In this interactive panel we will cover some of the most pressing issues in enforcement and removal. We will discuss the latest enforcement trends and policy updates, including the expansion of expedited removal and its application to those within the U.S. and the Laken Riley Act and related changes to mandatory detention. Panelists will also cover how you can prepare and advocate for your clients in light of these changes.

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 break down the essential components of a Master Calendar Hearing (MCH), including procedural requirements and review of the Notice to Appear, discuss common issues that can arise, and best practices for effective representation. Participants will gain insight into EOIR protocols, strategies for requesting relief, entering pleadings, filing motions, and preparing clients for their MCH. Whether you're new to immigration court or looking for a refresher, this training will equip you with the practical knowledge needed to navigate the MCH process with confidence

Back by popular demand! This interactive wellness session dives into recognizing and managing vicarious trauma while preventing burnout. Participants will have an opportunity to reflect through journaling and story sharing, and they will go home with practical tools and personalized strategies to recharge and be the best immigration advocates for themselves, their colleagues, and their clients.

How do your clients’ prior entries to and exits from the United States affect their ability to immigrate? What do past encounters with Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or the immigration court system mean for your clients? INA 212(a)(9) covers many of the most common ways your clients may be found inadmissible. Through hypothetical exercises, this workshop will explore the ways that clients’ immigration histories can lead to inadmissibility for a prior removal, unlawful presence, and the permanent bar.

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.