Advocacy in Children's Asylum Matters training in August, 2017, put on by NITA and CILA.
3rd Annual Texas Champions for Immigrant Youth Symposium - May 20 - 21, 2021
FROM UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN TO YOUNG ADULTS: MY CLIENT IS IN JAIL, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Alexandria Gomez, St. Francis Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
Rome Gonsoulin, St. Francis Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
A best practices presentation with tips and hints on representation of Unaccompanied Children under 18 years of age who were jailed after their release from ORR custody and Young Adults in TDCJ custody over 18 years old who were jailed after release from ORR custody with pending immigration cases. Cabrini staff discusses the several options in each case depending on the severity of the crime as well as how to proceed if there is a conviction from their own experience with clients detained in TDCJ custody, with criminal charges by HPD and jailed. This training aids in navigating the complexities of continuing representation in immigration cases while clients are incarcerated or put back into ORR custody (if under 18).
This topic focuses on the compassion and courage needed while representing Young Adults and Unaccompanied Children who are incarcerated.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
THE NEW ADVOCACY LANDSCAPE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY
Jennifer Nagda, Young Center
Jason Boyd, KIND
The Young Center and KIND collaborate to discuss the policy challenges around the court system, Title 42 and the narrowing of protections for minors in the US as well as what Children’s Advocates should prioritize in order to deliver the best outcome for their clients. With a Child-Centered Paradigm for evaluating client’s best interest, Jennifer and Jason examine reunification, asylum and other options available for unaccompanied children and their advocates to consider. Lastly, they review the current legislative priorities and opportunities for support.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
LITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR IMPROPER AGE REDETERMINATION CASES
Belia Peña, ProBAR
Natalie Cadwalader-Schultheis, ProBAR
Hannah Gordon, Legal Fellow, ProBAR
Pedro Spivakovsky-Gonzalez, ProBAR
ProBAR discusses the use of federal litigation in advancing the goals of clients in immigration detention. The presentation focuses on using a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, a petition for a writ of mandamus, and claims under the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”). Drawing on examples from recent cases at ProBAR, Belia, Natalie, Hannah and Pedro discuss what even those who are new to federal court should include in their toolkit: multi-pronged approach to zealous advocacy on behalf of our clients.
Additionally, this presentation includes an exploration of advocacy strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including language and other communication issues and the challenges of a remote work environment.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS: WHAT WENT RIGHT (AND WRONG!) IN A FAMILY-BASED ASYLUM CASE
Susan Watson, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) Rebecca Sheff, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) Abby Anna Batko-Taylor, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)
A fantastic presentation by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in which Susan, Rebecca and Abby examine their approach to appealing an asylum case to the 5th Circuit; what they did wrong, how they researched, and other strategies to find success for clients.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
LEGAL SERVICES FOR TENDER-AGE CHILDREN AND BEST PRACTICES WHEN PROVIDING SERVICES REMOTELY
Charlotte Weiss, ProBAR Xochilth Roman, ProBAR Andres Cervantes, ProBAR
ProBAR’s Unaccompanied Children Specialists provide an animated and colorful presentation on best practices for online Know-Your-Rights presentations to unaccompanied children in shelters or other temporary housing
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
OUR NEEDS MATTER TOO: FOSTERING A TEAM CULTURE OF SELF-CARE AND WELLNESS
Victoria Mora, RAICES Ashley Powell, RAICES Will Chambers, RAICES
RAICES together with Psychologist Ashley Powell give an overview of mental health challenges faced by advocates who work with clients/communities in crisis both pre-COVID and during COVID. They discuss the effects on practitioners mental and physical health, including burnout and prolonged stress, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, mood symptoms; anxiety; substance use; etc., as well as strategies for stress and anxiety management, mindfulness, and healing, such as self-care and what that means, care to the caregiver, community care, why it’s important and fostering resilience
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 0.25 of ethics CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
WHAT A FAMILY COURT CANNOT DO FOR SIJ PURPOSES
Mary Khano Foteh, Law Office of Mary Khano Foteh, P.C. Hon. Ryan Salfiti, Associate Judge, 308th Family Court, Harris County
Attorney Mary Khano and Judge Ryan Salfiti provide an in-depth guide of what family courts are looking for on SIJ Suite Affecting the Parent Child Relationship in family court. Focusing on Title 5 of the Texas Family Code, this presentation answers attorney’s questions about filing and presenting a winning SIJ case from the perspective of a Harris County, Texas family court judge.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
IDENTIFYING AND FILING T VISA CLAIMS FOR YOUTH CLIENTS: THE FLAGS YOU MAY BE MISSING
Lauren Fisher Flores, Tahirih Justice Center Yanira Peraza, Refugee Services of Texas
Tahirih Justice Center and Refugee Services of Texas presented a practical guide on screening, reporting, developing a client declaration, finding supporting documents, and building a cover letter for survivors of human trafficking. Lauren and Yanira explain the benefits of filing T Visas and provide interdisciplinary advice on working with trafficking survivors. The purpose being to build competency and creativity of the advocate (in broadening their forms of relief), prioritizing compassion in screening and reporting, and to help empower clients in reporting and telling their story.
This training has been approved by the State Bar of Texas for 1.00 participatory hour of CLE credit until 4/20/2022. Please fill out this survey upon completion of the webinar to receive information on CLE credit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
2020 Virtual UC Champions Symposium - June 5, 2020
UCS AND ADULT DETENTION: ROADBLOCKS, REMEDIES AND REMOVALS
Rome Gonsoulin, Senior Attorney, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Francis Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
Alexandria Gomez, Senior Attorney, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Francis Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
Either by turning 18 in ORR custody or being appended by ICE, UC clients can end up in adult ICE detention. How can you prepare clients beforehand? How do you navigate representing a detained young adult? This presentation includes how to talk to detained UC about aging out; communication and visitation with clients in ICE facilities; roadblocks to bond redetermination for UCs; and the effects of ICE detention on UC status and available remedies.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
AGE OUTS AND FEDERAL LITIGATION STRATEGIES: OUR EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING UCS AGING OUT OF ORR CUSTODY
Miriam Aguayo,Senior Staff Attorney, ProBAR
Angel Olivo-Garcia, Senior Staff Attorney, ProBAR
Belia Peña, Pro Bono Counsel, ProBAR
ProBAR shares experiences representing UCs aging out from ORR custody in south Texas. Includes communication with the shelter staff for post 18 plans; communication with the Field Office Juvenile Coordinator; and release requests. Also details ProBAR's experiences with a Petition for Writ of Habeas and TRO/Preliminary Injunction filed with the federal court and requesting ROR/Bond with the adult deportation officer and Immigration Judge.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
CONTROLLING THE CHAOS: HOW ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS CAN MAKE CASE MANAGEMENT LESS HECTIC
Emily Rose Glickman,Legal Assistant, RAICES – Austin
Victoria Mora, Senior Staff Attorney, RAICES – Austin
This training will review case management systems that will improve case processing and office teamwork. Including: standardizing a naming system for client documents; developing an Initial Processing Manual and Map which outline intakes and meetings to be completed with all new clients; implementing an SIJ Processing Map which lays out roles and responsibilities for Legal Assistant - Attorney teams; institutionalizing feedback; creating buy-in; holding mandatory trainings to ensure no staff is left behind and accountability; and using technology for clearer and more inclusive channels of communication between staff members.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
PRO SE CHILDREN IN DETENTION: HOW TO BALANCE BEING FRIEND OF THE COURT WHILE PRESERVING THE RECORD
Diana Tafur, Supervising Attorney, RAICES - San Antonio
Carrie Thompson, Managing Attorney, RAICES - Corpus Christi
This administration has cut protections for unaccompanied children, including severely restricting the role the role of friends of court in immigration proceedings. The presentation will define what is a ""friend of court"" under these limitations, empower advocates to go on the record even when appearing as friend of court and inform advocates on the hurdles they will experience from judges. In some cases this will mean preparing the child to appear pro se, noting issues for the record, or entering an E-28. But the training will also explore the possibility of filing limited appearances for children in reunification process who will be released and are not mandatory representation cases.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
ADVOCATING AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF UCS AFFECTED BY MPP
Belia Peña, Senior Staff Attorney, ProBAR
Miriam Aguayo, Senior Staff Attorney, ProBAR
Laura Peña, Pro Bono Counsel, ProBAR
Discussing the lessons ProBAR learned from representing UACs previously placed in MPP. Including advocacy in front of the immigration courts with motions to reopen, reconsider, sever, and change venue as well as appeals before the BIA of removal orders ordered while children were in MPP based on the merits or in absentia. This topic will also touch on different strategies to obtaining a complete file in preparation of their representation before the IC and/or BIA as well as emergency stay requests and strategies to advocate against their untimely removal. The presentation will include a discussion our communication with the shelter staff and ICE.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
WINNING IN THE 5TH CIRCUIT: BUILDING AN ASYLUM CASE FROM THE GROUND UP
Nancy Jean Kelly, Co-Managing Director, Harvard Immigration Refugee Clinic at Greater Boston Legal Services
John Willshire Carrera, Co-Managing Director, Harvard Immigration Refugee Clinic at Greater Boston Legal Services
This presentation will offer practical advice on creating a strong record for appellate review, speak about their work on gender/children/indigenous claims, as well as speak about their successes in building cases from the ground up that have culminated in favorable rulings from the Fifth and First Circuit Courts of Appeals, including these key opinions:De Pena Panigua v. Barr (April, 2020) - First Circuit; Inestroza-Antonelli v. Barr (April, 2020) - Fifth Circuit; Ordonez-Quino v. Holder (July, 2014) - First Circuit; and Mejilla v. Romero (August, 2010) - First Circuit.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
Representing Children from the Front Lines - December 14, 2018
HOW TO BE AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM PLAYER
Paola Guzman, MSW
Nasim Hoomanrad, MSW
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC)
Description: Learn about the role that social work plays in your children's immigration practice and the ethnical and legal considerations for working in a strong interdisciplinary team.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
PRESERVING A STRONG SIJ RECORD
Dalia Castillo-Granados, Director
Victoria Mora, Senior Staff Attorney
Chloe Walker, Senior Staff Attorney
American Bar Association's Children's Immigration Law Academy (ABA CILA)
Description: CILA staff will detail how to put forth a strong SIJ case from state court through adjudication at USCIS including a demonstration of a prove-up hearing in state-court.
Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network
Special Issues in Representing Unaccompanied Children - September 16, 2016
KEY FEDERAL STATUTES & LITIGATION
Key Federal Statutes & Litigation: A close‐up review of key federal statutes, the Flores settlement agreement, Perez‐Olano litigation, and other key federal litigation impacting the rights of unaccompanied children. Speaker: Dalia Castillo‐Granados, CILA Produced for the Vera Unaccompanied Children Network.