What Triggers the Security and TRIG Bars?

What Triggers the Security and TRIG Bars?

While most practitioners associate the security and terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds (TRIG) bars with terrorism-related conduct, many clients face similar consequences stemming from U.S. criminal convictions or other activities deemed security threats. Panelists will dissect how INA §212(a)(3)(A) and related provisions are being applied, analyze the Doyle Memorandum’s prioritization framework, and offer practical strategies to advocate for clients caught in this complex legal terrain.

Featured Topics

  • Arguing around the Doyle Memorandum:
    • Priority A specifically mentions INA §212(a)(3)(B), but what about individuals who fall under INA §212(a)(3)(A)?
  • Strategies to overcome these grounds for inadmissibility and removability/relief
  • “No conviction required”: how agencies apply this standard, and approaches to counteract it and advocate for fairer assessments of your clients’ circumstances
  • Analysis of non-terrorism related triggers, focusing on the implications of U.S. criminal convictions and other activities deemed as threats to national security
  • International Criminal Police (INTERPOL) Red Notices and association with a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO): how to fight against them

AILA Membership Benefit – Access to Free Seminar Recordings (CLE Credit Available for $35)
Enjoy access to free seminar recordings as an AILA Member. AILA encourages live attendance for those wishing to ask the speaker questions. CLE credit is included with purchase for live participants.

Recordings will be available approximately two weeks after the live event date. AILA members can access these seminars, with no CLE credit, for free. Recordings are CLE eligible in most jurisdictions and a $35 administration fee is required to obtain CLE credit.

Contact us at cle@aila.org or visit AILA’s Web Seminar Recordings page for more information about receiving CLE credit for a web seminar recording.

 

Product Details
Event Date May 14, 2026
Format Web Seminar
Length 90 minutes
CLE Eligible Yes. Live attendance must be recorded in My CLE by Thursday, May 21, 2026. This deadline does not apply to the OnDemand format.
Digital Library Digital goods (MP3, PDF, ZIP, etc.) are available for download for two years after purchase.

Eligible participants can receive up to 1.8 CLE credit hours. AILA will administer CLE credit only to individuals who register and log into the web seminar. AILA cannot verify your attendance and participation in this program unless you register directly for the web seminar and use your name to log in to participate in the program. Therefore, persons who log in or listen in on the web seminar as part of a group will not be able to obtain CLE credit.

Please note that your jurisdiction may limit the amount of distance learning credit you can earn. To view details on your jurisdiction's credit restrictions and CLE requirements, visit the CLE Center.

AILA has filed for CLE and specialized credit in all jurisdictions with mandatory CLE requirements. For details about specific approvals, contact us at cle@aila.org.

  • AILA applies for accreditation upon attorneys’ request after participation for the following states: AR, DE, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MS, OR, TN and WY. Programs are typically approved.
  • Florida and Rhode Island - Attorneys must apply on their own for approval of seminars in FL and RI. Programs are typically approved.
  • The OnDemand Recording format does not qualify for CLE credit in the following jurisdictions: MO and PR. Please note that your jurisdiction may limit OnDemand credit based on the date of the original presentation. View the OnDemand Downloadable Expiration Chart for more details.

To receive CLE credit for the live event, attorneys must record web seminar attendance and the CLE code provided by May 21, 2026 via My CLE. CLE certificates will be available for download the day after the deadline reporting date.

Contact us at cle@aila.org or visit AILA’s Web Seminar Recordings page for more information about receiving CLE credit for a seminar recording. 

David Strashnoy (DL), Los Angeles, CA 

*Yliana Johansen-Mendez, Los Angeles, CA 

*José M. Marina, Pittsburgh, PA 

The speaker's/author's views do not necessarily represent the views of AILA, nor do they constitute legal advice or representation. Practice tips provided are based on the speaker's/author's experiences and the current state of the law. Please be sure to conduct legal research and analysis for your unique situation as the law changes quickly and experiences may differ from your own.