CLINIC held its 10th Annual Convening in Tucson, AZ.May 9-11, 2007 at the Hotel Arizona.
BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT WALLS
CLINIC's Annual Convening offers workshops and plenary sessions on selected topics of interest and import to immigration practitioners. Workshops are designed to offer practical information and valuable practice pointers.
** TENTATIVE SCHEDULE **
DAY 1: Wednesday, May 9, 2007
2:00 – 5:00 Convening Registration
3:30 - 5:00 Opening Plenary
Moderator: Don Kerwin
5:30- 6:30 Welcome Reception
DAY 2: Thursday, May 10, 2007
7:30 - 8:00 Mass
7:00 – 5:00 Convening Registration
7:30 - 8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00 WORKSHOPS
Advanced Family-Based Immigration: The Latest Developments (Repeated on
5/11 at 1:45)
This panel will present recent developments in family-based immigration issues,
including grounds of inadmissibility, Child Status Protection Act, jurisdictional issues,
motions to reopen, federal litigation, arriving aliens and adjustment of status,
overcoming in absentia orders and voluntary departure overstays, and appeals
to the BIA.
Moderator: Charles Wheeler, Director, Training and Technical Support, CLINIC
Developments in VAWA
This workshop will review changes in eligibility for self-petitioning under VAWA
enacted in January and August of 2006. Topics to be covered include expanded
categories of eligibility for self-petitioning; CSPA coverage for self-petitioners; new
EAD eligibility category and procedures; expanded confidentiality protections;
employment authorization for abused spouses of certain nonimmigrants; and other
issues.
Moderator: Susan Schreiber, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Religious Workers: Part I- Nonimmigrants
This workshop is the first part of a two-part presentation. Part I on religious
worker nonimmigrants will explore basic concepts in U.S. immigration law; the
R-1 law and regulations; how to apply for the R-1, to change status, or extend
stay; travel issues; and maintaining status. It will be practical, highlight issues
and problems encountered by R-1's, and use case studies to ensure mastery
of the material presented.
Moderator: Sr. Margaret Perron, RJM, Director, Religious Immigration Services,
CLINIC
Border Issues
This workshop will discuss proposed guidelines for alternative border enforcement
and practices.
Moderator: Mirna Torres, Director, Legalization & Advocacy, CLINIC
10:00 -10:30 Break
10:30 -12:00 WORKSHOPS
Consular Processing (Repeated on 5/11 at 10:30)
This panel will cover selected topics on processing of immigrant visas abroad. Topics will include review of
authorities governing consular processing, discussion of problem areas, communication with consulates,
how to challenge consular decisions, mechanics of filing waivers, examples of country-specific practices,
waiver appeals, and processing for derivative family members.
Moderator: Peggy Gleason, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Overview of Removal Proceedings and Relief from Removal
Panelists will discuss who is placed in removal proceedings and how; the contents of the Notice to Appear;
rights in removal proceedings and changing venue. Panelists will present an overview of the stages of a
removal proceeding under INA § 240, including bond, master calendar, and individual calendar (merits)
hearings. Panelists will also give an introduction to the major forms of relief from removal.
Moderator: Sarah Bronstein, Field Office Attorney, CLINIC
Acquisition and Derivation of U.S. Citizenship
This panel will discuss the requirements for acquiring U.S. citizenship at birth abroad and deriving U.S.
citizenship from a U.S. citizen parent after birth. Issues covered will include the requirements for children
born in and out of wedlock, residence requirements for U.S. citizen parents and establishing legal and
physical custody for derivation.
Moderator: Kristina Karpinski, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Unlawful Presence, Permanent Bar and Reinstatement of Removal
Panelists will discuss the three and ten-year unlawful presence bars, waivers of inadmissibility for unlawful
presence and prior removal orders, factors that trigger the permanent bar for unlawful entry after removal or
accrued unlawful presence, and reinstatement of removal. Presenters will review practice tips for
determining inadmissibility under these grounds, as well as exposure to reinstatement of removal, and also
discuss recent federal court and BIA decisions.
Moderator: Susan Schreiber, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
12:00 - 1:30 AWARDS LUNCHEON
Moderators: Jack Holmgren, Field Office Attorney, CLINIC
William Youmans, Public Affairs Officer, CLINIC
1:45 - 3:15 WORKSHOPS
Religious Workers: Part 2 – Special Immigrants
This workshop is the second part of a two-part presentation. Part II on special immigrant religious workers
will focus on the law and regulations for special immigrants; how to apply for classification as a special
immigrant and permanent resident status; employment and travel issues; and loss of permanent resident
status. It will use case studies to highlight issues and problems encountered by special immigrant religious
workers, to identify possible solutions, and to enhance participants’ skill in handling such cases.
Moderator: Sr. Margaret Perron, RJM, Director, Religious Immigration Services,
CLINIC
Immigration Research Skills (Part I)
This is an interactive workshop where training participants will learn about legal authority concepts; the
relationship between statutes, regulations, and policy guidance; how statutes, regulations and cases are
cited and how to find them; and other sources of legal authority. Training participants should bring a current
(or recent) copy of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Training
participants will consult their statute and regulations books during the workshop.
Moderator: Susan Schreiber, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
New Developments in the Law of Asylum, Withholding of Removal and the Convention Against Torture
Panelists will discuss the fundamentals of asylum law and updates in asylum law. Panelists will also discuss
how to effectively represent an asylum-seeker before the immigration courts, and will focus on how to
represent asylum-seekers who are fleeing gang violence.
Moderator: Mary Holper, Detention Attorney, CLINIC
Strategies in Filing Waivers
Moderator: Peggy Gleason
3:15 - 3:45 Break
3:45 - 5:15 WORKSHOPS
Issues in Adjustment of Status
This panel will review the requirements for adjustment of status under section 245(a) and ineligibility to adjust
under section 245(c). Panelists will discuss the distinction between adjustment ineligibility, inadmissibility and
bars to adjustment. The workshop will also cover section 245(i) grandfathering including requirements for
the derivative spouse and child of a grandfathered applicant and the current interpretation of the permanent
bar and adjustment under 245(i).
Moderator: Kristina Karpinski
Immigration Law and the Impact of Crimes (Repeated on 5/11 at 3:45)
This panel will review the basics of immigration law and crimes, including how to analyze whether your client’
s offense is a conviction and whether that offense will make the client inadmissible or deportable or subject
them to good moral character bars. The panel will also discuss practical strategies for approaching any case
with a criminal issue before DHS and the immigration courts.
Moderator: Mary Holper, Detention Attorney, CLINIC
Immigrants in the Workplace
Panelists will discuss pressing issues that effect immigrants at work such as employer sanction
prosecutions, new SSA no-match regulations, ICE’s enforcement actions, and ICE’s new program to help
employers build a legal workforce. Panelists will also share updates on driver’s licenses and the REAL ID Act
as well as recent initiatives by state and local governments to legislate on immigration.
Moderator: Karen Herrling, Staff Attorney, CLINIC
Immigration Research Skills (Part II)
In Part II of this research skills workshop, training participants will use their statute and regulations texts to
research legal issues and gain practice finding and understanding the law. Training participants will also
discuss strategies for researching a case problem and review the various research alternatives available.
Moderator: Susan Schreiber, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
5:30 – 6:30 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
These roundtables discussions are intended to be meetings during which attendees can network and
strategize on various immigration issues. The meetings are not intended to be panel presentations. There will
be no set agenda for the meetings, no materials provided, nor any designated speakers.
Topics: Religious Immigration
Management Issues
Detention
Litigating Naturalization Cases
8:00 -10:00 SPECIAL EVENT
DAY 3: Friday, May 11
7:30- 8:00 Mass
7:00 – 3:00 Convening Registration
7:30 - 8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 10:00 WORKSHOPS
Legalization Preparedness
A workshop on the current state of immigration legislation, and what organizations and individuals should be
doing to prepare for a legalization program.
Moderator: Mirna Torres, Director, Legalization & Advocacy, CLINIC
Advanced Issues in Petitions for Children:
Out-of-Wedlock, Adoption, Step-Children and Orphan Petitions
This panel will review the legal requirements for these three groups of children. The panelists will give
practice pointers on establishing the two years of legal custody and residence for adopted children. The law
on bona-fide parent/child relationship for out of wedlock children will be reviewed, with examples given of
evidence that will meet the requirements. The panelists will detail the multi-step orphan process for petitions
by US citizens adopting abroad. They will review the requirements of U.S. immigration law, foreign laws, and
family law which must be met. Changes in the orphan process this year will be discussed.
Moderator: Peggy Gleason, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Selected Issues Facing Refugees and Asylees
Panelists will give an introduction to the common grounds of inadmissibility (health, crimes and
fraud/misrepresentation) and discuss the “refugee waiver” under INA § 209(c). Panelists will also discuss in
greater detail the material support ground of inadmissibility, including the impact of this law on applicants for
asylum and refugee status, asylees and refugees who seek adjustment of status and Refugee/Asylee
Relative Petitions.
Moderator: Sarah Bronstein, Field Office Attorney, CLINIC
T and U Visas
This panel will cover the identification of victims of human trafficking, applications for T nonimmigrant status,
and continued presence for those victims. It will also discuss applications for interim relief for victims of crime
who are potential U nonimmigrants. It will cover the new provisions of VAWA 2005 pertaining to T and U
visas.
Moderator: TBA
10:00 - 10:30 Break
10:30 - 12:00 WORKSHOPS
Naturalization: Key Challenges in the Application Process
This workshop will cover key challenges in the naturalization application process, focusing on three areas:
the citizenship test, security check delays, and appealing denials. The presentation will include the changes
to the citizenship test, disability waivers, reasonable accommodations, and due consideration. There will be
an opportunity for questions and discussion of other challenges as well. (Note: This workshop will not cover
good moral character and criminal convictions due to time constraints. Please refer to other workshop,
“Immigration Law and the Impact of Crimes,” for this information.)
Moderator: Laura Burdick, Senior Immigration Specialist, CLINIC
Consular Processing (Repeat from 5/10)
This panel will cover selected topics on processing of immigrant visas abroad. Topics will include review of
authorities governing consular processing, discussion of problem areas, communication with consulates,
how to challenge consular decisions, mechanics of filing waivers, examples of country-specific practices,
waiver appeals, and processing for derivative family members.
Moderator: Peggy Gleason, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Administrative Appeals/Motions to Reopen
This panel will discuss the requirements for filing motions to reopen and reconsider adverse decisions of
applications and petitions. This will include filing deadlines, format and content of motions. It will also discuss
appeals to the Administrative Appeals Unit.
Moderator: TBA
Developing a Media Strategy
This panel will cover the basics of media relations work including how to take media calls, get your stories out and what to do about biased news coverage.
Moderator: William Youmans, Public Affairs Officer, CLINIC
12:00 – 1:15 Networking Lunch
1:45 – 3:15 WORKSHOPS
Family-Based Immigration: The Latest Developments (Repeat from 5/10)
This panel will present recent developments in family-based immigration issues, including grounds of
inadmissibility, Child Status Protection Act, jurisdictional issues, motions to reopen, federal litigation, arriving
aliens and adjustment of status, overcoming in absentia orders and voluntary departure overstays, and
appeals to the BIA.
Moderator: Charles Wheeler, Director, Training and Technical Support, CLINIC
Ethical Issues In Immigration
This workshop will review the basic ethical responsibilities of legal advocates and how to recognize and
respond to situations that pose ethical problems. It will also address case management techniques and tools
to help improve service delivery to clients.
Moderator: Mirna Torres, Director, Legalization & Advocacy, CLINIC
Adjustment of Status Process
This panel will discuss the process of filing an application to adjust status to permanent residence including
completing the Form I-485 and gathering the supporting documentation, filing the application, obtaining
employment authorization and advance parole, and preparing for and attending the adjustment interview at
USCIS. The session will also include a mock adjustment of status interview.
Moderator: Kristina Karpinski, Senior Attorney, CLINIC
Resource Development – Raising Funds from Foundations and the Community
This workshop will address best practices in fundraising, both from the foundation and individual/community
point of view. The panelists will offer helpful dialogue relating to fundraising challenges for capacity building,
sustainability, special events, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. They will also share best
practices for research and grant writing strategies, as well as providing a list of local and national resources.
Moderator: Israel Menchero, Director, Administration & Development, CLINIC
3:15 - 3:45 Break
3:45 - 5:00 WORKSHOPS
Immigration Law and the Impact of Crimes (Repeat from 5/10))
This panel will review the basics of immigration law and crimes, including how to analyze whether your client’
s offense is a conviction and whether that offense will make the client inadmissible or deportable or subject
them to good moral character bars. The panel will also discuss practical strategies for approaching any case
with a criminal issue before DHS and the immigration courts.
Moderator: Mary Holper, Detention Attorney, CLINIC
Affidavit of Support
This workshop will cover changes brought on by the final regulation and new affidavit of support forms. It
will cover calculating household size, measuring household income, joint sponsors, assets, tax forms and
employer letters, sponsor obligations, and exemptions to the affidavit filing requirements
Moderator: Charles Wheeler, Director, Training & Technical Support, CLINIC
Program Management/BIA Rec./Acc. Issues
Moderator: Jack Holmgren
5:00 - 6:30 Closing Reception