SILVER SPRING, Maryland — CLINIC Convening is back in an all-virtual format, after a one-year, pandemic-enforced break. Over four days — May 17-20, 2021 — CLINIC affiliates, other non-profit staff, government officials, lawyers and members of the media will learn how to navigate the United States’ complex and ever-changing immigration legal system, network with practitioners and advocates from across the U.S. and strategize in an engaging online conference.

Highlights include a fireside chat with Felicia Escobar Carrillo, Chief of Staff for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and a panel on immigration changes with leaders at Haitian Bridge Alliance, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, CARECEN and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (May 17); local policing issues with former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden (May 18); and representing clients at the Board of Immigration Appeals (May 19), among other technical topics.

May 20 will feature a panel about addressing anti-Black systemic racism in immigration law and policy, with leaders from African Communities Together, UndocuBlack Network, Voice For Refuge and American Friends Service Committee.

Each full day starts with a virtual mass, celebrated by Archbishop Hartmayer (Atlanta) on May 18; Bishop Soto (Sacramento, Calif., and CLINIC’s board chair) on May 19; and Bishop Dorsonville (Washington, D.C.) on May 20.

WHAT: CLINIC Convening 2021 — Charting a New Course

WHO: Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. affiliates, partners, and colleagues in the government, non-profit, and immigration legal sectors

WHEN: Afternoons on May 17-20, 2021 (see full schedule here)

WHERE: Online. Members of the media who wish to cover or learn more about the event should email ltramonte@cliniclegal.org. More information about the event and sessions is available here.

About CLINIC Convening 2021

CLINIC Convening is CLINIC’s flagship technical assistance, networking, and strategy event, held on an annual basis. 2021 marks the 22nd year of CLINIC Convening.

Workshops will be led by industry experts from non-profit, legal and faith-based backgrounds. Representing asylum-seekers in a rapidly changing landscape, addressing anti-Black systemic racism in U.S. immigration law and policy, and strategies for resolving difficult immigration cases are among the real-world topics to be covered at CLINIC Convening 2021.

Participants can follow tracks on humanitarian legal options, skills-building for immigration law practitioners, family-based immigration, deportation, advocacy and other issues; or choose the sessions that interest them most from more than two dozen offerings.

In addition to policy and legal sessions, there will also be time set aside for spiritual and emotional wellness. Archbishop Hartmayer (Atlanta); Bishop Soto (Sacramento, Calif.); and Bishop Dorsonville (Washington, D.C.) lead opening masses on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Laughter yoga, meditation, chat rooms and even virtual magic shows are also part of the multi-day agenda.

CLINIC Convening 2021 sponsors include Catholic Charities USA, LawLogix, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Felician Sisters of North America and Sisters of St. Joseph. Contributions to the Lily Gutierrez Memorial Fund provide scholarships to cover the cost of convening for CLINIC affiliates who cannot afford to pay. Please donate here and add "LG Fund" to the "Memo" field. Thank you for your support.

Continuing Legal Education credits are available for those who attend the workshops. DOJ Accredited Representatives and other nonprofit professionals can receive a certificate of attendance.

Questions from the media can be directed to ltramonte@cliniclegal.org. Other questions about the conference can be sent to convening@cliniclegal.org.