[citation needed] AILA members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, sometimes on a pro bono basis.

[citation needed] AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 38 chapters and over 50 national committees.

Its national headquarters are in Washington, D.C.[citation needed] Originally called the Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers, the association was founded on October 14, 1946 by a group of 19 immigration lawyers and professionals in Manhattan, New York.

[4] Twelve of the association founders had recently worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and saw an opportunity to utilize their professional standing "to elevate the standard and reputation of the practitioner appearing before the Immigration Service.

[7] As of 2017[update], there are over 15,000 AILA members spread over 39 chapters in the United States and across the world.