Students, Adjunct Professor Create Innovative AILA Student Affiliate Beta Program at Minnesota Law

Did you know that Minnesota Law is the host site for the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) first and only student affiliate beta program?

In 2019, AILA adopted by-laws that permit law schools to join AILA as student members for free and to organize their own law student affiliates.

In January 2021, two Minnesota Law students—Marisa Tillman ‘21 and Mimi Alworth ’21—inquired how they could organize a law student affiliate Minnesota Law based on these new by-laws. Joining the organizational effort were current 3Ls Linnea VanPilsum-Bloom, Lauren O’Donnell, Yemaya Hanna, Alena Carl; and current 2L Akeem Anderson.

Working with adjunct faculty member Sarah Peterson '05, who is also an elected director on the AILA Board of Governors, the students applied for, and, in the summer of 2021, were granted approval to form a student affiliate beta program by AILA national and the Minnesota/ Dakotas AILA Chapter.

The student affiliate beta program endeavors to help students better understand the practice of immigration law through programs and activities. The program also seeks to connect students interested in practicing immigration law with practitioners in the local legal community and beyond.

Minnesota Law’s newly created program held a kickoff meeting in October 2021, elected officers, and has since grown to more than 50 student members. On March 17, the program hosted its first educational session, bringing together local immigration practitioners to discuss the different areas of immigration law. Through its successful implementation, Minnesota Law’s beta program has created a framework that AILA can use to expand its student affiliate program nationally.

“Minnesota Law’s Law Student beta Affiliate provides a unique forum for students to meet like-minded peers with whom they will practice during their careers, learn about the different areas of U.S. immigration law, and connect with seasoned practitioners in the field,” Peterson said. “I am heartened to watch the students take this idea from inception to reality and am excited to see this program roll-out nationally in the future based on the foundation built at Minnesota Law.”

Interested students can join AILA and the Law Student Affiliate Beta Program by emailing: ailaumn@umn.edu or attending any of the upcoming events on campus.