WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has strongly rejected a Trump Administration memo alleging “rampant fraud and meritless claims” by immigration attorneys, calling the directive an unjustified attack on legal professionals and due process.
The memo, issued late Wednesday, calls for sanctions, heightened reviews, and stricter oversight of lawyers handling asylum and immigration cases. AILA leaders denounced the move as a dangerous escalation in the administration’s broader efforts to undermine legal representation for immigrants.
AILA President Kelli Stump emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. “AILA members are sworn to uphold the Constitution and adhere to the highest ethical standards,” Stump said. “This administration’s rhetoric is misleading and threatens the integrity of our legal system. Immigrants—many fleeing persecution—deserve fair representation, and attorneys must be free to advocate for their clients without intimidation.”
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson accused the administration of attempting to vilify lawyers who defend vulnerable immigrants. “This is a direct assault on the legal profession,” Johnson said. “Lawyers have an ethical duty to advocate for their clients, and targeting them for doing so undermines justice itself. AILA will continue fighting for a fair immigration system and against policies that erode due process.”
The memo follows a pattern of the Trump administration criticizing judges and attorneys who challenge its immigration policies. Legal experts warn that increased scrutiny on lawyers could deter representation for asylum seekers and weaken protections for immigrants.
AILA, representing over 15,000 attorneys, vowed to resist the directive, framing it as an attack on fundamental legal principles.
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