Dear Readers:

I’m off to the annual meeting of the American Immigration Lawyers Association in Washington, DC. This is my 20^th AILA annual meeting – I’ve gone every year since I was a 22 year old very wet behind the ears junior lawyer at a big law firm. When I first attended, I was very intimidated by all of the incredibly talented and experienced lawyers who attended the huge meeting. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many of these practitioners and count many as close friends. The AILA meeting is a great way to re-connect and it is also THE place to go to meet government agency officials face to face, learn what is happening in the field, see all of the vendors supplying products necessary to practice immigration law, and get further involved with the organizations.

I’m also speaking on a panel on Internet marketing for immigration lawyers with my friends Sheela Murthy and Nikki Jacobson on Thursday at 1:40. Hope to see some of you there.

I’m also planning on attending a session with USCIS Director Mayorkas and hope to hear some news on fixing the broken agency he heads.

I’m also a candidate for the AILA Board of Governors this year, the first time I’ve ever run. A lot of people were surprised, but I’ve been involved with AILA for years and thought I have enough experience to be able to make a meaningful contribution. I’ll learn whether enough people agree when the election results are announced this week.

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This is also an important week when it comes to immigration policy. President Obama met with immigration advocacy groups Monday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus yesterday and tomorrow he’ll give a major address on immigration reform. He’s promising something new and we’ll have to see whether he’s really serious or, as some of his critics claim, he’s just trying to placate increasingly angry Hispanic voters who could seriously hurt Democrats if they fail to turn out in November.

There was also a major development on the judicial front. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging Arizona’s 2007 law that allows the state to revoke business licenses from employers found to have hired illegally present immigrants. That could have a major impact on state laws across the country.

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Readers are reminded that they are welcome to contact my law office if they would like to schedule a telephone or in person consultation with me or one of my colleagues. If you are interested, please call my office at 901-682-6455.

Regards,

Greg Siskind