesn’t understand what the current immigration law and policies truly are and that means that when changes are implemented (or attempted), the misinformation and disinformation only get louder and more confusing. Immigration practitioners must always search for new and different ways to best represent their clients AND educate the public.
This presentation will focus on ways to prepare so that when reporters call, you know what to do. We will cover how to work with the media both reactively and proactively and how to use media and social media to advocate for your clients and fair immigration law and policy. All along the way we’ll be showing you how you can use existing AILA resources and plug in to ongoing efforts in order to make this outreach as simple as possible!
What We’ll Cover in About 60 Minutes:

Why AILA Members Can and Should Engage with Media and Social Media
How To Engage, Educate and Advocate (and How to Use AILA Resources)
Protecting Vulnerable Clients
Key Messaging Guidance
Using Social Media to Get the Message Out

Presenters from the AILA Communications Team will share their insights in this interactive session. Slide deck and links will be shared after the fact; a recording will be made available for up to 60 days post-training.
Date: July 21, 2025 at 1:00pm
Registration link: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/t6tfHbQPQG-hlC4kWorZOw

AILA Seminar: Credible and Reasonable Fear Interviews in Detention
2025-08-05 14:00 - 15:30
AILA Seminar: Credible and Reasonable Fear Interviews in Detention- August 5, 2025!

Expert speakers will provide a focused analysis of the legal framework and practical strategies involved in credible (CFIs) and reasonable fear interviews (RFIs) for asylum seekers in detention. They will explore the distinctions between credible and reasonable fear standards, the evidentiary thresholds for each, and the procedural role these interviews play in the expedited removal process.

Date: August 5, 2025

Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Register here: Credible and Reasonable Fear Interviews in Detention

AILA NE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: ﻿ K-E-Y-G- and the Future of Gender-Based Asylum Claims
2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:00
AILA NE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: K-E-Y-G- and the Future of Gender-Based Asylum Claims
Join us for a roundtable exploring the implications of the recent K-E-Y-G- decision and its potential to reshape the asylum landscape for domestic and gender-based violence claims. We’ll discuss how K-E-Y-G- affects the framing of particular social groups (PSGs), what advocates need to know when representing survivors, and how this decision could impact future claims and legal strategies. This will be a practical, strategy-oriented session for our memberships engaged in asylum and gender justice work.

Date: August 7, 2025

Time: 12pm

Register here: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/wGSgQ3veRyqCECGXk_RB5w

AILA-NE DEI committee - Potluck Celebration of Independence & Freedom
2025-08-10 16:00 - 20:00
You’re Invited!

Potluck Celebration of Independence & Freedom

Join AILA-NE DEI committee this August for a joyful & meaningful potluck gathering! Connect with fellow AILA-NE members and commemorate South Asia’s independence from colonization (Pakistan Day is August 14, and India Day is August 15). We will celebrate the enduring values of self-determination, decolonization, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom & justice across borders.

Working with clients from across the globe, we know the deep ties between past struggles for independence and today’s movements for dignity & rights. Let’s gather to honor these shared legacies—with food, conversation, and community.

We encourage everyone to bring a dish that represents cultural heritage, family tradition or just a favorite. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions.

Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025

Time: 4pm to 8pm

Place: Mahsa Khanbabai’s home, Falmouth, Cape Cod, MA

RSVP: Sign up here by August 5, 2025

Questions: ailanedeicommittee@gmail.com

Join us as we celebrate unity, resilience, and our shared commitment to supporting immigrants and their dreams.

Christina, Claudia, Mahsa, Ogor & Samia

AILA-NE DEI Committee

AILA Roundtable: Explore How DEI Drives Well-Being
2025-08-13 13:00 - 14:00
AILA Roundtable: Explore How DEI Drives Well-Being
August 13, 2025 at 1pm – 2pm

Discover how fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can enhance workplace well-being and team resilience. Join AILA’s Well-Being Committee for a roundtable on August 13 to gain insights and discuss strategies for creating a more supportive, balanced environment for you and your colleagues. Don’t miss this important discussion—register today!

AILA NE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: with Former Immigration Judge George Pappas.
2025-08-15 12:00 - 13:00
AILA NE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: with Former Immigration Judge George Pappas – August 15, 2025, at 12pm.
You’re invited to join us for a compelling roundtable discussion with former Chelmsford Immigration Judge George Pappas, who has graciously accepted our invitation to share insights from his time on the bench. Judge Pappas will reflect on the state of the Immigration Courts, voice his concerns about their direction under the Trump administration, and speak more broadly about what he sees as an erosion of American institutions. Since his departure from the bench, Judge Pappas has been an outspoken and thoughtful critic—this promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.
Have questions for Judge Pappas? Please submit them no later than August 13, 2025, to EOIRproblemcases@gmail.com
Register Here

AILA NE 2025 Summer Social
2025-08-20 17:30 - 21:00
AILA NE Summer Social – August 20 | Salem, MA

After a year filled with professional and personal challenges—especially as we navigate the impacts of a new administration—now is the time to come together as a community and rally in fellowship.

Join us for the AILA NE Summer Social on Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30–9:00 PM at The Roof, a scenic rooftop bar and restaurant offering stunning views of historic Salem, MA.
This member-only gathering is a chance to unwind, enjoy great company, and celebrate the strength and resilience of our immigration law community.

Location: The Roof, 209 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970
Time: 5:30–9:00 PM
Cost: $25 /Register HERE
Includes: Flatbread station, salads, dessert, and 2 drink tickets (beer or wine).
Cash bar available | Members Only

Spots are limited—RSVP by August 4 and join us for an unforgettable evening!

AILA NE Roundtable: After the Affirmative Asylum Application Dismissal: Ethics, Strategy & CFI Survival
2025-08-28 12:00 - 13:00
AILA NE Roundtable: After the Affirmative Asylum Application Dismissal: Ethics, Strategy & CFI Survival
Join us for a follow-up roundtable delving into the evolving challenges and best practices surrounding asylum dismissals and credible fear interviews (CFIs). Whether you joined our previous session or are jumping in now, this is an essential discussion for practitioners navigating the complexities of the post-dismissal asylum process. We’ll explore:
– The timeline from dismissal to CFI scheduling
– Ethical dilemmas when clients recant fear or admit to misstatements on their I-589
– How to advise clients who are reluctant to attend or are detained
– Strategies to prepare clients for CFIs and manage anxieties about detention
When: August 28, 2025 at 12:00pm
Register Here

AILA NE Roundtable: Understanding the Current State of ERO
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00
AILA NE Roundtable: Understanding the Current State of ERO

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Time: 12:00PM
Register HERE

Join the AILA NE ICE/ERO Liaison Committee for a candid and informative roundtable discussion on what’s really happening at ERO today. This session will aim to dispel myths, reduce unnecessary panic, and provide clarity and practical guidance on working with ERO, especially in light of recent uncertainty and anecdotal reports.
We’ll cover best practices related to:

Detentions and releases
Stays of removal
Supervision check-ins and ISAP
What we know, what remains unclear, and how to navigate it professionally

This will be a space for shared strategy. Our goal is to help AILA NE members separate fact from fiction and approach ERO practice with informed confidence.

AILA NE - Annual Superheroes 5K Run/Walk for Justice at the AILA Fall Conference – Boston, MA
2025-09-12 08:00 - 10:00
Join Us for the Annual Superheroes 5K Run/Walk for Justice at the AILA Fall Conference – Boston, MA. Get ready to lace up your running shoes and don your capes—it’s time to run (or walk!) for justice!

📅 Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM
📍 Location: Along the scenic Charles River, Boston, MA

Whether you’re a speedy sprinter or a power-walker, all are welcome to join this fun and meaningful event in support of justice and community spirit. Come as your favorite superhero or just bring your inner hero—either way, don’t miss this great event during the AILA Fall Conference!

👕 All registrants will receive a commemorative Superheroes 5K T-shirt! Please stay tuned for registration details!

Interested in Volunteering?

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our upcoming event! Whether you’re interested in helping secure pledges and donations in advance or lending a hand on the day of the event, we’d love to have you involved. Please take a moment to fill out the volunteer form found here: https://forms.gle/aeS2wQB6GoJ5pg6H9

AILA NE Event - Habeas Project of MA Training and Recruitment Event
2025-09-15 14:00 - 15:30
Habeas Project of MA Training and Recruitment Event
Date: September 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Location: Virtual Training via Zoom
Registration: https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/BVV7BOKSQG6Fv4SzYRLlxg
The Habeas Project of Massachusetts is a nationally recognized initiative supporting immigrants facing unlawful detention. A partnership of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL), AILA New England, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), and Pathway for Immigrant Workers, the Project pairs immigration attorneys with federally barred criminal defense attorneys to pursue habeas relief in federal court.
This training is designed for immigration attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, and other federally barred practitioners interested in learning how to utilize habeas petitions to advance immigrant rights. Presenters will include Habeas mentors from the private bar and the ACLU of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Attendees will gain practical guidance on immigration habeas law and litigation strategy within the current landscape, learn how to represent detained immigrants in federal court, and receive information on how to get involved in this high-impact advocacy effort.
We are actively recruiting federally barred attorneys in MA, NH, VT, RI, CT, and ME ahead of an anticipated increase in ICE activity beginning October 1.
Register here. https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/BVV7BOKSQG6Fv4SzYRLlxg

AILA NE - New Members Division Virtual Networking Hour
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:00
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, at 12:00- 1:00 PM via Zoom
Please join AILA New England for a virtual networking hour on September 17th, 2025, at 12:00pm via Zoom. We warmly welcome attorneys of every background and experience level to join us for this special gathering. Our goal is to nurture a vibrant, inclusive community where meaningful connections can blossom. Whether your passion lies in immigration law or you simply wish to engage in lively conversation, you’ll find a welcoming space and gentle prompts to spark engaging dialogue. Come share your stories, insights, and laughter with fellow members as we build lasting bonds together. It’s also a great way to meet people who will be an addition to your referral network!
We will be hosting these as a series, with the next two on October 15, 2025, at 12:00pm and November 19, 2025, at 12:00pm.
Please RSVP here and register for Zoom link here.

AILA NE Monthly Chapter Meeting (virtual) - September 25, 2025
2025-09-25 16:00 - 18:30
AILA NE Monthly Chapter Meeting (virtual) – September 25, 2025, at 4pm – 6:30pm.
Details to follow.
Join here
