Derek Strain Elected to Chair Chicago Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Derek Strain, principal in the firm of Minsky, McCormick and Hallagan, P.C., was recently elected to serve as the Chair of the Chicago Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of over 11,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. The Chicago Chapter of AILA has over 500 members that represent U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace. AILA members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. Founded in 1946, 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.

Derek Strain has been an active member of AILA since 1997 and has served in a variety of roles within the organization including serving on the Executive Board, the EOIR Committee, the Illinois Department of Employment Security Liaison Committee, as co-Chair of the Chicago Asylum Liaison Committee, the New Americans Initiative, and as Chair of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services/AILA Immigration Clinic.

Derek Strain has practiced in the field of immigration law since 1997. His practice includes both employment and family-based immigration, as well as removal/deportation cases. Before joining the law firm of Minsky, McCormick and Hallagan, P.C. in 2000, he served as the Director of Legal Services of Centro Romero, and as staff attorney at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of the Organization of American States in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Strain is a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Guatemala) and is fluent in Spanish.