Press Release on National Day of Action Legislative Visits #AILANDA18

On April 12, 2018, immigration attorneys Amir Rasoulpour and Angela Torregoza of the firm Rasoulpour Torregoza – operating as LegalEase.us – traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Day of Action. Alongside colleagues from the AILA New York Chapter and advocates from across the country, they met with Congressional offices to deliver a resounding message: the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies are devastating New York families and businesses, and Congress must act now to reform an outdated immigration system. Their visit, part of the #AILANDA18 campaign, brought the real-life stories of immigrants and employers directly to lawmakers, calling for practical solutions over punitive measures.

A Nationwide Push for Commonsense Reform

The AILA National Day of Action on April 12 mobilized hundreds of immigration attorneys, clients, and coalition partners for coordinated legislative visits across Capitol Hill. This annual event is a cornerstone of AILA’s advocacy, providing a direct channel for legal professionals who witness the complexities and contradictions of U.S. immigration law every day to educate elected officials. In dozens of meetings, attorneys emphasized that the nation’s immigration framework not only fails to meet economic needs but also inflicts unnecessary suffering on families and communities.

For Rasoulpour Torregoza, participating in this national effort was a natural extension of their firm’s commitment to business immigration and the rights of immigrants. By joining forces with other AILA members, they amplified the voices of New Yorkers who are directly harmed by abrupt policy shifts and enforcement overreach. The day reflected a broad consensus: the status quo is unsustainable, and legislative action is long overdue.

Direct Dialogue with New York’s Representatives

During the day, the New York contingent focused on meetings with two key members of Congress: Representative Gregory Meeks and Representative Adriano Espaillat. These legislators represent districts with vibrant immigrant populations, and their offices were receptive to hearing firsthand accounts. Angela Torregoza, a co-founder of the firm, led the presentations, sharing compelling narratives from clients whose lives and livelihoods have been upended by recent policy changes. She explained how the rescission of DACA has left young people who grew up in the United States in limbo, and how increased enforcement is tearing apart families with deep roots in New York.

Amir Rasoulpour, alongside other AILA NY chapter members, underscored the economic arguments. He provided concrete examples of immigrant entrepreneurs and skilled workers who fuel local economies, create jobs, and drive innovation. The meetings were not just about listing grievances; they were about proposing actionable reforms that align immigration law with America’s values and economic imperatives. “We told Congress that our state needs solutions, not more policies that cost taxpayers billions and don't improve our safety or security,” Rasoulpour noted. “Eight out of ten Americans support reform – that's an overwhelming majority calling for action.”

The Human Toll of Anti-Immigrant Policies

The Trump administration has implemented a series of policies that deliberately slow and restrict legal immigration while ramping up enforcement actions. These include ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants from deportation, and expanding expedited removal proceedings that bypass due process. For many New York families, these changes are not abstract; they translate into parents being separated from children, businesses losing essential employees, and communities fractured by fear.

“These new policies are doing serious harm to New York families and businesses. The administration has implemented numerous policies to restrict and slow the pace of legal immigration, rescinded DACA, and increased the use of harsh enforcement tactics, separating families with longstanding ties to the U.S.”

Angela Torregoza emphasized that the human cost extends far beyond the headlines. Family unity, a cornerstone of U.S. immigration law for decades, has been systematically undermined. Workers who have contributed to their communities for years now live in constant fear of detention and removal. In times of uncertainty, knowing one’s rights is critical. Our firm has compiled a Know Your Rights: A Quick Guide for Immigrants to help individuals navigate encounters with law enforcement and understand their legal options.

Immigration Fuels Economic Prosperity

In the Capitol Hill meetings, the attorneys highlighted how immigrants are integral to the U.S. economy. Especially in New York, from Main Street small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, immigrant talent and labor are essential. The current system's inefficiencies – such as backlogs in employment-based green cards and a restrictive H-1B visa cap – leave businesses unable to fill critical positions. This not only harms individual companies but also sends jobs and innovation overseas.

Rasoulpour stressed that the economic arguments for reform are overwhelming. Immigrants start businesses at higher rates than native-born Americans and are disproportionately represented in STEM fields, driving technological progress. Meanwhile, entire industries like agriculture and hospitality depend on immigrant workers. “When the best and the brightest from all over the world can come to America, bringing their creativity and innovative spirit and building new industries, that creates jobs and makes life better for all of us,” he said.

The Legislative Roadmap: Protecting Dreamers and Beyond

The National Day of Action was not just about highlighting problems but also about championing solutions. Top of the agenda was a permanent legislative fix for Dreamers, the young immigrants who arrived as children and know no other home. A clean Dream Act would offer them a path to citizenship, ending the anxiety caused by temporary programs. But the conversation extended to broader reforms: restructuring the visa system to meet labor market demands, reducing family reunification backlogs, and ensuring due process in removal proceedings.

The AILA delegation urged Congress to resist the administration’s push for a border-only security approach that ignores the complex reality of modern migration. Comprehensive reform must balance security with humanity, creating a system that works for businesses, families, and the nation’s values. As Angela Torregoza noted, “We were proud to stand united with colleagues, clients, and coalition partners to ask Congress to lead on immigration, to advance real solutions that will benefit all Americans.”

Rasoulpour Torregoza’s Ongoing Commitment

For Angela Torregoza and Amir Rasoulpour, this day on the Hill was a natural expression of their firm’s core belief: immigration makes America better. Their practice, Rasoulpour Torregoza, focuses on business immigration, helping companies and individuals navigate the legal pathways to work and thrive in the United States. They provide counsel on employment-based visas, family immigration, and deportation defense, always with an eye toward the human story behind every case.

The firm remains dedicated to advocating for sensible policies and providing robust legal support to immigrants and businesses. To stay updated on immigration news and the firm’s activities, readers can visit the Latest News section or reach out for a consultation. The fight for a fair, functional immigration system is far from over, and the attorneys of Rasoulpour Torregoza are committed to being at the forefront.