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. 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."Levin, Leslie (2010). "Specialty Bars as a Site of Professionalism: The Immigration Bar Example. University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Vol. 8(2), p. 201. 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.(2006) "About AILA: Sixty Years of Service, Sixty Years of Excellence". Immigration Law Today Vol. 25(5), p.8.
