2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast

Description Program CLE Credit Registration & Pricing Hotel/Airline Information Cancellation Policy

Live Event Date: 03/21/2024 - 03/22/2024
Format	Length	CLE Eligible
Conference	2 Days	Yes

Join us for the 2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast to get an insider’s view of what is happening at the government agencies. This conference provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from agency leadership and representatives of the Biden Administration. Agency officials and AILA liaison committees will discuss the latest regulatory and policy initiatives affecting your practice and clients. You’ll also learn about current trends, issues in agency adjudications, and potential future changes. Don’t miss it!

Viewing Options: On Thursday and Friday, March 21 and 22, 2024, faculty members will present live sessions at the Grand Hyatt Washington. Thursday sessions can be attended in-person or via recording after the conference. Please note that a live webcast is not available for Thursday’s sessions, but Thursday’s session recordings will be included for webcast participants to access after the conference. Friday sessions can be attended in-person, via live webcast, and recording from the convenience of your home or office. All registrants will be given a link to the entire set of conference recordings, so any sessions missed (particularly helpful for our West Coast participants given the time difference) can be revisited later.

All in-person/virtual webcast registrants receive:

Digital handbook
Access to virtual webcast
Conference recordings (CLE eligible in most jurisdictions)

The AILA Law Journal Symposium, organized under the auspices of AILA and the AILA Law Journal, will be held in conjunction with the 2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast in Washington, D.C. The topic of the symposium is “Shaping Immigration Policy through the Federal Courts.” The Symposium will take place on March 21, 2024, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (ET) at the Grand Hyatt Washington. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Separate registration is required.

If you are attending AILA's 2024 National Day of Action (NDA), please note that it will also be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, and some portions of the Spring Conference may overlap with the NDA schedules.

2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference and Webcast: Government Relations Update

Viewing Options: On Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, 2024, faculty members will present live sessions at the Grand Hyatt Washington. Thursday sessions can be attended in person or via recording after the conference. Please note that a live webcast is not available for Thursday’s sessions, but Thursday’s session recordings will be included for webcast participants to access after the conference. Friday sessions can be attended in person or via live webcast. Recordings of the Friday sessions will also be available for you to view from the convenience of your home or office after the conference. All registrants will be given a link to the entire set of conference recordings, so any sessions missed can be revisited later (particularly helpful for our West Coast participants given the time difference).

AILA Law Journal Symposium: Before the conference begins, the AILA Law Journal will host its first-ever Symposium, “Shaping Immigration Policy through the Federal Courts.” Registration for the Symposium is free, but separate registration is required. Space is limited so reserve your spot now.

Note: AILA’s 2024 National Day of Action (NDA) also will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024. As a result, some portions of the conference may overlap with NDA schedules. Separate registration for NDA is required.

March 21-22, 2024
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H St. NW
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Friday, March 22, 2024

Times listed on the program are Eastern Time

Note: All sessions and events are subject to change without notice.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

2:00 pm – 5:30 pm	Registration and Exhibits
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Open Forum Docket management initiatives Biometrics conundrums Webex versus in-person hearings DHS non-appearance at prehearing conferences and merits hearings Faculty Amanda Bethea Keaveny (DL), AILA Board of Governors/EOIR Liaison Committee Chair, Charleston, SC Eliana C. Nader, EOIR Liaison Committee Vice Chair, Boston, MA David L. Neal, Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Falls Church, VA Mary Cheng, Deputy Director, Office of the Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Falls Church, VA Sheila McNulty, Chief Immigration Judge, Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, Falls Church, VA
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm	Networking Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm	Verification and Documentation Open Forum Apple, Facebook, and tension between PERM and DOJ’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) Technology is not always your friend: discrimination and cautionary tales E-Verify Next Gen: what is happening and why it’s important I-9 documentation explosion: what employers need to know Faculty Amy L. Peck (DL), AILA Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee Chair, Omaha, NE Kimberley Best Robidoux, AILA Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee Vice Chair, San Diego, CA Alberto Ruisanchez, Chief, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Amy Wheelock, Chief, Verification Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Camp Springs, MD Mariluz Hogan, Acting Chief, Document, Benefit, and Labor Exploitation Unit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Washington, D.C.
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm	Immigrants List Civic Action Keynote and Reception Join ILCA as they celebrate members of Congress who champion pro-immigration reform. Honorees include: Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Rep. Jamie Raskin. There will also be a special appearance by Rep. Delia Ramirez. Spring Conference and National Day of Action attendees receive complimentary registration. Register here! (In-person participation only)

Back to Top | Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Friday, March 22, 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024

7:30 am – 5:45 pm	Registration and Exhibits
8:00 am – 9:10 am	Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Open Forum Insight from the Clerk’s Office and “Access EOIR Initiatives” Facilitating stays of removal and communicating with the Board Oral argument, publication, certification, and post-federal court procedures Best practices for motions and briefs with the Board Faculty Sui Chung (DL), AILA Board of Governors/ICE Liaison Committee, Miami, FL Annelise Maia Jatoba de Araujo, AILA Removal Defense Steering Committee Chair/EOIR Liaison Committee, Boston, MA Charles Adkins-Blanch, Deputy Chief Appellate Immigration Judge, Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Executive Office for Immigration Review, Falls Church, VA Garry Malphrus, Deputy Chief Appellate Immigration Judge, Board of Immigration Appeals, (BIA), Executive Office for Immigration Review, Falls Church, VA Donna Carr, Chief Clerk, Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Executive Office for Immigration Review, Falls Church, VA
9:10 am – 9:40 am	Networking Break
9:40 am – 10:50 am	U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Open Forum Updates on the current application of prosecutorial discretion by the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) Enforcement and Removal Operations’ (ERO’s) exercise of discretion regarding stays of removal and final orders of removal Updates on the Alternatives to Detention program Pretrial conferences and other opportunities to collaborate to reduce the EOIR backlog Faculty Amy Bittner (DL), AILA ICE Liaison Committee Vice Chair, Columbus, OH Sarah Weston Hayes Owings, AILA ICE Liaison Committee, Atlanta, GA Juan L. Acosta, Assistant Director, ERO Field Operations, Washington, D.C. Kenneth Padilla, Acting Deputy Principal Legal Advisor, Washington, D.C. Scott Shuchart, Counselor to the Director, Washington, D.C. Claire Trickler-McNulty, Assistant Director, Office of Immigration Program Evaluation, Washington, D.C. Michael Falcone, Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for Field Legal Operations, Washington, D.C .
10:50 am – 11:20 am	Networking Break
11:20 am – 12:30 pm	U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Open Forum Program and personnel updates Latest developments on the “new” ETA Form 9089 Technology updates Post-filing changes Best practices Faculty Vincent W. Lau (DL), AILA DOL Liaison Committee Chair, Boston, MA Amy Novak, DOL Liaison Committee Vice Chair (H-2A/H-2B), Vail, CO Bob White, AILA DOL Liaison Committee Vice Chair (H-1B/PERM), Schaumburg, IL Brian Testa, Director, Division of Policy and Regulation, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Washington, D.C Lindsey Baldwin, Director, National Prevailing Wage Center, Washington, D.C.
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm	Lunch (Provided)
1:00 pm – 2:10 pm	U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) HQ (Benefits Policy) Open Forum Hot Topics USCIS technology initiatives Online accounts Online filing Regulatory and policy updates Adjudications updates Faculty Robin D. O'Donoghue (DL), AILA USCIS HQ Liaison Committee Chair, Spring Conference Chair, Cambridge, MA Nicole Simon, AILA USICS Case Assistance Committee Chair, Philadelphia, PA Avideh Moussavian, Chief, Office of Policy & Strategy, Camp Springs, MD Carrie Selby, Associate Director, External Affairs Directorate, Camp Springs, MD Connie Nolan, Associate Director, Service Center Operations Directorate, Camp Springs, MD Michael Valverde, Associate Director, Field Operations Directorate, Washington, D.C
2:10 pm – 2:40 pm	Networking Break
2:40 pm – 3:50 pm	U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Open Forum Navigating CBP policy and guidance, recent developments, and current trends Systems Enforcement Admissions Liaison (SEAL) Systems Enforcement Analysis and Review (SEAR) Regional Carrier Liaison Groups (RCLGs) Professionalism Service Managers (PSMs) The future of admissions: “Stampless” admissions I-94 issuance and correction options Mobile applications and the future of innovation technology initiatives at ports of entry How to communicate effectively with a port of entry Trusted traveler programs: backlogs and solutions Faculty Ramon E. Curiel, AILA CBP Liaison Committee Chair, San Antonio, TX Nell W. Barker, AILA CBP Liaison Committee Vice Chair, Chicago, IL Matthew S. Davies, Executive Director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs Office of Field Operations, Washington, D.C. Luis A. Mejia, Deputy Executive Director, Admissibility Passengers and Programs, Washington, D.C John Carson, JFK Assistant Port Director, Field Operations, New York Field Office, New York, NY
3:50 pm – 4:20 pm	Networking Break
4:20 pm – 5:30 pm	U.S. Department of State (DOS) Open Forum Status of consular operations worldwide Nonimmigrant visas Immigrant visas Modernizations and enhancements to visa processing Stateside visa renewal pilot program Interview waivers Hot topics Updates from DOS Faculty Fuji Whittenburg (DL), AILA DOS Liaison Committee Chair, Calabasas, CA Steven D. Heller, AILA DOS Liaison Committee Vice Chair, Lewes, East Sussex, UK David Newman, Deputy Assistant Legal Affairs - Visas, Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Washington, D.C. Brian McInerney, Director, Field Operations, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Washington, D.C.
5:30 pm	Conference Concludes

Conference Program Committee
Robin D. O'Donoghue, Conference Chair, AILA USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Liaison Committee Chair, Cambridge, MA
Amy Bittner, AILA ICE Liaison Committee Vice Chair, Columbus, OH
Ramon E. Curiel, AILA CBP Liaison Committee Chair, San Antonio, TX
Amanda Keaveny, AILA EOIR Liaison Committee Chair, Charleston, SC
Vincent W. Lau, AILA DOL Liaison Committee Chair, Boston, MA
Amy L. Peck, AILA Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee Chair, Omaha, NE
Fuji Whittenburg, AILA DOS Liaison Committee Chair, Calabasas, CA

Sharvari (Shev) Dalal-Dheini, Director of Government Relations, Washington, D.C.
Michael Orlando, AILA Associate Director of Professional Development, Washington, D.C.

Back to Top | Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Friday, March 22, 2024

Live Conference CLE Credit

AILA will file for CLE credits in appropriate jurisdictions. Eligible participants can receive up to 9.0 total credits in 60-minute jurisdictions and up to 10.5 total credits in 50-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 March 29th, 2024. 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 9.0 total credits in 60-minute jurisdictions and up to 10.5 total credits in 50-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.

	Early Bird Rate (Through 03/04/24)	Regular Rate (After 03/04/24)
Members (In-Person)
AILA Members	$595	$795
AILA Members' Paralegal*	$595	$795
AILA Law Student Members	$395	$595
AILA Nonprofit Members	$445	$645
Nonmembers (In-Person)
Nonmember Attorneys	$795	$995
Nonmember Law Students	$495	$695
Government	$615	$815
Nonprofit Attorneys	$615	$815
Members (Webcast)
AILA Members	$595	$795
AILA Members' Paralegal*	$595	$795
AILA Law Student Members	$395	$595
AILA Nonprofit Members	$445	$645
Nonmembers (Webcast)
Nonmember Attorneys	$795	$995
Nonmember Law Students	$495	$695
Government	$615	$815
Nonprofit Attorneys	$615	$815

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 March 4, 2024. Attendees will receive recordings of all conference tracks included with registration.

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: COVID-19 POLICY.

Webcast Option
The webcast option for participation in the conference will be available to those choosing not to attend in person, and those who cannot abide by the Assumption of Risk & Agreement terms above. Those participating by webcast are responsible for providing their own computer and other equipment used to access the conference, and to pay for connectivity. Webcast participants also assume the risk of computer and Internet malfunctions and connection problems.

If you have any questions, please email conferences@aila.org.

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
All paralegals must first create a paralegal account on AILA.org and complete the AILA member paralegal verification process in order to register for AILA products and services. Non-member paralegals are not eligible to register. Paralegals cannot register for AILA conferences until the verification process is complete.

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
Registration and attendance at the AILA conferences and events constitute an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant's image, voice, and/or electronic communication in photographs, video recordings, electronic reproductions and video/audio recordings of such events by AILA. Your registration may include technology that monitors your activities throughout the meeting, such as session attendance and booths visited.

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.

Hotel Information

The conference will take place at the:

Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street NW
Washington, DC, 20001

AILA Room Rate: $329 Single/Double, Plus $20 Destination Fee and Applicable Taxes.
(Currently, rooms are only available on the night of Thursday, March 21 in the AILA room block. All other nights have been filled.)

Phone Reservations: 1 (888) 591-1234 (Group Code: AILA) or reserve online: Book Here

Hotel Cut-Off Date: Monday, February 26, 2024

NOTE: The specially discounted AILA group rate has been contracted for room nights reserved from March 18, 2024, to March 25, 2024. The AILA group rate is not guaranteed for any other dates and will be based on availability.

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.

Lodging Options Near AILA Conference Hotel, Grand Hyatt Washington*

*AILA does not have a group rate at the properties listed below. Please check cancellation policy for each property before reserving your stay.

Washington Marriott at Metro Center
775 12th Street, NW (2-minutes walk, 0.1 mile)

Conrad Washington DC
950 New York Avenue, NW (4-minutes walk, 0.2 mile)

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center
900 10th Street, NW (5-minutes walk, 0.2 mile)

Motto by Hilton Washington DC CityCenter
627 H Street, NW (7-minutes walk, 0.3 mile)

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown
815 14th Street, NW (8-minutes walk, 0.3 mile)

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
700 F Street, NW (8-minutes walk, 0.4 mile)

JW Marriott Washington DC
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (9-minutes walk, 0.5 mile)

Fairfield Inn and Suites Washington DC/Downtown
500 H Street, NW (10-minutes walk, 0.4 mile)

Airline Discount

Southwest

Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer 2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference attendees discounted fares. Discount valid for travel 03/17/2024 - 03/26/2024.

Go to https://www.swabiz.com/, enter the Company ID 99311376, and select flight details to get the discount. Contact 888-479-2249 or SouthwestAirlines@iluv.southwest.com for customer service needs.

United

United Airlines is pleased to offer a discount for attendees traveling to Washington (WAS) for 2024 AILA Spring CLE Conference. Valid travel dates to/from WAS are 03/17/2024 - 03/26/2024.

Go to www.united.com (Advanced Search page), enter your flight details, click on “Upgrades, certificates, and promotion codes” pull down menu, and enter promo code ZP2R163992 under “Promotions and certificates” to get the “Special offer” rates. MileagePlus members will earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code.

Please contact meetings@united.com with any questions or booking issues. US and Canada based attendees may also call United Meeting Reservations at (800) 426-1122. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations.

In-person and webcast cancellations received by March 4, 2024, entitle registrants to a full refund (less $50 processing fee). Cancellation requests will not be accepted after March 4, 2024, but the conference materials will be made available to all registrants in their AILA Shop 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.