2016 Immigration and Nationality Law eConference

Navigating Uncharted Waters: The Impact of the Current Political Debate on Immigration Politics and Policy (Dec 2016)

The current election is unlike any we have seen in modern history, and immigration has been front and center.  What does this mean for the politics and policy of immigration, and what are the chances of immigration reform happening in 2017?

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Benjamin E. Johnson, Executive Director, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC

Naturalization (Dec 2016)

Applying for naturalization could be a time for the USCIS to examine your client’s continued claim to lawful permanent resident status. Before you file, find out what hidden dangers to the green card lurk in the shadows. Understand the advantages and obligations of citizenship to discuss with your client and the pitfalls that await you on the Naturalization form.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Eugene J. Flynn, Eugene J. Flynn, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Iliana N. Holguin, Dunbar, Armendariz, Hegeman & Holguin, PLLC - El Paso, TX

Adoptions and Immigration Law (Dec 2016)

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Justine M. Daly, Law Offices Of Justine M. Daly - San Antonio, TX

To PERM or Not to PERM: Exploring EB-1, 2, and 3 (Dec 2016)

Lawyering a PERM is a good exercise in jumping to conclusions, pushing your luck, and dodging deadlines. If you don’t PERM, be ready to bolster your evidence for “extraordinary, exceptional, outstanding researcher, and/or in the National Interest.”

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Susan Bond, The Law Office of Susan Bond P.C. - Dallas, TX
Richard A. Gump Jr., The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr. P.C. - Dallas, TX

Religious Occupations and Vocations: From the R-1 Temporary Work Visa to the EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa, and Everything in Between (Dec 2016)

Hear a discussion of the basics and current adjudication trends.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Avalyn Castillo Langemeier, Foster LLP - Houston, TX
Rebecca R. Massiatte, JMO Firm, PLLC - Dallas, TX

The Past Forty Years: Reflections on the Evolution of Immigration Law and Practice (Dec 2016)

Reflecting on the past forty years, hear how the practice of immigration law developed, how immigration law and policy have evolved, and the impact of the UT Law Conference on immigration practice—and what we may see in the forty years ahead!

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Charles C. Foster, Foster LLP - Houston, TX
Harry Gee Jr., Harry Gee & Associates, PLLC - Houston, TX
Harry J. Joe, JMO Firm, PLLC - Dallas, TX
Robert A. Shivers, Shivers & Shivers - San Antonio, TX
Peter D. Williamson, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry - Houston, TX

Implications for Immigration Relief After Mathis v. US and Gomez-Perez v. Lynch (Dec 2016)

Learn how to address crimes involving moral turpitude in the Fifth Circuit and whether domestic violence is still considered a crime of moral turpitude.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Simon M. Azar-Farr, Simon Azar-Farr & Associates - San Antonio, TX
Richard S. Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX

Removal Proceedings and Relief (Dec 2016)

Break down the process of a bond hearing and master calendar hearing, learn how to get out of removal, how to get prosecutorial discretion, and what relief may be available to your client.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Amelia Ruiz Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX
Lawrence E. Rushton, The Rushton Law Firm - Bellaire, TX

HELP! Alternatives to H‑1B (Dec 2016)

There are many other ways you can HELP your clients when they don't hit the H‑1B jackpot. Learn the ins and outs and pros and cons of H­‑2B, H‑3, E‑1, E‑2, E‑3, L‑1, P‑1, 2, and 3, and other categories such as O‑1, TN… and even F‑1 and (shudder) J‑1.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Dorothee B. Mitchell, Foster LLP - Austin, TX
Linda Rose, Rose Immigration Law Firm, PLC - Nashville, TN

Documenting and Proving Family Relationships (Dec 2016)

Relationships are the foundation of all family-based immigration cases. Yet, there are cases where documentation proving the relationship is non-existent or hard to find. How do you prove those relationships?

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Jenna Carl Jabara, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. - Dallas, TX

Ask the Experts (Dec 2016)

Take advantage of an interactive opportunity to have top immigration lawyers answer your questions and provide solutions to your ethical quandaries. Please submit your questions in advance to ConferenceQA@utcle.org or on-site at the conference registration desk.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Eugene J. Flynn, Eugene J. Flynn, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Richard S. Fischer, Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law - Nacogdoches, TX
Jodi M. Goodwin, Law Office of Jodi Goodwin - Harlingen, TX
Linda Rose, Rose Immigration Law Firm, PLC - Nashville, TN
Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Mentoring and Pro Bono (Dec 2016)

Hear a brief overview of the current landscape in Texas and the needs, opportunities, and available resources for pro bono representation.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Jenna Carl Jabara, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. - Dallas, TX

Current Disciplinary Issues in Immigration Law (Dec 2016)

Explore current ethical/disciplinary problems in immigration law, including recent sanctions issued, IOLTA accounting, and advertising issues; as well as an opportunity to ask your questions during Q&A.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Robert W. Alcorn, CPA, Public Member, Supreme Court of Texas Grievance Oversight Committee - Dallas, TX
Marie A. Haspil, Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, State Bar of Texas - San Antonio, TX

Honey, I Shrank the Company: Immigration Consequences of Downsizing, Rightsizing, and Similar RIFs (Dec 2016)

No matter what euphemism or jargon they employ, employers are often forced to make changes in response to tough economic times. Explore how attorneys can help their clients safely navigate the immigration consequences of those changes, including managing the impact on nonimmigrant employees in addition to those in the immigrant process, wage issues, notifying the government of changes in employment, and strategies to assist individuals who may wish to remain in the U.S.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

James Devlin Cypert, Harry Gee & Associates, PLLC - Houston, TX
Francisco J. García, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - Galveston, TX

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) (Dec 2016)

Hear an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, including state court procedure, affirmative and removal cases, tips on how to avoid RFEs and NOIDs, and the EB-4 backlog.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Alexandra E. Minnaar, RAICES - Austin, TX
Megan Sheffield, Equal Justice Center - Austin, TX

Overcoming or Preventing Marriage Fraud Findings (Dec 2016)

Understand the consequences of marriage fraud on family-based petitions, conditional residency, and naturalization applications, and strategies on how to challenge or prevent unwarranted marriage fraud findings.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Nicolas Chavez, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
Irene G. Mugambi, Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C. - Dallas, TX

Motions to Reopen (MTRs) after Mata (Dec 2016)

Mata decided that the courts of appeals hold jurisdiction over all motions to reopen filed by aliens. Learn about the decision that overturns Ramos-Bonilla v. Mukasey, potentially providing for judicial review of BIA denials of requests for equitable tolling of the motion to reopen deadline, and affecting other jurisdictional issues including the departure bar.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Alexandre I. Afanassiev, Quan Law Group, PLLC - Houston, TX

Protecting Children (Dec 2016)

Hear dialogue on current children’s immigration issues, including a discussion of the factors that have led children and their parents to arrive in the United States, the protections that may be available to them, and the need for expanding immigration legal representation. Get an update on family detention, litigation relating to the Flores Settlement Agreement, and other immigration policies impacting accompanied and unaccompanied children.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Denise L. Gilman, The University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic - Austin, TX
Elissa Steglich, The University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic - Austin, TX

Taking Care of Ourselves: Lessons in Work–Life Balance and Self-Care (Dec 2016)

In a high-stress profession, everyone is vulnerable to destructive habits harmful to ourselves and our clients. Hear a candid discussion about the reality of risk to the profession and anecdotal tips for changing the statistics.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Jodi M. Goodwin, Law Office of Jodi Goodwin - Harlingen, TX
Yasmin Yavar, Children’s Immigration Law Academy, American Bar Association - Houston, TX

All You Need Is Love! Camaraderie and Professionalism (Dec 2016)

Be courteous, respectful, and civil—and do try to get along with your colleagues.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

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

¿Habla Cubano? (Dec 2016)

Record numbers of Cubans are arriving at the Texas border with Mexico, as renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba portend the elimination of the Cuban Adjustment Act. Discover the special forms of relief available to Cubans, including public benefits, employment authorization, family reunification opportunities, and special adjustment of status application procedures.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Vanna Slaughter, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. - Dallas, TX

Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) (Dec 2016)

Get an overview of asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention against Torture (CAT), from the perspective of a pro bono attorney. The discussion includes working with individuals in detention and how to work in a trauma-informed manner when representing asylum seekers.

Originally presented: Oct 2016 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Jeanie McClellen, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
Robert Painter, American Gateways - Austin, TX