This session is geared for individuals with legal advocate roles at their organizations (attorney, DOJ reps, legal support staff). At this session you will have an opportunity to start conversations that promote learning and sharing of effective legal practices and challenges focused on family based, Naturalization and affirmative immigration legal services cases.

The public charge ground of inadmissibility is often a significant obstacle for low-income clients applying for family-based immigration. But it is also a challenge for practitioners who are assisting in completing the affidavit of support. In this workshop we will review the exceptions to the affidavit of support requirements, how to calculate household size, how to measure current income, and the supporting documentation that must be filed. We will also review any recent changes or proposed changes to the definition of public charge under the current administration.

Have you been waiting for the time when you finally understand the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)? Presenters will cover how the CSPA protects children in the immediate relative category, in the F-2A category, and as derivatives in all family-based preference categories. You will learn how and when to calculate “adjusted age” and understand the one-year filing requirement, including how applicants can use the “extraordinary circumstances” exception if they fail to satisfy the requirement.

You have worked hard to prepare your client’s naturalization application and finally they’ve been scheduled for their interview! This session will provide an in-depth dissection of the inner workings of a naturalization interview at USCIS field offices and the role of the advocate. Trainers will explain the typical course of a naturalization interview from start to finish and discuss complications that can arise. We will also consider best practices for preparing clients for their interviews and strategies practitioners can utilize for cases with complex issues.

This session will provide an overview of the two pathways to family-based adjustment of status under INA §245(a) and INA §245(i). The presenters will highlight some of the key challenges that may arise in these cases, including when the bars at INA 245(c) may apply, screening for hidden inadmissibility issues, and how certain policies may affect adjudications and eligibility for adjustment. Our discussion will also touch upon practical considerations to keep in mind when working with clients to build and document their adjustment cases.