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    Events, Webinars & CLE Programs

     

    Recent Events and CLE

    Activate Diversity - Insights into Border Policies and Legal Advocacy

    October 30, 2024 | This insightful webinar was part of the Activate Diversity series, where we explore the latest border policies, updates on the asylum ban, and the critical role of legal advocates. This session provided a general overview of the challenges faced by immigrants and asylum seekers, highlighting the importance of legal support in navigating these complex issues. These issues extend beyond the border, impacting communities across the nation and reaching into interior states. Attendees left with actionable knowledge and a better understanding of border policies and with resources for volunteering and supporting legal advocacy efforts.

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    Chevron Sleeps with the Fishes: Immigration, Environmental Law, and Much More After Loper Bright

    July 18, 2024 | The U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned the longstanding Chevron decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. Overturning 40 years of precedent, the future of regulatory practice before countless government agencies, and the certainty of their interpretations, is unclear. Our webinar, co-sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, discussed the implications of the case on administrative law, with a specific focus on its ramifications for environmental and immigration attorneys. Does the death of Chevron mean disaster or potential opportunity?

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    Immigration Enforcement Mechanisms at the U.S. Southwest Border: The Only Constant is Change

    Webinar December 6, 2023 | The ABA Commission on Immigration and the ABA Section of the Civil Rights and Social Justice hosted a webinar to offer up-to-date information on enforcement mechanisms at the southwest border including the implementation of the new, abbreviated removal process dubbed Circumvention of Lawful Pathways. Immigration enforcement at the U.S. southwest border has been an ongoing focal point for evolving policy and public discourse, but the manner in which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implements its enforcement actions at the border is often opaque.

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    ABA CILA & COI Pro Bono Symposium

    Webinar September 29, 2023 | The ABA’s Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) & Commission on Immigration (COI) invite you to attend our first Pro Bono Symposium! We seek to facilitate learning about pro bono program management and to feature advocates working in pro bono programs across the nation. Presenters will share their experience and expertise in pro bono programs working with volunteers and/or pro bono attorneys.

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    Immigration Law Myths and Realities: An Overview of the Limited Pathways to Legal Status in the U.S.

    Webinar June 15, 2023 | This webinar is designed to offer reliable information surrounding lawful pathways to legal status in the US. There are pathways to legal status through employment, family reunification, humanitarian protection, and more, but many people who desire to immigrate or adjust to lawful status simply do not qualify.

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    Employment Authorization for Asylum-Seekers in Removal Proceedings

    Webinar May 16, 2023 |An informative webinar on how to help your clients apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while seeking asylum in removal proceedings. Panelists discussed common issues impacting (c)(8) EADs, including the asylum clock and prosecutorial discretion.

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    Citizens of Nowhere Representing Stateless Clients in Immigration Court

    Webinar April 19, 2023 | As “citizens of nowhere,” stateless people face unique obstacles that may present novel challenges, even to experienced immigration lawyers. This training discusses particular issues faced by stateless people and offers best practices on how to represent stateless individuals seeking immigration relief.

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    Understanding Statelessness

    Webinar March 24, 2023 | This presentation and conversation discussed the causes of statelessness, the obstacles faced by stateless people, the advocacy strategy to end statelessness, and what the legal community can do to close the education and representation gap.

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    Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in Removal Proceedings

    Webinar March 17, 2023 | This virtual training discussed strategies to consider when representing TPS-eligible Haitians in removal proceedings.

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    Common Forms of Immigration Relief for Family Groups and How to Screen for Them

    Webinar February 3, 2023 | In this virtual training, expert immigration attorneys provide an overview of common forms of immigration relief for family groups facing removal or deportation and share successful strategies in screening family group clients.

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    What to Expect for Immigration from the 118th Congress: A Bipartisan Conversation with Former Congressional Staffers

    Webinar December 9, 2022 | After two years of Democratic control of both the legislative and executive branches, the country is moving towards a divided government as the Republicans have regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives. House Republicans have promised to increase immigration oversight and possibly pursue the impeachment of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. But even as immigration issues become an increasingly visible flashpoint, is it possible to pass any meaningful immigration legislation in the 118th Congress? Or will immigration be used as a wedge issue between both political parties?

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    Engaging Country Conditions Experts in Asylum Cases

    Webinar December 7, 2022 | The presentation aims to deliver tailored guidance for advocates working on asylum cases or considering taking on an asylum case.

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    Immigration Pro Bono: You Don’t Need to Know It All on Day One

    Webinar November 10, 2022 | The presentation aims to deliver tailored guidance for advocates considering immigration cases or those who have current immigration cases and are looking for additional resources and guidance.

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    Motions to Reopen in Immigration Court

    Webinar September 27, 2022 | The presentation aims to deliver tailored guidance for advocates who may be encountering cases where there is already a final decision, but new information provides a reason for the immigration judge to revisit the case.

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    Accelerated Timelines: Evidence Gathering & Making Your Case with Expert for Cases on the Dedicated Docket

    Webinar August 17, 2022 | The presentation aims to deliver tailored guidance for advocates navigating evidence gathering and assistance from experts in the comparatively short timeline provided to dedicated docket cases

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    The 3 Rs of Pro Bono Management: Recruiting, Retaining, and Recognizing Volunteer Attorneys

    Webinar July 13, 2022 | In the third webinar of our Pro Bono Best Practices Series, learn effective strategies to recruit pro bono attorneys and retain your volunteers by valuing and supporting them.

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    The Cuban Adjustment Act: Overview of Relief and Common Issues

    Webinar July 15, 2022 | The presentation provides an overview of the Cuban Adjustment Act, including eligibility, forms, and the application process.

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    Making a Virtual Connection: Ensuring an Open and Productive Attorney/Client Relationship While Remote

    May 25, 2022 Webinar | The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Immigration invites you to a complimentary training providing an overview of best practices for connecting with clients in a remote setting. This is a presentation geared toward attorneys interested in taking a remote pro bono immigration case, practitioners with a remote pro bono case, and practitioners new to immigration law working remotely.

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    The Lifeguard is Drowning: Identifying and Combating Burnout and Secondary Trauma in Asylum Practitioners

    Webinar April 7, 2022 | Asylum attorneys have been facing a longstanding mental health crisis. In 2020, Professors Lindsay Harris and Hillary Mellinger surveyed over 700 immigration attorneys and found that asylum attorneys displayed symptoms of burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) at rates higher than immigration judges, social workers, hospital doctors, nurses, and prison wardens. This panel seeks to build upon the study to facilitate a normative shift away from old mental health paradigms to a culture of openly discussing burnout and secondary trauma within law school settings, non-profits, government agencies, and law firms.

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    Mechanics of Immigration Court Part 3: The Individual Calendar/Merits Hearing

    March 17, 2022 Webinar | Join the ABA Commission on Immigration for the third session in our three-part series on the Mechanics of Immigration Court. This series covers the nuts and bolts of how to practice in immigration court. Part 3 focuses on the Individual Hearing. Topics include tips and strategies for prepare for the hearing, how to advocate with OPLA and conduct prehearing discussions, best practices for Webex and Open Voice hearings, a roadmap of how to conduct an individual hearing, and how to preserve the record for appeal. Panelists include expert immigration attorneys and a former immigration judge. This webinar is designed for pro bono attorneys and immigration practitioners who are new to immigration law, or for anyone who wants to brush up on their practical skills.

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    Asylum for Afghans 202: Anatomy of the Asylum Interview

    March 15, 2022 Webinar | Join HIAS and the ABA Commission on Immigration for the final webinar in a series of presentations for attorneys and accredited representatives representing Afghan Parolees seeking asylum. In this advanced asylum training, we will discuss best practices for how to prepare for the asylum interview, including what steps to take as an attorney, and how to conduct effective practice interviews with your client.

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    Asylum for Afghans 201: Bars to Asylum and Common Concerns

    March 4 Webinar | Join HIAS and the ABA Commission on Immigration for the third webinar in a series of presentations for attorneys and accredited representatives representing Afghan Parolees seeking asylum. In this advanced asylum training, we will address issues that commonly arise in asylum cases filed by members of the Afghan community, including bars to asylum that may be relevant for Afghans who lived under Taliban rule, as well as other terrorism-related concerns. You will also hear about opportunities to assist these families through the partnership between HIAS and the ABA Commission on Immigration.

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    Representing Children and Families in Immigration Court

    March 3, 2022 Webinar | The ABA Commission on Immigration and the ABA Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) invite you to a complimentary training providing an overview of working with children and families in immigration cases. This is a presentation geared toward attorneys interested in taking on a pro bono immigration case, practitioners with a pro bono case, and practitioners new to immigration law.

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    Operation Lone Star: Texas’s Costly Attempt to Enforce Federal Immigration Law

    February 24, 2022 Webinar | Almost one year ago, on March 6, 2021, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced the creation of ‘Operation Lone Star,’ his self-proclaimed “catch and jail” border security initiative. Hear from attorneys defending immigrants in state criminal proceedings and others who are working to challenge this controversial initiative to punish and deter migrants at the southern border.

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    Mechanics of Immigration Court Part 2: Corroboration, Preparing Witnesses, and Working with Experts

    February 22, 2022 Webinar | Part 2 explores corroboration, preparing witnesses, and working with experts. Topics to be covered include gathering evidence and the REAL ID act, how to put together country conditions reports, preparing credible witnesses, how to use experts, and planning ahead to prepare for the individual hearing. This webinar is designed for pro bono attorneys and immigration practitioners who are new to immigration law, or for anyone who wants to brush up on their practical skills.

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    Mechanics of Immigration Court Part I: The Master Calendar Hearing and Filing Applications for Relief with Immigration Court

    February 10, 2022 Webinar | Join the ABA Commission on Immigration for a 3-part series on the Mechanics of Immigration Court. This series covers the nuts and bolts of how to practice in immigration court. Part I takes an in depth look at the Master Calendar Hearing and Filing Applications for Relief with Immigration Court. Topics covered include reviewing the Notice to Appear, getting your client’s court file, how to prepare for the initial Master Calendar Hearing and what to expect, best practices for appearing via Webex and Open Voice, and a brief overview of common forms of relief and prosecutorial discretion. This webinar is designed for pro bono attorneys and immigration practitioners who are new to immigration law, or for anyone who wants to brush up on their practical skills.

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    Cultural Humility and Working with Afghan Clients

    Webinar Feb 9, 2022 | Join HIAS and the ABA Commission on Immigration for the second webinar in a series of presentations for attorneys and accredited representatives representing Afghan Parolees seeking asylum. This training will cover Cultural Humility and Working with Afghan Clients. Bringing cultural awareness to our work is a vital part of competently representing our clients. We will discuss considerations that attorneys should keep in mind when working with Afghan asylum seekers and how to maintain a sense of humility in this work, including a more in depth look at the specific needs and cultural considerations for Afghan asylum seekers.

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    Pro Bono Best Practices Part 2: Crafting Bite-Sized Pro Bono Opportunities for Immigration Services

    Webinar February 2, 2022 | With the pandemic continuing to affect legal services and pro bono delivery, programs are adopting projects that can accommodate busy and overwhelmed volunteers while still serving the needs of clients. Learn from experienced pro bono providers on crafting projects to offer smaller, bite-sized pro bono opportunities to volunteers that serve clients in need of immigration legal services.

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    Asylum 101 For Representing Afghan Parolees

    Webinar January 12, 2022 | Since the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden Administration reports that 83,000 Afghans have arrived in the US. Many families, fleeing persecution in Afghanistan will qualify for asylum and Pro Bono representation is critical in meeting this need. This webinar is the first in a series of presentations for attorneys and accredited representatives representing Afghan Parolees seeking asylum.

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    Past Events & CLE

    Follow the link to an archive of past events and CLE sponsored by the Commission on Immigration. The page includes embedded videos, along with relevant information and course materials.

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