415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
| 2007 Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) 10th Annual Convening THANK YOU TO ALL THE REGISTRANTS, SPEAKERS, and STAFF WHO MADE THIS YEAR'S CONVENING A SUCCESS!! BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT WALLS May 9-11, 2007 Hotel Arizona 181 West Broadway Tucson, AZ 85701 1-800-845-4596 CLINIC’s 10th Annual Convening will offer 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. TOPICS WILL INCLUDE: Naturalization ● Asylum ● Relief from Removal ● Family-Based Immigration ● Consular Processing ●Citizenship ● Developments in VAWA ● Advanced Issues in Petitions for Children ● Religious Immigration ● Immigration Law and Crimes ● T & U Visas ● Resource Development ● Program Management ● BIA Recognition/Accreditation Issues CONFERENCE MATERIALS COMING SOON **PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE** DAY 1, Wednesday, May 9, 2007 2:00 – 5:00 Convening Registration Location: 3:30 - 5:00 Opening Plenary Location: Moderator: Don Kerwin 5:30- 6:30 Welcome Reception Location: DAY 2, Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:30 - 8:00 Mass Location: 7:00 – 5:00 Convening Registration Location: 7:30 - 8:30 Continental Breakfast Location: 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 |
Questions? e-mail Dinah Suncin
IMPORTANT
ACCOMMODATIONS and MORE
CLINIC's 10th Annual Convening
Hotel Arizona
181 West Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-624-87211
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Reference the
group code “CLINIC” to obtain the $99
per night rate. From the web, select
reservations, group reservation, and enter
the attendee code “CLINIC”.
OTHER DISCOUNTS: If you book your flight
through American Airlines, reference code
A8957AM in order to receive a 5 percent
discount on your airfare. Avis Rent-A-Car is
also offering special discounts to CLINIC
convening attendees. The Avis discount
code is AWD#B136001.
CLINIC Affiliates (dues paying members)
Early Bird Registration
(by 3/23/07) $250 per person
After 3/23/07 $310 per person
Group Rate
After the first 3 registrants from a single
agency, additional registrants pay the
reduced fee of $200.
Agency Cap (by 3/23/07) $750
Agency Cap (after
3/23/07) $930
Non-Profit Agency, Non-Member
Standard registration fee $360 per person
Group Rate
After the first 3 registrants from a single
agency, additional registrants pay the
reduced fee of $330.
Agency Cap $1,080
Private Attorneys/Staff $410 per person
-------------
CANCELLATION POLICY: A $175 fee will be
charged for cancellations after March 30,
2007 for costs already incurred.
ACCOMMODATIONS and MORE
CLINIC's 10th Annual Convening
Hotel Arizona
181 West Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-624-87211
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Reference the
group code “CLINIC” to obtain the $99
per night rate. From the web, select
reservations, group reservation, and enter
the attendee code “CLINIC”.
OTHER DISCOUNTS: If you book your flight
through American Airlines, reference code
A8957AM in order to receive a 5 percent
discount on your airfare. Avis Rent-A-Car is
also offering special discounts to CLINIC
convening attendees. The Avis discount
code is AWD#B136001.
CLINIC Affiliates (dues paying members)
Early Bird Registration
(by 3/23/07) $250 per person
After 3/23/07 $310 per person
Group Rate
After the first 3 registrants from a single
agency, additional registrants pay the
reduced fee of $200.
Agency Cap (by 3/23/07) $750
Agency Cap (after
3/23/07) $930
Non-Profit Agency, Non-Member
Standard registration fee $360 per person
Group Rate
After the first 3 registrants from a single
agency, additional registrants pay the
reduced fee of $330.
Agency Cap $1,080
Private Attorneys/Staff $410 per person
-------------
CANCELLATION POLICY: A $175 fee will be
charged for cancellations after March 30,
2007 for costs already incurred.
SAVE THE DATE
Convening, 2008
Joint MRS-CLINIC National
Migration Conference
July 28-31, 2008
Washington, DC
Do you need the 2007
Convening Materials?
Convening, 2008
Joint MRS-CLINIC National
Migration Conference
July 28-31, 2008
Washington, DC
Do you need the 2007
Convening Materials?
Special Thanks to these Sponsors:
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