Sept. 11-25, 2025 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE: 1.5 per webinar

This three-week webinar series will provide an introduction to self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and adjustment of status for approved self-petitioners. The presenters will cover the basic eligibility requirements for self-petitioning for individuals who have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by certain U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR) family members. Participants will learn about how to prepare a successful self-petition, including strategies for developing the client’s declaration and gathering required evidence.

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s nonprofit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a nonprofit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.

NOTE: Access to recordings of the webinars is included with your purchase of the three-part webinar series. Your access will be available until Oct. 25.  

Webinar One: Eligibility to File a VAWA Self-Petition

Sept.11 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week one, students will focus on the eligibility requirements for filing a VAWA self-petition based on battery or extreme cruelty by a USC or LPR spouse or parent, or by a USC adult son or daughter. The presenters will also discuss eligibility for derivatives and age-out protections. The presenters will also discuss the Notice to Appear (NTA) memo and briefly review eligibility for VAWA cancellation of removal.

Webinar Two: Best Practices in Preparing a Self-Petition and Responding to Problems Along the Way

Sept. 18 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week two, we will examine how to put together a successful self-petition, including initial screening for eligibility, developing the client’s declaration, creating a road-map style cover letter, gathering evidence, obtaining police clearance letters, and facing challenges in providing proof of the abuser’s status. The presenters will also discuss common requests for evidence, options for obtaining employment authorization, approvals, and denials.

Webinar Three: Applying for Permanent Residence

Sept. 25 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week three, we will focus on obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The presenters will discuss eligibility for adjustment of status, including when an approved self-petitioner is eligible to apply as an immediate relative or as a preference immigrant based on the Department of State Visa Bulletin. The presenters will also discuss how age-out protections apply at the adjustment of status stage. In addition, participants will learn about common grounds of inadmissibility and preparing waivers of inadmissibility.

Aug. 20, 2025 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE: 1.5

This webinar will provide an introduction to motions practice in immigration court. The presenters will cover the basic requirements for filing a motion with the immigration court, using the Immigration Court Practice Manual as a guide. We will talk about the legal standards that Immigration Judges use when considering the most common motions, such as motions to continue, motions to change venue, and motions for administrative closure. Presenters will explain how to reach out to the ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) for their position before filing motions and discuss responses to OPLA’s motions, particularly in the context of motions to dismiss and re-calendar. We will discuss how a robust motions practice can save time for legal practitioners and allow for zealous advocacy for their clients in the current high-enforcement climate. 

The webinar recording will not be provided so be sure to join us live.

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s nonprofit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a nonprofit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.

Sept. 2 - Oct. 27, 2025 | CA MCLE: Self-Study

Course Description

Please join us for a six-unit course that will cover the practical skills needed to represent clients in their immigration cases. During the course, we will follow a hypothetical client from intake to case conclusion and all that is needed in between. Participants in this limited-enrollment course will be given the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in short assignments after each class and later receive model answers and feedback on select assignments. Topics covered will include the following: conducting an intake with a potential client, accepting the case, obtaining and incorporating the factual evidence, conducting legal research, advocating for your client both in writing and orally, and the common ethical concerns arising in immigration cases.
 

Course Structure

The course starts on Sept. 2 with access to the e-learning website. All six units consist of a live, interactive webinar and a set of self-directed activities, which include readings and an exercise. The webinars will be recorded, allowing students the flexibility to work the sessions into their busy schedules. Also, instructors will give feedback for each unit exercise, including model answers.
 

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is appropriate for the aspiring or new practitioner who is prepared to make the time commitment needed to fully participate in this course and complete its requirements. Participants are expected to have taken CLINIC’s Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law (COIL) or have an equivalent level of understanding of immigration law. The course has an accelerated pace, with one 90-minute webinar each week, as well as each unit’s self-directed learning activities. Overall, participants should expect to spend between four to six hours each week attending or listening to recordings of the weekly webinars and completing the corresponding course activities. If you have the time to devote to this learning experience, this course is a great way to quickly learn the fundamentals of practicing immigration law.

If you are a government employee, you may not register for this training without prior authorization from CLINIC. You may request permission to register by contacting CLINIC at training@cliniclegal.org.
 

Course Completion Requirements

Course participants will receive a course completion certificate if they (a) attend or view recordings of each of the six course webinars and (b) complete each unit assignment. You have until Oct. 27, 2025, to meet these requirements.
 

Total Instruction Time

This six-week e-learning course includes 9 hours of webinar-based instruction and approximately 21 hours of self-directed learning assignments, based on an estimate of 3.5 hours of reading and other homework assignments for each unit of the course.
 

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s nonprofit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a nonprofit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.
 

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), is pleased to announce a court skills training opportunity for Partially Accredited Representatives who want to qualify and apply for full accreditation to represent clients in immigration court.

The Partial to Full Accreditation Initiative will guide participants through activities, webinars, and readings geared toward learning the skills essential for effective litigation as required for full accreditation. The initiative will culminate in a 3-day court skills training in Dallas, Texas, from Feb. 3-5, 2026. During the in-person training, participants will learn essential skills from CLINIC faculty and will practice with exercises on direct examination, objections, re-direct examination, preparing for cross examination, and closing arguments. CLINIC faculty will provide individualized feedback after each performance.

If interested in this opportunity, submit an application by Aug. 11 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
 

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s non-profit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a non-profit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.
 

This program was made possible through the generous support of the SC Ministry Foundation, which promotes the mission and ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

Sept. 9–Oct. 7, 2025 | CA MCLE: N/A

One of the secrets to running a successful immigration legal services program is prioritizing consistency, efficiency, and organization. This self-directed, introductory-level case management course will walk through the life of a case by discussing basic components of effective case management techniques and strategies. Participants will learn best practices in intake procedures, case opening and acceptance, file maintenance, client communication, data and deadline tracking, case closing, and file retention and destruction. Our CLINIC team will help you think through techniques, strategies, and best practices in creating a case management policies and procedures manual that fits your program and ensures ethical, consistent, efficient, and organized immigration legal service program delivery. 

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s nonprofit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a nonprofit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.

NOTE: Each unit requires you to watch a recorded webinar and participate in activities to obtain CLINIC’s Certificate of Completion. The following is a breakdown of the individual units. This self-directed series will close at the e-learning site on Oct. 7. All coursework must be completed prior to that date to receive a Certificate of Completion.
 

Unit 1: Case Management System, Database, Policies and Procedures

Unit 1 will focus on what a case management system is, why a case management system is important, and how to develop and implement case management policies and procedures. We will also introduce you to resources that will help you get started. 
 

Unit 2: Intake, Case Selection, and Opening Cases

Unit 2 of the series contemplates the beginning of the life of a case. We will discuss intake procedures, case selection, case opening, and scope of representation. We will incorporate various delivery models and best practices.   
 

Unit 3: File Maintenance and Security, Communication, and Case Tracking 

Unit 3 is dedicated to file maintenance, storage, access, and security, setting reminders and tracking case deadlines, client communication, mail procedures, case notes, what to do with original client documents, and file audits. 
 

Unit 4: Terminating Representation, Closing Cases, File Retention, and File Destruction 

The last unit of the case management series will cover best practices regarding the end of a case’s lifecycle. This will include client communication, case closing letters, data tracking and record keeping, file retention and destruction, and client surveys.