2024 eConference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Understanding United States Immigration and Nationality Laws (Dec 2024)

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

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Paul Parsons, Paul Parsons, PC - Austin, TX

Political Crystal Ball: Immigration Possibilities Following the Election (Dec 2024)

Predictions and analysis of immigration policies based on the possible election results. Discuss potential policy changes for business immigration, state policies and national policies.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Kristin Etter, Texas Immigration Law Council - Austin, TX
Richard A. Gump Jr., The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump Jr. P.C. - Dallas, TX
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, American Immigration Council - Washington, DC

Under the CEAC: Navigating the Choppy Waters of the NVC (Dec 2024)

Explore the National Visa Center's role in consular processing cases and gain insights on effectively communicating with the agency.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Miriam Garza-Lee, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
Kelli J. Stump, Stump & Associates, P.C. - Oklahoma City, OK

Consular Issues Roundtable (Dec 2024)

Discuss recent developments and other consular issues.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Mona Gupta, Gupta & Wiora, P.C. - Addison, TX
Tiffany Derentz, BAL - Washington, DC
Otto H. Van Maerssen, Bay Immigration Law - Palo Alto, CA

Policy & Politics: Immigration In the 2024 Elections and Beyond (Dec 2024)

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Benjamin Johnson, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC

Unusual Occupations for Business (Dec 2024)

What happens when a client comes to you with an occupation that doesn’t fit squarely into the Dictionary of Occupational Titles or TN Appendix? This panel has almost seen it all! Let’s review some creative strategies for obtaining business visas and permanent residence approval in unorthodox occupations and possibly consider how a role may actually fit into a different visa and green card type than the typical H-1B/EB-3.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Maggie Murphy, BAL - Austin, TX
Ashley Foret Dees, BAL - Houston, TX
Gayle Oshrin, Kauff McGuire & Margolis LLP - New York, NY

When Spit Hits the Fan During an AOS  (Dec 2024)

How to prepare for and address the unexpected surprises in your AOS cases, and perhaps avoid them altogether.  

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Magali Suárez Candler, Suárez Candler Law, PLLC - Houston, TX
Maggie Murphy, BAL - Austin, TX
Lakshmi Nayar, Nayar & McIntyre, LLP - Irving, TX

When Spit Hits the Fan During Trial (Dec 2024)

Discuss those sticky areas in court when things do not go how you expected including lying, candor to the court, maintaining professionalism in the worst circumstances, and ethical duties. 

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Simon M. Azar-Farr, Simon Azar-Farr & Associates - San Antonio, TX
Jodi M. Goodwin, Law Office of Jodi Goodwin - Harlingen, TX
George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Texas-Mexico Border Update and Forecast (Dec 2024)

Trends in immigration processing and policy implementation at the Texas-Mexico border including CBP One, expedited removal, and trends on specific nationalities. Brief forecasting of potential changes on the border depending on the outcome of 2024 Presidential elections. 

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Laura Peña, American Bar Association ProBAR - Brownsville, TX

SIJ Predicate Orders (Dec 2024)

Learn best practices when filing for SIJS predicate orders from the best in Texas! Focus on the family court orders required for filing for special immigrant juvenile visas, with a view from both sides of the bench.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Hon. Darlene Byrne, Third Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Irene G. Mugambi, Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C. - Dallas, TX

When Spit Hits the N-400 (Dec 2024)

Not everyone can have a smooth-sailing N-400. Discuss identifying the dark clouds in naturalization cases before filing, as well as how to deal with those that gather after the N-400 has been filed. 

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Richard S. Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX
Cyrus D. Mehta, Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners, PLLC - New York, NY
Jacqueline L. Watson, JLW Immigration Law Group - Austin, TX

Trends in U and T Visas (Dec 2024)

Discuss recent trends in U and T visa practice, including U visa case management challenges, litigation options for processing delays, 2024 changes to the T visa regulations, and remedies such as deferred action for cases involving labor violations.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Laura E. Flores, American Bar Association Commission on Immigration - San Antonio, TX
Stacie Leigh Jonas, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - Austin, TX
Tracie L. Morgan, Hope Immigration - Atlanta, GA
Megan Sheffield, Sheffield & Harriger, PLLC - Austin, TX

Navigating Advance Parole, Deferred Action, and TPS Recipients Toward Permanent Residency (Dec 2024)

Explore the ways that people in quasi- immigration status’ such as TPS, Deferred Action, Parole Status and DACA can adjust status or pursue an immigrant visa in the family or employment based context.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Faye M. Kolly, McChesney Kolly PLLC - Austin, TX
Ramón E. Curiel, Oliva, Saks, Garcia, Curiel, LLP - San Antonio, TX
Paul B. Hunker III, DMCA, LLP - Dallas, TX

Dealing with Election Anxiety (Dec 2024)

Presidential elections impact the daily lives of immigration attorneys perhaps more than any other profession. Focus on practical strategies for harnessing anxiety in service of our values, and for fostering courage, strength, and fortitude to thrive, no matter what the future may hold.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Jennifer Walker Gates, JLW Immigration Law Group - Austin, TX

Solid STEM OPTions: Keeping Talent In the United States (Dec 2024)

Facing the limitations of the annual H-1B cap, attorneys must provide creative solutions for college graduates in the STEM fields. Explore the practical solutions found within the F-1 visa category, such as OPT extensions and “Day One” CPT, as well as non-F-1 options from concurrent H-1B employment, to investment based options, to early filing of National Interest Waiver or other non-PERM green card options. 

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

William A. Stock, Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP - Philadelphia, PA
Beatriz Trillos Ballerini, Trillos-Ballerini Law Firm, P.C. - Houston, TX
Sang M. Shin, Jackson Walker LLP - Houston & Austin, TX

Case Law Update (Dec 2024)

Precedential case law updates spanning 2023 to 2024, with a focus on decisions positive for noncitizens where possible! Hear a discussion on Supreme Court updates, as well as interesting precedent from the Fifth Circuit, other Circuits, and BIA. Topics will include asylum, crimmigration, and more!

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Kevin A. Gregg, Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A. - San Diego, CA
Jonathan Levy, American Gateways - Austin, TX

Texas Crimmigration (Dec 2024)

A comprehensive review of specific criminal offenses in Texas and their potential immigration implications. The speakers will provide guidance on advising immigrant clients about the potential challenges associated with these offenses.

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Nicolas Chavez, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
Amelia Ruiz Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX

Asylum Access (Dec 2024)

Provide an update on the current status of the new asylum regulations, litigation, and tips for asserting eligibility for asylum despite recent restrictions, and highlight recent BIA and Fifth Circuit decisions in asylum, WOR and CAT cases. 

Originally presented: Oct 2024 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Laura Peña, American Bar Association ProBAR - Brownsville, TX
Erica B. Schommer, St. Mary's University School of Law - San Antonio, TX