<P> The association (originally called the Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers or AINL) was founded on October 14, 1946 by a group of 19 immigration lawyers and professionals in Manhattan, New York . Twelve of the association founders had recently worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and saw an opportunity to utilize their professional standing "to elevate the standard and reputation of the practitioner appearing before the Immigration Service" Josh Koenigsberg served as the first president of the association with Gaspare Cusumano as vice president, Anita Streep as secretary, and Daniel Caputi as treasurer . </P> <P> In 1982, the association established a national headquarters in Washington, D.C. and was renamed the American Immigration Lawyers Association . </P> <P> By 1985, the association had 1,800 members; a three-fold increase from 1975 . As of 2017, there are over 15,000 AILA members spread over 39 chapters in the United States and across the world . </P> <P> AILA's mission, as stated on its website, is to: promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members . </P>

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