2021 eConference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Understanding United States Immigration & Nationality Laws (Dec 2021)

Explanations of concepts including unlawful presence, out of status, and nonimmigrant intent as well as the categories for immigrants, nonimmigrants, and citizens.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Paul Parsons, Paul Parsons, PC - Austin, TX

A Beginner's Guide to Litigating Claims for Immigration Benefits (Dec 2021)

When to sue, how to sue, who to sue, and some tricks of the trade.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

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

It’s About Ethics (Dec 2021)

Dual representation of employer/employee, and citizen petitioner/alien spouse are common in immigration. When is it impermissible and what steps does the immigration lawyer take to end it and avoid conflicts? Suborning Perjury: When does the immigration lawyer step across the line and how to avoid it. 

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Feroz Farook Merchant, The Merchant Law Firm - Houston, TX
Peter D. Williamson, Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams & Aughtry - Houston, TX

Post-Apocalyptic Business and Worksite Hot Topics (Dec 2021)

Highlights of the most recent updates on such hot button topics as never ending government backlogs (EAD’s, EB AOS’s, consular NIV/IV interviews), worksite conundrum: in person versus remote verification issues and resurgence of I-9 audits, impact of H-2b and J-1 shortages on universities and industries, PERM based I-140 ability to pay due to COVID economics, and investor issues: (reinstated entrepreneur parole rule, E-2 and EB-5 heartaches).

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Francisco J. García, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - Galveston, TX
Richard A. Gump Jr., The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr. P.C. - Dallas, TX
Maggie Murphy, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Austin, TX

Politics & Partisanship: The Struggle for Immigration Reform (Dec 2021)

With the mid-term elections approaching, can Congress agree on any immigration reforms and what more can the administration do on its own?

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Benjamin Johnson, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC

Post-Apocalyptic Hot Topics in Family (Dec 2021)

What does family unification as a national policy under the new administration mean for practitioners? Where are we now with family based immigration: changes in policies, impact on risk of filing complicated cases, and the latest updates.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Nicolas Chavez, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
Cori A. Hash, Lincoln Goldfinch Law - Austin, TX
George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Asylum, MPP and Other Border Issues (Dec 2021)

Dive into updates on what is happening in asylum. Focus on the aftermath of MPP, discuss what is happening on the border, and give updates about processing of cases at the Asylum Office and the Immigration Court.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Brian Manning, Manning Asylum Law - Houston, TX
Edna Yang, American Gateways - Austin, TX

Recent Developments/Updates on Representing Youth (Dec 2021)

With a dizzying amount of changes and updates to immigration law over the last couple of years, it can be difficult to keep track. Explore hot topics in representing children and youth, including the impact of Title 42, numbers of youth entering at the border, the ORR reunification process, impacts of the Migrant Protection Protocols program, as well as updates to representing youth in asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Yvette Changuin, RAICES - San Antonio, TX
Laura Egan, American Bar Association (ABA), Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) - Houston, TX
Lindsay Gray, VECINA - Austin, TX

Anatomy of a Niz-Chavez (Dec 2021)

Niz-Chavez v. Garland, turning square corners and the evolving riddle of proper immigration notice.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Simon M. Azar-Farr, Simon Azar-Farr & Associates - San Antonio, TX

BIA and Federal Court Update (Dec 2021)

Learn about the latest case decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Jacqueline L. Watson, Walker Gates Vela, PLLC - Austin, TX

Business NIV Solutions – Practical Timing Considerations to Maintain/Extend Status and Consular Processing (Dec 2021)

Discuss strategic timing of processing issues related to premium processing; dependent EAD extensions; NIEs/ travel restrictions; the process to develop strategies for successful consular outcomes; and how to manage client expectations.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

James D. Prappas, Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC - Houston, TX
Philip Eichorn, Foster LLP - Houston, TX

When All Else Fails . . . Business IV Solutions (Dec 2021)

Dive into creative solutions to some of the nagging issues practitioners face when processing an employment-based immigrant visa case. Whether it’s with the PERM labor certification application, the I-140 petition, adjustment of status, or consular processing, some problems just don’t seem to go away. Hear from three highly experienced business immigration attorneys who will share their insights and experiences that lead to case approvals (often without audit!).

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Neena Renu Wiora, Gupta and Wiora, P.C. - Addison, TX
Linda Rose, Rose Immigration Law Firm, PLC - Nashville, TN
Maggie Murphy, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Austin, TX

TLAP/Lawyer Wellness (Dec 2021)

An overview of obstacles to lawyer wellness and examines evidence-based strategies for building or maintaining mental health while engaging in the very demanding practice of law.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Erica Grigg, Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program - Austin, TX

Family Based Solutions in the midst of COVID-19 (Dec 2021)

Navigating creative solutions to get USCIS to adjudicate and responding to RFEs in Family based petitions.  

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Maria E. McIntyre, Nayar & McIntyre, LLP - Irving, TX
Irene G. Mugambi, Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C. - Dallas, TX
Lakshmi Nayar, Nayar & McIntyre, LLP - Irving, TX

Recent Developments in Representing Vulnerable Populations (Dec 2021)

Dive into recent developments in U and T visa petitions affecting immigrant survivors, including USCIS's bona fide determination policy for U visas, representing U and T visa petitioners in removal proceedings, and updates regarding the inclusion of after-acquired family members as derivatives in U and T visa petitions.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Amy Cheung, ASISTA Immigration Assistance - Suffield, CT
Elise Thompson Harriger, Casa Marianella Immigration Legal Services - Austin, TX

Consular Processing Post Pandemic  (Dec 2021)

The pandemic left the consular corps and visa processing with major backlogs and staffing dilemmas. Finding a consular post to schedule appointments and process National Interest Exceptions is akin to locating the holy grail. Epic delays in appointment availability may endure well beyond the global health crisis. Address strategies and assessments of the current state of consular affairs and visa processing.

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
Kenneth J. Harder, Dunbar Harder, PLLC - Houston, TX

Ask the Experts (Dec 2021)

Originally presented: Oct 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Eugene J. Flynn, Eugene J. Flynn, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Francisco J. García, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - Galveston, TX
Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
Edna Yang, American Gateways - Austin, TX