Families in Removal Proceedings: How to Advocate in the Face of Rapid Timelines and Access to Counsel Barriers
| Live Event Date: 04/04/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Format | Length | CLE Eligible |
| Web Seminar | 90 min. | No |
Over the last year, the Biden Administration has implemented several policies to deter migrants from coming to the United States outside of a limited number of pathways. These policies include a new ban on eligibility for asylum and enhanced expedited processes to more quickly remove asylum seekers. Our panel of experts will discuss these new policies, how to prepare for their rapid timelines, and best practices to advocate for your client.
Featured Topics:
- Expedited removal and how it’s been expanded under the Biden Administration: a primer
- The Family Expedited Removal Program (FERM): who enrolls, where it’s operating, due process challenges caused by the tight timeline and geographic scope, and how to represent families
- The Asylum Merits Interview (AMI) process
- What does it mean for a family to be subject to AMI?
- How to secure permanent protection
- Advocating for individuals (and families) impacted by forced separation from immediate relatives
AILA Membership Benefit – Access to Free Seminar Recordings
Enjoy access to free seminar recordings (from October 2020–present) as an AILA Member. AILA encourages live attendance for those wishing to ask the speaker questions. Recordings will be available approximately two weeks after the live event date. AILA members can access these seminars for free.
Alla K. Holmes (DL), Tallahassee, FL
Alla K. Holmes is the Program Manager for Learning & Development at Acacia Center for Justice. Prior to joining Acacia, Ms. Holmes served as the Program Manager for the Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) and the Family Group Legal Orientation Program (FGLOP) at the Vera Institute of Justice where she provided technical assistance support to nonprofit legal staff nationwide. Ms. Holmes previously trained and mentored pro bono attorneys in her roles at ABA’s Children’s Immigration Law Academy and Kids in Need of Defense. Ms. Holmes received her JD from the University of Michigan Law School (2006).
Jovita A. Salas, Orlando, FL
Jovita Salas is the Supervising Attorney of the Asylum Project at Americans for Immigrant Justice, where she leads the organization’s provision of legal services to asylum seeking family units enrolled in asylum processing programs—including the Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) process, during their credible fear interviews. She holds a J.D. from Barry University—Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and a B.S. in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida.
Cindy S. Woods, Miami, FL
Cindy S. Woods serves as National Policy Counsel with Americans for Immigrant Justice. Prior to joining AI Justice, Ms. Woods represented asylum seekers in family detention and individuals subject to the Remain in Mexico Program as an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Ms. Woods received her JD from the Georgetown University Law Center (2015).
Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock, AILA Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel, Washington, D.C.