Immigration Awards - Build — The Build Fellowship

Nominate someone See all nominations

Jump to

The Awards

Submit a nomination for a deserving recipient

Nine award categories judged by a dedicated panel. Hover any card to read the full award description.

The Trailblazer Award

for a Legal Innovator

“Who in your network is reimagining what’s possible in immigration law?”

About this award

Presented to an immigration attorney who is reimagining what’s possible — whether through technology, novel legal strategy, or a bold new approach to serving clients. This award honors the innovators who aren’t just keeping up with change, they’re creating it.

The Resilience Award

for an Outstanding RFE Response

“What was the RFE that made you say “you have got to be kidding me” — and what did you do about it?”

About this award

Presented to an attorney who turned a Request for Evidence into a masterclass in advocacy. This award celebrates the skill, tenacity, and creative legal thinking it takes to fight back and win.

The Against All Odds Award

for Breaking through red tape in Immigration

“Who in your network refused to accept “no” as a final answer?”

About this award

Presented to an attorney who refused to accept “no” as a final answer. This award recognizes extraordinary persistence in navigating bureaucratic obstacles to deliver results for their client when the odds were stacked against them.

Thought Leader of the Year

for Shaping the Conversation in Immigration Law

“Who do you turn to when you need someone to make sense of something complicated?”

About this award

Presented to a voice in the immigration community who is influencing how the field thinks, debates, and evolves — through writing, speaking, advocacy, or public engagement. This award honors those who move the conversation forward.

The Community Impact Award

for Service to the Community

“Who in your network shows up for people, not just cases?”

About this award

Presented to an attorney or organization whose work extends beyond the office — serving underrepresented populations, supporting pro bono efforts, or strengthening the broader immigrant community. This award honors those who show up for people, not just cases.

The Breakthrough Award

for Advancing Immigration Law Through Advocacy and Action

“Who has moved the needle through advocacy, landmark cases, or courageous action?”

About this award

Presented to an attorney who has moved the needle — through policy advocacy, landmark cases, or courageous action that created real change in immigration law. This award recognizes those who don’t just practice the law, they push it forward.

The Paralegal of the Year Award

for an Outstanding Paralegal

“Who is the paralegal who is the backbone of their team?”

About this award

Presented to the paralegal who is the backbone of their team — bringing precision, dedication, and heart to every case. This award recognizes the indispensable professionals who keep immigration practices running and clients supported.

The Associate of the Year Award

for an Outstanding Associate

“Who is the associate attorney making their mark early in immigration law?”

About this award

Presented to an associate attorney who is making their mark early — demonstrating exceptional skill, commitment, and promise in the practice of immigration law. This award celebrates the next generation of leaders in the field.

The Power Partnership Award

for Exceptional Collaboration in Immigration Law

“Which two people in your network make an unbeatable pair — the duo whose collaboration elevates the work beyond what either could do alone?”

About this award

Presented to a duo of two individuals whose partnership in immigration law produced something greater together than either could alone.

How It Works

Help us celebrate the remarkable work happening across our community

At this moment in U.S. history, we believe it is essential to celebrate the people doing this work — to bring recognition, positive energy, and community to a field that has more than earned it. Nominations are open to the broader immigration community — firms, companies, service providers, and foreign nationals — across 10 award categories.

Nominate

Use the form below to nominate someone whose contributions reflect the spirit of one of our awards. A dedicated panel of judges will carefully review all nominations and select the winners across 9 award categories.

Jump to form

Community Vote

Every nominee automatically becomes eligible for the People’s Choice Award — the one award decided entirely by the community. Cast your vote and make your voice heard.

See all nominations

Celebrate

Join us in person at the AILA National Conference in San Diego on June 17th, where awards will be presented live. Can’t make it in person? No problem — your nomination and eligibility remain fully intact regardless of attendance.

See key dates

Nominations

Nominations open May 1

Our nomination form opens on May 1. Please check back then to submit your nomination.

Nominations open May 1

The nomination form is currently closed.

Community Vote

The People’s Choice Award

The only Immies honor decided by public vote — one standout immigration attorney, chosen by the community. Browse the list and vote on each nominee’s page (one vote per email per nominee). You don’t need to nominate anyone to vote; if someone isn’t listed yet, add them in any category, then cast your ballot. Judges decide the other nine awards.

See all nominations

How it works

01
Open the nominations, pick a nominee, and vote — one vote per email per nominee.
02
Can’t find someone? Nominate them in any category; they’ll show up in the nominations list with a ballot on their page.
03
Judges pick the nine category winners; People’s Choice is the only public vote.

Key dates

From nominations to the ceremony

May 1

Nominations open

The form goes live and the community is invited to submit.

Rolling: April 27–June 17

Community voting for the People’s Choice Award

Rolling voting from the nominations page or any nominee page — one vote per email per nominee.

May 30

Nominations close

Don’t miss your chance to recognize someone deserving.

June 1

Nominees announced

We’ll share the full list of nominees across all categories.

June 17

Award ceremony at the AILA National Conference in San Diego

Winners are revealed and celebrated live.

May 1

Nominations open

The form goes live and the community is invited to submit.

Rolling: April 27–June 17

Community voting for the People’s Choice Award

Rolling voting from the nominations page or any nominee page — one vote per email per nominee.

May 30

Nominations close

Don’t miss your chance to recognize someone deserving.

June 1

Nominees announced

We’ll share the full list of nominees across all categories.

June 17

Award ceremony at the AILA National Conference in San Diego

Winners are revealed and celebrated live.

Why we are doing this

Let’s celebrate the people who have more than earned it.

Immigration attorneys, paralegals, and advocates navigate complexity, fight for real people, and push the law forward — often under pressure and with little recognition.

The Immies exist to change that.

This inaugural national awards program honors innovation, resilience, advocacy, and leadership across the immigration law community.

Whether you’re nominating a colleague who never stops fighting for their clients, a paralegal holding everything together, or a thought leader shaping the national conversation — this is your chance to make sure their work doesn’t go unnoticed.