UT Law Continuing Legal Education

46^th Annual

Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Austin Sep 29-30, 2022 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Sep 29-30, 2022
Conference Concluded

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Overview

In a constantly changing political climate, navigating the law is more important than ever. UT Law CLE's 46th Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law is ideal for practitioners of all experience levels and provides an opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts.

The 2-day program offers in-depth discussion on issues at the forefront of immigration practice and provides tools, forms, tips, and guidance on key decision points, including the increasing importance of removal and relief from removal. Gain strategies to provide the best advocacy for your clients while protecting yourself and your practice.

2022 highlights include:

Hear national policy, federal case and court updates.
Examine the National Interest Waiver category and review practical considerations in this option.
Practical guidance and updates on PERM drafting trends including remote work situations, new SOC codes, good-faith compliance regarding the Facebook settlement, and relevant BALCA summaries.
Learn how to approach and analyze criminal issues of inadmissibility and deportability.
Coverage of key compliance and audit issues in Site Visits and Audits and Key I-9 Audit and Compliance Issues – Mistakes to Avoid.
Humanitarian Practice & Procedures Updates provides updates to policy, procedure, and reality for DACA, TPS, Parole, SIJS and U & T visas.

Join us a day early for the Fundamentals of Immigration and Nationality Law - ideal for new entrants to the field or as a refresher for experienced practitioners.

Following the conference, attendees will receive supplemental on-demand programming to ensure they are able to satisfy their full 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE requirement.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Day 1 September 29, 2022
Day 2 September 30, 2022

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning
Presiding Officer:
Jacqueline L. Watson, Walker Gates Vela, PLLC - Austin, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:20 am

Welcoming Remarks
8:30 am

0.75 hr

Acquired Citizenship: If Your Client Has Acquired Citizenship, The Rest of This Conference is MOOT

Many professionals are so focused on the familiar business or family immigration topics, that they forget to ask about ancestors. Gain insight to tools and examples of what to look for when interviewing a potential client and how to develop and file a citizenship case.

Kathrin Mautino, Kathrin S. Mautino APLC - San Diego, CA
9:15 am

0.75 hr

Naturalization From Easy to Difficult

A look at naturalization cases from the very straight-forward to the most common (and uncommon) difficult issues and red ﬂags.

Natalie Hansen, Hansen & Taylor, PLLC - Austin, TX
Guillermo M. Hernández III, Rivera Hernandez Campos PLLC - San Antonio, TX
Kathrin Mautino, Kathrin S. Mautino APLC - San Diego, CA
10:00 am

15-Minute Break
10:15 am

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Crimmigration

Learn how to approach and analyze criminal issues of inadmissibility and deportability. Listen to an overview of the categorical and modified categorical approach, review how to apply the approaches to issues that may arise in your cases, and hear helpful and creative practice pointers.

Amelia Ruiz Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX
Jordan Pollock, Dallas County Public Defender’s Office - Dallas, TX
11:15 am

1.00 hr

Federal Case Law Update

Learn about the latest case decisions by federal courts.

Javier N. Maldonado, Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC - San Antonio, TX
Materials By:
Imran B. Mirza, Law Office of Imran Mirza, PC - Bellaire, TX
12:15 pm
Austin Only

Pick up Lunch

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon
Presiding Officer:
Sarah E. Woelk, Casa Marianella Immigration Legal Services - Austin, TX
Luncheon Presentation
12:35 pm

1.00 hr

National Policy Updates

Join members of AILA’s Executive Committee and Board, as well as AILA’s Director of Government Relations to review current regulatory and policy updates as we head into the government’s next fiscal year. From DACA – 10 Years Later to Changes in I-9 policy, this panel will review recent changes in immigration policy and what to expect for 2023.

Sharvari (Shev) Dalal-Dheini, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC
Maggie Murphy, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Austin, TX
Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Jacqueline L. Watson, Walker Gates Vela, PLLC - Austin, TX
1:35 pm

15-Minute Break
1:50 pm

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

New Focus on to NIWs

Entrepreneurs and investors may explore the National Interest Waiver category to pursue permanent resident status. Examine the category and review practical considerations in this option.

Ramón E. Curiel, Oliva, Saks, Garcia, Curiel, LLP - San Antonio, TX
2:50 pm

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Navigating the H-2A and H-2B Filing Process

A discussion on the ever-changing landscape of the H-2A and H-2B filing processes.

Kyle Farmer, Farmer Law PC - Austin, TX
Karen-Lee Pollak, Pollak PLLC - Dallas, TX
3:50 pm

10-Minute Break
4:00 pm

1.00 hr

PERM Labor Certification Updates

This panel will provide practical guidance and updates on PERM drafting trends. Issues discussed will include remote work situations, new SOC codes, good-faith compliance with regard to the Facebook settlement, and relevant BALCA summaries.

Heather L. Frayre, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
Maggie Murphy, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Austin, TX
Paige L. Taylor, Fragomen Del Ray Bernsen & Loewy, LLP - Dallas, TX
5:00 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Site Visits and Audits

Discuss the use of site visits and audits for compliance reviews by USCIS and how best practices to prepare for the possibility. Review a top ten best practices list to apply before filing applications and petitions.

Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
5:30 pm

Pro Bono Introduction
5:40 pm
Austin Only

Adjourn to Pro Bono Reception
Austin Only

NETWORKING RECEPTION AND PRO BONO MIXER

Enjoy refreshments and a networking opportunity with colleagues, conference faculty, and pro bono organization representatives.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning
Presiding Officer:
Richard S. Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX
8:00 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens
8:30 am

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Key I-9 Audit and Compliance Issues – Mistakes to Avoid

You can save your client $$ by knowing the key mistakes they are likely to make. Common mistakes of note include: transitioning from temporary remote verification to secondary in person tactile examination of documents, automatic extensions of certain documents, pre-hire questions, citizenship discrimination or document abuse violations of DOJ Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) laws, and E-Verify issues.

Richard A. Gump Jr., The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr. P.C. - Dallas, TX
Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
9:30 am

0.75 hr

ECAS Webex and You

This session covers the basics of navigating immigration court through the ECAS system. Tips on how to get the most out of all ECAS capabilities and hints on how to get old cases uploaded into the ECAS system.

George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
10:15 am

15-Minute Break
10:30 am

0.75 hr

OPT and STEM

This session will cover basic eligibility and application requirements for 12-month OPT and STEM OPT, as well as school official, student and employer responsibilities during STEM extensions.

Martin Valko, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Dallas, TX
David Ware, Ware|Immigration - Metairie, LA
11:15 am

0.75 hr
0.50 hr ethics

Difficult Clients and Our Difficult Practice

How do we safely and ethically handle difficult clients and protect ourselves and our staff in our politically-charged practices?

Amanda M. Kates, State Bar of Texas - Austin, TX
12:00 pm
Austin Only

Pick up Lunch

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon
Presiding Officer:
Edna Yang, American Gateways - Austin, TX
Luncheon Presentation
12:20 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Mental Health in Light of Difficult Clients and Difficult Practices

How to develop Posttraumatic Growth and be psychologically and emotionally strong when working in the ongoing stress of working with trauma survivors. Review self-care and maintaining balance both professionally and personally.

Bernadette Hassan Solórzano, Our Lady of the Lake University Community Counseling Service - San Antonio, TX
12:50 pm

15-Minute Break
1:05 pm

0.50 hr
0.25 hr ethics

PD in a Nutshell

A quick guide to the current state of DHS prosecutorial discretion, how to request PD, and what happens after PD is granted.

Robert W. Armstrong Jr., Armstrong Legal Law Firm, PLLC - Dallas, TX
1:35 pm

1.00 hr

Asylum

Review major updates and changes to asylum law and process under the first two years of the Biden Administration. Topics will include updates on the implementation of the new Interim Final Rule on asylum processing, the status of MPP and Title 42, major caselaw changes in the 5th Circuit, and affirmative asylum processing through the Houston Asylum Office.

Zoe Bowman, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center - El Paso, TX
Robert Painter, American Gateways - Austin, TX
Luis Rios, ProBAR - Harlingen, TX
2:35 pm

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Humanitarian Practice & Procedures Updates

The panel will discuss updates to policy, procedure, and reality for DACA, TPS, Parole, SIJS and U & T visas. This will include bona fide determinations (BFD) for U visas, work authorization eligibility for SIJS, and the benefits or not of advance parole for DACA and TPS.

Sarah Vidal, Law Office of Jodi Goodwin - Harlingen, TX
Jacqueline L. Watson, Walker Gates Vela, PLLC - Austin, TX
Materials By:
Rosemary Vega, University of Houston Law Center, Immigration Clinic - Houston, TX
3:20 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 September 29, 2022
Day 2 September 30, 2022

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Robert W. Armstrong Jr.

Armstrong Legal Law Firm, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Zoe Bowman

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
El Paso, TX

Kathleen Campbell Walker

Dickinson Wright PLLC
El Paso, TX

Ramón E. Curiel

Oliva, Saks, Garcia, Curiel, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Sharvari (Shev) Dalal-Dheini

American Immigration Lawyers Association
Washington, DC

Kyle Farmer

Farmer Law PC
Austin, TX

Amelia Ruiz Fischer

Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law
Nacogdoches, TX

Heather L. Frayre

Dickinson Wright PLLC
El Paso, TX

Richard A. Gump Jr.

The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr. P.C.
Dallas, TX

Natalie Hansen

Hansen & Taylor, PLLC
Austin, TX

Guillermo M. Hernández III

Rivera Hernandez Campos PLLC
San Antonio, TX

Amanda M. Kates

State Bar of Texas
Austin, TX

Javier N. Maldonado

Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC
San Antonio, TX

Kathrin Mautino

Kathrin S. Mautino APLC
San Diego, CA

Imran B. Mirza

Law Office of Imran Mirza, PC
Bellaire, TX

Maggie Murphy

Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
Austin, TX

Robert Painter

American Gateways
Austin, TX

Karen-Lee Pollak

Pollak PLLC
Dallas, TX

Jordan Pollock

Dallas County Public Defender’s Office
Dallas, TX

Luis Rios

ProBAR
Harlingen, TX

George Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Bernadette Hassan Solórzano

Our Lady of the Lake University Community Counseling Service
San Antonio, TX

Paige L. Taylor

Fragomen Del Ray Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Dallas, TX

Martin Valko

Chavez & Valko, LLP
Dallas, TX

Rosemary Vega

University of Houston Law Center, Immigration Clinic
Houston, TX

Sarah Vidal

Law Office of Jodi Goodwin
Harlingen, TX

David Ware

Ware|Immigration
Metairie, LA

Jacqueline L. Watson

Walker Gates Vela, PLLC
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez—Co-Chair

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Jacqueline L. Watson—Co-Chair

Walker Gates Vela, PLLC
Austin, TX

Simon M. Azar-Farr

Simon Azar-Farr & Associates
San Antonio, TX

Kathleen Campbell Walker

Dickinson Wright PLLC
El Paso, TX

Nicolas Chavez

Chavez & Valko, LLP
Fort Worth, TX

Michael J. Churgin

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Amelia Ruiz Fischer

Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law
Nacogdoches, TX

Richard S. Fischer

Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law
Nacogdoches, TX

Eugene J. Flynn

Eugene J. Flynn, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Jodi M. Goodwin

Law Office of Jodi Goodwin
Harlingen, TX

Richard A. Gump Jr.

The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr. P.C.
Dallas, TX

Mona Gupta

Gupta & Wiora, P.C.
Addison, TX

Harry J. Joe

JMA Firm, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch

Lincoln-Goldfinch Law
Austin, TX

Javier N. Maldonado

Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC
San Antonio, TX

Irene G. Mugambi

Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C.
Dallas, TX

Paul Parsons

Paul Parsons, PC
Austin, TX

George Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Erica B. Schommer

St. Mary's University School of Law
San Antonio, TX

Nancy Taylor Shivers

Shivers & Shivers
San Antonio, TX

Peter D. Williamson

Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams & Aughtry
Houston, TX

Sarah E. Woelk

Casa Marianella Immigration Legal Services
Austin, TX

Edna Yang

American Gateways
Austin, TX

MCLE Credit

Texas – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Criminal Law, Family Law, Immigration and Nationality Law, Labor and Employment Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Monday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com

California – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Oklahoma – 17.00 hrs | 3.50 hrs Ethics

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Pennsylvania – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. You may also be required to sign-in at the registration desk if you are attending in-person - please see staff onsite for more details. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks of the webcast conclusion. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Other States – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 17.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion at the conference for your records. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

MCLE Credit

Texas – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Criminal Law, Family Law, Immigration and Nationality Law, Labor and Employment Law

UT Law CLE will report credit to the State Bar of Texas on your behalf. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.

California – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. Print and keep the Certificate of Completion for your records. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.

Oklahoma – 17.00 hrs | 3.50 hrs Ethics

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #169) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association for MCLE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the webcast.

Pennsylvania – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks of the webcast conclusion. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Other States – 14.00 hrs | 3.00 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

To claim Other States MCLE credit, Other States credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 17.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Texas Accounting CPE credit, the Texas Accounting CPE credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Self-report your CPE credit directly to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – Sep 29-30, 2022 – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin

Conference Concluded

Live Webcast – Sep 29-30, 2022

Conference Concluded

Buy