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; to promoting public service and excellence in the practice of immigration law; 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.
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
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.
Two principal areas of activity make up AILF's Public Education Program. The Curriculum Project 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.
The Foundation's trainee program for exchange visitors allows small to midsize businesses to understand and participate in the global economy. AILF practical training exchanges, designated by the U.S. State Department, will place college graduates, and non-college graduates with significant business experience, into U.S. corporate training programs which will allow them to acquire career-enhancing skills to bring back to their countries of origin. The participating businesses and institutions will, in turn, benefit from exposure to varying cultures in the countries into which they are operating or into which they are expanding.
In addition to these four core areas, the Foundation conducts many other activities. Among them are three regional Immigrant Achievement Awards in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. These have showcased contributions of outstanding newcomers from Placido Domingo to Arnold Schwarzenegger.