[ Event ]
Duane Morris Partner Denyse Sabagh to Speak at ALI-ABA Immigration Law Seminar
May 8, 2008 | Washington, D.C.
| The Madison Hotel
Duane Morris partner Denyse Sabagh will be a speaker at the ALI-ABA seminar "Immigration Law: Basics and More," to be held on May 8-9, 2008, at the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ms. Sabagh's presentation, "Completing the Permanent Residence Process," will take place at 9 a.m. on May 9 by video webcast and will include information on adjustment of status, including travel, work authorization, consular processing, admissibility and waivers.
About the Seminar
Scope and Purpose
This course will teach you:
- How to review employment eligibility, properly complete and maintain I-9 records, and respond to ICE compliance audits
- How to evaluate liability for unlawful employment and unfair hiring practices
- How to identify appropriate visas for visitors, students, and trainees
- How to obtain temporary work visas and permanent residence for professionals and other workers
- How to determine immigration options on the basis of family relationships, including the impact of marriage and divorce
- How to identify removal liability and defend against deportation
- How to acquire U.S. citizenship
This annual course of study, comprising 12 full hours of instruction, examines the nuts and bolts of immigration law practice, making sense of the "big picture" while also exploring recent developments and novel issues. This unique course builds on clear, concise lectures by experts in the field, with "hands-on" review of the concepts, addressed through interactive review of topical hypotheticals in an innovative roundtable format with the panelists.
The course is intended for in-house lawyers, practitioners in other areas of law, human resources professionals, and others seeking to become conversant with the field. It is designed both to provide basic knowledge to the uninitiated and to expand the knowledge of those with some experience in the area. After an introduction of the framework for the practice, including general concepts and a review of the agencies and processes governed by the immigration laws, seasoned practitioners provide guidance on obtaining appropriate visas for visitors, students, trainees, and professionals, as well as solutions for obtaining permanent residence for eligible workers. This discussion also addresses the problems of employers and non-immigrant workers face in trying to qualify for oversubscribed visa programs such as those for H-1B professionals and H-2B peak or seasonal workers.
Immigration as it relates to family-based cases also is reviewed, including the immigration implications of marriage and divorce and children's issues. The course looks at the intersection of immigration and criminal law - defending immigrants in deportation proceedings and obtaining relief from removal. The faculty also covers the requirements, risks, and procedures involved in seeking U.S. citizenship.
Each aspect of the course includes attention to ethical considerations. Ample time has been provided for review of topical hypotheticals, as well as question-and-answer periods to further explain and reinforce the information provided.
Why Attend?
For several years, immigration issues have been screaming for attention on front pages and evening newscasts - Congressional action (or inaction), immigration "raids" on workplaces, border fences, "amnesty," state and local enforcement, driver's licenses and public education for undocumented aliens, and the like.
The essence of immigration law practice, however, lies behind the headlines, and is far more likely to involve working with an official from the Labor, Homeland Security, or State Department than confronting a border patrol officer.
Understanding the complexities of the current system, including its shortcomings and the range of possibilities presented by potential solutions, is vital if one is to advise and respond to both employers' and immigrant' interests.
In addition, immigration law and policy continue to penetrate other areas of the law. Practitioners in employment law, business law, family law, criminal law, and many other areas must have a basic understanding of immigration law issues. In an increasingly global personnel market, U.S. companies will continue to utilize the skills of foreign nationals, and hiring and firing decisions increasingly have immigration implications. Mergers and acquisitions can disrupt the work status of foreign national employees. Marriage, divorce, and other changes in personal status also can have significant immigration consequences.
In short, understanding immigration basics is an important first step in the development of sound business and human resources strategy.
For more information or to register online, please visit the ALI-ABA website.