Afghan citizens targeted by the Taliban, women and children fleeing familial violence, political activists, and LGBTQ+ persons escaping draconian laws that punish sexual orientation - there are many reasons for seeking legal protection in the United States. The needs of brave asylum seekers are often highly complex, and they may require a wide range of legal services.
This program provides an orientation to immigration law that is useful for lawyers who are interested in developing an immigration practice and for anyone who wants to effectively represent an asylum seeker in an immigration case. The faculty includes the Director of the Boston Asylum Office, experienced practitioners from the private bar, a doctor specializing in trauma, and knowledgeable attorneys from the private sector and legal services organizations. These experts teach you how to prepare an asylum application under immigration law, how the law defines past persecution, where to file an asylum case, and how to comply with court and administrative procedures. They explain how to work with your client to build the strongest possible case and how to avoid common pitfalls like an adverse credibility finding.
This program provides an orientation to immigration law that is useful for lawyers who are interested in developing an immigration practice and for anyone who wants to effectively represent an asylum seeker in an immigration case. The faculty includes the Director of the Boston Asylum Office, experienced practitioners from the private bar, a doctor specializing in trauma, and knowledgeable attorneys from the private sector and legal services organizations. These experts teach you how to prepare an asylum application under immigration law, how the law defines past persecution, where to file an asylum case, and how to comply with court and administrative procedures. They explain how to work with your client to build the strongest possible case and how to avoid common pitfalls like an adverse credibility finding.
Course Content
1:00 pm - 1:05 pm- Welcome and Introduction
- Anita P. Sharma, Esq., PAIR Project, Boston
- Brief Overview of the Law
- Ilana E. Greenstein, Esq., American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington
- Interviewing Your Asylum Client & Packaging the Asylum Application for an Affirmative Filing
- Anita P. Sharma, Esq., PAIR Project, Boston
- Break
- Defensive Asylum Process
- David K. McHaffey, Esq., McHaffey & Nice LLC, Boston
- Perspective from the Boston Asylum Office
- Meghann W. Boyle, Esq., U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, Boston
- Understanding Trauma & How to Work with a Medical Expert
- Sondra S. Crosby, MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston
- Please Note
- MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
- There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
Speakers
Chair- Anita P. Sharma, Esq., PAIR Project, Boston
- Meghann W. Boyle, Esq., U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, Boston
- Sondra S. Crosby, MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston
- Ilana E. Greenstein, Esq., American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington
- David K. McHaffey, Esq., McHaffey & Nice LLC, Boston
