Live Event Date: 01/17/2025 | ||
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Format | Length | CLE Eligible |
Conference | 1 Day | Yes |
Cross the border and join us for the 2025 AILA Midwinter Conference and Webcast in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Sharpen your skills while warming up on the beach or by the pool. This year’s conference features an advanced level Business Track and an advanced level Removal/Family Track. Each track showcases a lunch panel dedicated to the outcome of the 2024 Election and how the results might affect immigration practitioners. Highlights of the Business Track include panels on case planning for client success; PERM processing under the Flag system; and visa solutions for early career professionals. The Removal/Family Track features sessions on trial skills and a special 90-minute panel on advanced humanitarian relief. As always, your registration includes recordings of both tracks. Come network and learn with your colleagues as we enjoy everything Puerto Vallarta has to offer!
Live Conference CLE Credit
AILA will file for CLE credits in appropriate jurisdictions. Eligible participants can receive up to 8.0 total credits, including up to 1.0 ethics credit in 50-minute jurisdictions; and up to 7.0 total credits, including up to 1.0 ethics credit in 60-minute jurisdictions. To receive CLE credit, attorneys must record sessions attended and CLE codes provided at each session via webCLE. Live attendance must be recorded by Friday, January 24, 2025. This deadline does not apply to the download format.
Please Note: CLE credits not reported on webCLE by the published deadline will be subject to an administrative late fee to cover incurred costs.
On-Demand Conference CLE Credit
AILA will administer CLE credit to individuals who download this recording through AILA Shop only; the invoice is used as a form of CLE verification.
AILA has filed for CLE and specialized credit in appropriate jurisdictions. To receive CLE credit, attorneys must record session attendance and the CLE codes provided via webCLE. Eligible participants can receive up to 16.0 total credits, including up to 1 ethics credit in 50-minute jurisdictions; and up to 13.5 total credits, including up to 1.0 ethics credit in 60-minute jurisdictions.
Please note that your jurisdiction may limit the number of OnDemand credits that may be applied in a compliance period and may also limit OnDemand credits based on the date of the original presentation. Please be aware of your state's expiration dates for OnDemand credits, please view the OnDemand Expiration Chart for more details or confirm with your state's bar association.
Not eligible for CLE credit in the following states: MO and PR.
2025 AILA Midwinter Conference and Webcast
Cross the border and join us for the 2025 AILA Midwinter Conference and Webcast in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Sharpen your skills while warming up on the beach or by the pool. This year’s conference features an advanced level Business Track and an advanced level Removal/Family Track. Each track showcases a lunch panel dedicated to the outcome of the 2024 Election and how the results might affect immigration practitioners. Highlights of the Business Track include panels on case planning for client success; PERM processing under the Flag system; and visa solutions for early career professionals. The Removal/Family Track features sessions on trial skills and a special 90-minute panel on advanced humanitarian relief. As always, your registration includes recordings of both tracks. Come network and learn with your colleagues as we enjoy everything Puerto Vallarta has to offer!
January 17, 2025
Sheraton Buganvilias Resort in
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Removal/Family Track | Business Track
Times listed on the program are Central Standard Time (GMT -6)
Note: All sessions and events are subject to change without notice.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025
Removal/Family Track
7:30 am – 4:45 pm | Registration and Exhibits |
8:00 am – 8:10 am | Opening Remarks Michael S. Vastine, Conference Program Committee Chair, Gulfport, FL |
8:10 am – 9:10 am | Parole Programs
With so many types of humanitarian parole and related programs available, it can be difficult to know which might apply to your client and how to best utilize them. Panelists will discuss key ways to use parole and related programs to obtain residence or other status for your clients.
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9:10 am – 9:30 am | Networking Break |
9:30 am – 10:30 am | Advanced Asylum and Detention
Asylum, an important piece of our immigration puzzle, remains politically volatile and legally complex, thus compounding the practical and legal challenges for client advocacy. Panelists will analyze recent executive actions, major court decisions, and impact litigation (class action and otherwise) that affect asylum seekers. They also will address possible changes of this volatile practice area following the presidential election.
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10:30 am – 10:50 am | Networking Break |
10:50 am – 11:50 am | Complex Family-Based Cases
Family-based cases are often the most reliable relief available, except when there are complications. Practitioners must recognize these complications and craft possible solutions. Panelists will discuss options available when there are criminal issues lurking and the beneficiary is in removal proceedings.
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11:50 am – 12:50 pm | Lunch (Provided) |
12:05 pm – 12:35 pm | Lunch Panel. The 2024 Presidential Election: What Can We Expect Moving Forward?
Immigration was a central issue in the most recent election. What can practitioners expect from the incoming administration? Are there any steps that can be taken now to prepare?
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12:50 pm – 2:20 pm | Last Resort: Advanced Applicability of Humanitarian Topics
Don’t let your clients miss out on eligibility based on narrow interpretations of the law! Panelists will advise on identifying solutions for the most vulnerable when other avenues for relief are closed, focusing on creative strategies and more comprehensive screening. They also will help you screen and prepare for borderline Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), T and U visas, and potential attacks on eligibility.
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2:20 pm – 2:40 pm | Networking Break |
2:40 pm – 3:40 pm | Advanced Trial Skills
Knowing that some immigration judges have over 98% denial rates may leave you feeling hopeless. Skilled advocacy is still crucial in those courtrooms as well, however, because you can’t appeal a bad trial record! Effective writing, timely objections, and being prepared are never more important than in difficult circumstances. Let our panel of experts help you get ready for that tough hearing!
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3:40 pm – 4:00 pm | Networking Break |
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Not a Frozen Concoction: Hot Litigation Topics
From the U.S. Supreme Court to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the churn of decisions in impactful litigation continues relentlessly. To “help [you] hang on,” experts will provide both a roundup and preview of cases affecting immigration, including:
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5:00 pm | Conference Concludes |
Business Track
8:00 am – 8:10 am | Opening Remarks Gayle Oshrin, Conference Program Committee Chair, New York, NY |
8:10 am – 9:10 am | Early Career Professionals: Strategizing NIV Solutions and Long-Term Green Card Goals
For new graduates, the lack of work authorization options has made it essential to start strategizing nonimmigrant visa (NIV) next steps, as well as the end goal of a green card. Panelists will discuss the pitfalls to avoid and positive choices a soon-to-be graduate can make to help build an NIV case and maximize chances for obtaining a green card.
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9:10 am – 9:30 am | Networking Break |
9:30 am – 10:30 am | The Effects of Changes to Employment Conditions on Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Situations
Practitioners are often surprised to learn of changes to the employee–employer situation after the fact, when employers/beneficiaries have failed to timely notify them of changes. Panelists will discuss how these changes affect NIV and IV cases. Can they be fixed? If so, how? And, importantly, how can these surprises be anticipated, and even prevented, before they arise?
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10:30 am – 10:50 am | Networking Break |
10:50 am – 11:50 am | The Road Between Ordinary and Extraordinary is Paved with National Interest and Exceptional Ability
What if your client is more than ordinary but not yet at the top of their field? NIW or Schedule A, Group II may be the solution! Panelists on this advanced-level session will offer a robust discussion of the NIW and Schedule A, Group II immigrant visa classifications, including best practices for case preparation, strategies for unique or unusual occupations, and tools for positioning your cases for success.
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11:50 am – 12:50 pm | Lunch (Provided) |
12:05 pm – 12:35 pm | Lunch Panel. The 2024 Presidential Election: What Can We Expect Moving Forward?
Immigration was a central issue in the most recent election. What can employment based practitioners expect from the incoming administration? Are there any steps that can be taken now to prepare?
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12:50 pm – 1:50 pm | Traversing the Complexities of the Adjustment of Status and Immigrant Visa Landscapes
To adjust or not to adjust, that is the question. The adjustment of status and immigrant visa processes each come with their own restrictions, complications, and lengthy processing times. Experts will explore the benefits and risks of each one, identify potential complications, and provide tips on addressing them.
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1:50 pm – 2:20 pm | Networking Break |
2:20 pm – 3:20 pm | Case Planning for Client Success While Complying with Ethical Standards (Ethics Credit)
Long PERM processing times coupled with retrogression in the worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 categories has changed the approach attorneys must take to case planning and ethically representing their clients. Given this changing landscape, clients will need careful case planning to ensure success. Panelists will discuss how to communicate with clients about developments that affect green card strategy, and they will cover how immigrant and nonimmigrant options can help strengthen cases for ultimate success.
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3:20 pm – 3:50 pm | Networking Break |
3:50 pm – 4:50 pm | Navigating the Ever-Evolving PERM Landscape: Challenges, Changes, and Lessons Learned
In this advanced session, panelists will delve into some of the pain points of the PERM process and review the lessons learned since the introduction of the new ETA Form 9089.
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4:50 pm | Conference Concludes |
Conference Program Committee
Removal/Family Track
Michael S. Vastine, Conference Program Committee Chair, Gulfport, FL
Assma Ali, Conference Program Committee, Ridgeland, MS
Amanda Bethea Keaveny, AILA Board of Governors, Charleston, SC
Anita Mukherji, Conference Program Committee, Oakland, CA
Andrew K. Nietor, AILA Board of Governors, San Diego, CA
Emily Robinson, Los Angeles, CA
Jonathan Willmoth, Kansas City, MO
Business Track
Gayle Oshrin, Conference Program Committee Chair, New York, NY
David W. Cook, Columbus, OH
MyungJin Lee, Boston, MA
Cora-Ann Pestaina, Paramus, NJ
LaVerne A. Ramsay, San Francisco, CA
Rita Sostrin, Woodland Hills, CA
Elissa J. Taub, Memphis, TN
Michael Orlando, AILA Associate Director of Professional Development, Washington, D.C.
Early Bird Rate (Through 12/11/24) |
Regular Rate (After 12/11/24) |
|
Members (In-Person) | ||
AILA Members | $525 | $725 |
AILA Affiliated Paralegal* | $525 | $725 |
AILA Law Student Members | $325 | $525 |
AILA Nonprofit Members | $375 | $575 |
Nonmembers (In-Person) | ||
Nonmember Attorneys | $725 | $925 |
Nonmember Law Students | $425 | $625 |
Government | $545 | $745 |
Nonprofit Attorneys | $545 | $745 |
Members (Webcast) | ||
AILA Members | $475 | $675 |
AILA Affiliated Paralegal* | $475 | $675 |
AILA Law Student Members | $275 | $475 |
AILA Nonprofit Members | $325 | $525 |
Nonmembers (Webcast) | ||
Nonmember Attorneys | $675 | $875 |
Nonmember Law Students | $375 | $575 |
Government | $495 | $695 |
Nonprofit Attorneys | $495 | $695 |
You can register for this event quickly and securely online by adding this item to your cart before the deadline and paying by credit card. We encourage you to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and register by December 11, 2024. Once you register online, the registration system will auto-generate a receipt to your paid registration.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Information and Protocols
AILA no longer requires proof of vaccination status to attend the AILA in-person conferences, meetings, or events. Mask-wearing is optional, at the discretion of each attendee. Please act responsibly and with consideration for the health and safety of others. For more information, please read the full protocols at: https://www.aila.org/conferences/covid-19-health-and-safety-information.
Tuition Assistance
Full and partial tuition assistance will be offered for AILA National Conferences and Seminars based on need and availability. Please complete the tuition assistance application for consideration.
*Paralegals
To qualify for registration, all paralegals or law office support staff must have an AILA online account and attest that they work for an AILA member attorney. AILA Affiliated Paralegals (AAPs) receive member pricing. Signing up as an AAP must be completed before checkout for a conference to take advantage of the preferential pricing. To become an AAP, go to the My AILA application and select the AILA Affiliated Paralegal membership type. Paralegals who are not AAPs pay nonmember prices.
AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct:
AILA is committed to providing a professional and productive learning environment for all participants and staff. As a result, all participants are expected to follow all stated meeting and event instructions and guidelines in order to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality. AILA members in particular are expected to adhere to the principles set forth in AILA’s civility code. The guidelines herein apply to all AILA in-person, virtual, webcast and online programming including but not limited to AILA conferences, seminars, online courses, and roundtables. All participants must comply with the following guidelines to participate in the meetings and events:
- All participants are expected to maintain a professional and civil discourse throughout AILA’s in-person/virtual meeting and event space. Participants are prohibited from using any defamatory, abusive, profane, discriminatory, harassing, threatening, and/or offensive language during the sessions or events including but not limited to Q&A, chat rooms or any activity that takes place in the virtual space.
- All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderators and/or any event staff.
- Disruption of sessions, events or any activity that takes place in-person or in virtual space is prohibited.
- Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services unless preapproved by AILA. AILA reserves the right to remove any such communications that have not been preapproved.
- Participants may not record, transmit, copy, or take screen shots of any sessions or events including but not limited to Q&A, chat rooms or any activity that takes place in the event space without prior approval from AILA. Participants who do not comply or are in violation of any of AILA’s meeting guidelines may be denied further access and participation at the discretion of event organizers. AILA is not responsible for reimbursement or refund if you are denied access or participation due to violation of AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct.
Participants can contact conferences@aila.org with any questions or concerns related to AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct.
Registration Approval
All registrations and reservations are subject to approval. Registrations and reservations received without payment will be returned. Registrations are NOT transferable and cannot be split among conference attendees. Cancellations must be received by the cancellation deadline date in writing to be eligible for the full refund (less $50 processing fee). Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for emergencies and valid medical issues submitted with supporting documentation. Any and all liability of AILA with respect to registration, reservations, cancellations, changes in the location or content of the program, and refunds is limited to a sum no greater than the registration fee paid. Under no circumstances shall AILA be liable for incidental or consequential damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, the cost of transportation or lodging. Submission of registration and payment constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions herein.
Non-member Registration
Attendance at in-person, virtual, webcast and online programming including but not limited to AILA conferences, seminars, online courses, and roundtables is solely restricted to AILA members and their employees, government employees, and nonmember attorneys. Non-attorney attendance is limited to the employees of AILA members in good standing, to HR professionals who have an AILA member reference, employees of accredited educational institutions providing support to international student and scholar services at their employing institutions, and accredited representatives under 8 CFR §292.2. AILA will reject conference registrations from persons who provide representation without authorization in violation of 8 CFR §292.1, such as for-profit "immigration consultants" and "notarios."
Registration Details
I understand that AILA will collect and store the data provided by the conference registrant to be included on the conference attendee list, and to provide me with information on AILA products and services. I may limit dissemination of information by AILA by updating communication preferences in my personal record at http://www.aila.org/myaila. I understand that AILA is based in the United States and that the European Commission does not consider United States laws to provide an adequate level of data protection. If I am a resident of a country of the European Union, I understand that my consent is the lawful basis for transfer of my personal data to the United States and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. I also understand that the transfer of my personal data to the United States in the absence of adequate protection and without safeguards deemed appropriate by the European Commission may pose certain risks, including that United States law may not provide for data processing principles, data subject rights, or enforcement of those rights analogous to those in the European Union. For a full description of AILA’s data collection and privacy policy, visit http://www.aila.org/privacy-policy.
Attendance Reporting on webCLE
You must sign in and timely submit attendance using webCLE in order to receive CLE credits. The total number of credits available for AILA events is determined by state bodies and may vary by jurisdiction.
Use of Photographic Images
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ADA Request
AILA will provide ADA assistance if requested. Please e-mail conferences@aila.org with your special needs at the time of conference registration. Assistance may not be available if an adequate notice period is not provided.
Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center
Blvd Francisco Medina Ascencio No 999
Zona Hotelera Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Mexico
Important: AILA group rate at the conference hotel has been reserved for conference participants only. Please register for the conference first before reserving your hotel. AILA will be cross checking the list and your hotel reservation maybe cancelled if you are not registered for the conference.
AILA Room Rate: $294 Single/$312 Double/$378 Triple, Deluxe Oceanview Room (Bed & Breakfast rate).
AILA room rate includes all room taxes (16% VAT & 3% TOT), buffet breakfast at the restaurant (including 16% tax & 15% service), bellman gratuity ($7 per person), and maid gratuity ($4/day). NOTE: The buffet breakfast cycle begins the next morning after the arrival date and ends with the buffet breakfast on the departure date.
To Make Reservations : call +52-322-226-0400 (extension: Hotel Reservations), email reservas@sheratonvallarta.com, or reserve online: Book Here. Please refer to Group Code: AILA25. (When reserving online, click Cancel button when you get the pop up, “Are you sure you want to delete this group?” If you click Continue, you will need to enter the group code by choosing Group Attendee from pull down menu and entering AILA25 below it).
Deposit Process: Sheraton will charge 2 nights deposit at the time of the reservation if they are made over the phone. Please note that you cannot get AILA rate through general Marriott reservations phone number. You will need to call the hotel directly at the above phone number. For email and online reservations, you will get a separate email from Multipagos Mail Order by Flap <neko@flap.com.mx> to securely pay for the Sheraton Buganvilias deposit (owned by Vallarta Internacional) through Bbva Bank (one of the most trusted banks in Mexico).
Payment Method: Payment by Mastercard or Visa is preferred, and you will be charged in USD (Tip: Use a credit card that does not charge for international transaction fee). If you need to pay by American Express, please call or email the same contacts provided above and they will send you a different link to pay by American Express. You will be charged in Pesos at the current hotel conversion rate which is 18 Pesos to $1 USD. You may get a better conversion rate if you pay with Mastercard or Visa.
Bringing Children: If you are bringing children, inform the reservation agent the # of children and their ages if you are reserving by phone or email. If you are making your reservation online, please enter the # of adults only and do not add any children. After the online reservation is completed, email reservas@sheratonvallarta.com the # of children and ages.
Modify or Cancel: You can modify or cancel your reservation by phone, email, or through the online link provided above. For online, you will see the modify/cancel your reservation at the bottom of the main page. Cancellations made after January 3, 2025, will be charged for the full stay.
Any questions about new or existing reservations: Email Paola Gonzalez at reservas@sheratonvallarta.com
The specially discounted AILA group rate has been contracted for room nights reserved from January 15, 2025 to January 19, 2025. The AILA group rate is not guaranteed for any other dates and will be based on availability.
Hotel Cut-off Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, or earlier if the room block fills up.
Hotel reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Rooms at the AILA rate will sell out before the deadline, so we advise you to make your reservation as early as possible. AILA will not be able to get additional rooms at the AILA rate after the AILA block of rooms fills up.
Other Hotels near Sheraton Buganvillas Resort & Convention Center
(NOT contracted by AILA, rates are as of November 18, 2024, subject to change based on availability)
- Buenaventura Grand Hotel, Av México 1301, 0.46 mile, 10-min walk, 2-min drive; Average rate $300
- Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel, San Salvador St. 117, 0.5 miles, 11-min walk, 2-min drive; Average rate $367
- Fiesta Americana, Francisco Medina Ascencio 2179, 1.3 miles, 28-min walk, 6-min drive; Average rate $436
In-person and webcast cancellations received by December 11, 2024, entitle registrants to a full refund (less $50 processing fee). Cancellation requests will not be accepted after December 11, 2024, but the conference materials will be made available to all registrants in their AILA Agora Digital Libraries. Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for emergencies and valid medical issues submitted with supporting documentation. All cancellations must be submitted by email to conferences@aila.org.
Notice: All registrations and reservations are subject to acceptance. Registrations and reservations received without payment will be returned. Registrations are not transferable and cannot be split among conference attendees. Any and all liability of AILA with respect to registration, reservations, cancellations, changes in the date, location or content of the program, and refunds is limited to a sum no greater than the registration fee paid. Under no circumstances shall AILA be liable for incidental or consequential damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, the cost of transportation or lodging. Submission of registration and payment constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions herein.