Rescheduled - Representing Unaccompanied Children and Families in Immigration Court (CLE)

 RESCHEDULED - if you had registered for the previous CLE and can't attend on May 20 - STMS will gladly refund you.  

CLE: Representing Unaccompanied Children and Families in Immigration Court

Presented by The St. Thomas More Society in conjunction with
Catholic Charities of Dallas and Human Rights Initiative

Registration - $25/person; 4-5 hours of CLE pending. Please register by March 2, 2015.  Registration includes a continental breakfast and coffee, available from 7:30 am.

Event Schedule: (flyer)
The Catholic Social Doctrine and Immigration (optional) 7:30 – 8:20 am
Speaker: Paul B Hunker III (St. Thomas More Legal Society Board Member) 

Introduction and Welcome – 8:30 – 8:40 am
Speaker: Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel (Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Dallas)

Overview of the Immigration Court Proceedings and Civil Court Proceedings 8:45 – 9:45 am
This session will discuss the nut and bolts of practicing before the Dallas Immigration Court and special issues and accommodation for minors. The session will also address the basics of obtaining orders of abandonment in state court proceedings, a predicate for certain forms of relief for minors in immigration court.
Speakers: Michelle Saenz-Rodriguez (Saenz-Rodriguez and Associates); Margot Merrill-Johnson (I.C.E. Assistant Chief Counsel); Alma Benavides (Board Certified Family Lawyer)

Executive Action and Prosecutorial Discretion before the Immigration Court and the Department of Homeland Security 10:00 – 10:50 PM
This session will provide a roadmap for pursuing and requesting prosecutorial discretion from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with particular emphasis given on the new standards set forth in President Obama’s Executive Action.
Speaker: Rob Dunikoski (I.C.E. Deputy Chief Counsel); George Rodriguez (Saenz-Rodriguez and Associates).

Skills for Interviewing young clients 11:00 to 11:30 am
This session will address issues and practices specific to interviewing young clients.
Speakers: Liz Cedillo-Pereira (Cedillo-Pereira & Associates); Jaime Trevino (Catholic Charities of Dallas); Melissa Weaver (Human Rights Initiative).

Relief and Protection in Immigration Court for Minors and Adults with Children 11:50 – 1:15 pm (Belo buffet lunch available)
This session will address the principle forms of relief available to minors and family members in immigration court, such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, asylum, withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture.
Speakers: Monica Lira Bravo (Lira Bravo Law Firm); Paul Zoltan (Law Office of Paul Zoltan); Jiroko Lopez (Schwamkrug, Freshwater & Lopez); Irene Mugambi (Law Offices of Irene G. Mugambi)