AILA New England Chapter

Thriving for Minority Attorneys: A Realistic Expectation or a Pipedream?
2024-05-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
(May 2, 5pm-7pm, hybrid, in person location: MCLE) Please see the flier here for details.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the DEI Committee invites colleagues to join us for an open discussion regarding some of the challenges we face as attorneys. Our profession tests the limits of our patience and wellbeing on a regular basis. As minority attorneys, the impacts on our wellbeing are even more persistent and compounded based on our lived experiences.
Please join us for a conversation led by panelists Stacey A. L. Best, Esq. (Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, MA) and Hannah Kilson, Esq. (President of the Boston Bar Association), as we discuss what it means to thrive; the different issues minority attorneys are forced to contend with in our profession; as well as tips for how to get through the tough days.

Brown Bag: Bars to Asylum
2024-04-24 12:00 - 13:00
Date: April 24th
Time: 12 noon
Title: BARS TO ASYLUM

Speaker(s): Ilana Greenstein and Violeta Haralampieva of PAIR Project

What to expect:
With southern border apprehensions on the rise and asylum backlogs reaching crisis proportions at both EOIR and USCIS, the previous and current administrations have increasingly sought to curtail access to asylum, both procedurally and substantively. Join our panelists for a discussion of some of the most common statutory and regulatory bars to asylum, with a focus on those most relevant to current migration trends. We will also discuss the legal exceptions to these bars, which offer crucial pathways to winning asylum despite the odds.

Topics include:

Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (Transit Ban 2.0)
Firm Resettlement
TRIG
Persecutor of Others

Zoom Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqf-uppz0vHd3XtGN-8ztW2HfTPISr0_QT

Tips for Managing Anxiety Around the Upcoming Election
2024-04-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for this roundtable discussion of the upcoming election, and other uncontrollable stressors, and how it impacts AILA members’ practices and well-being. The discussion leaders will cover:

Differentiating the past from the present
Focusing on past success responding to change
Turning stress into service
Identifying the resources you need to help your clients and yourself navigate the unknown future
Effectively communicating with clients about potential political consequences

Chapter Meeting (Virtual)
2024-04-11 17:00 - 18:30
5-5:30: business meeting
5:30-6:30: main meeting

Portions of this meeting will be streamed via Zoom – please see the link below.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtd-iopzIiGtWo9Asj1TAQdcZ_XNX0RDzd
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Online Asylum Filing Brown Bag
2024-04-09 12:00 - 13:00
Date: April 9
Time: 12 noon
Title: Online Asylum Filing
Speaker(s): Tara Rubenstein, Asylum Attorney, PAIR Project
What to Expect: A walk through the process of completing and filing an asylum application and supplementary materials online, including tips and tricks for successful online filing.
Zoom Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-ioqz0jG9AlPjIex4dJ4qn0Bb8P3JEu

Burn Out Training
2024-04-08 12:00 - 13:30
Join AILA New England for a lunch-time workshop, the “Impact of Vicarious Trauma in Immigration Work: Basics of Your Regulation System and Connecting to Your ‘Why'”,” for an in-depth discussion on understanding how exposure to trauma and stress in your work affects our bodies and shapes how we connect to our work. Trauma-focused Social Workers Kathleen Flinton, MAR, MSW, LICSW, and Anna M., MSW, LICSW, will provide an understanding of trauma and its impact on the body; how we get “stuck” in certain nervous system states and strategies that help you get “unstuck”; and reconnecting to your personal mission of why you do the work you do.

When: Apr 8, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqdeuprjojGtN3a2tvr1JHh6tiNsgFD5vg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

KYR - PAIR Project
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:00
Date: April 3
Time: 12 noon
Title: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Speaker(s): Julia Ciachurski, Detention Attorney/ Community Engagement at PAIR Project

What to expect: PAIR is looking for volunteer attorneys to assist with their Know Your Rights (KYR) initiative. Since 2016, PAIR has reached more than 19,500 community members through its KYR initiative by collaborating with shelters, churches, schools, and community centers across Massachusetts. Each presentation is about one hour and covers a brief overview of the immigration system, recent immigration updates, important legal resources, and your rights when encountering immigration officials.

Zoom Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAude2gqj8iGd0X5O1DJ9FsKg_Ta8hHsp4H

Chapter Meeting (In Person)
2024-03-28 16:00 - 18:30
Portions of this meeting will be streamed via Zoom. Please see link below.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckf-ChqzMjGdyeuVG3rqfxsA9-MefT5aQv
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
4-5PM: NMD hour (in person and via Zoom)
5-5:30PM: Business meeting (streamed via Zoom)
5:30-6:30PM: Main meeting (streamed via Zoom). We are fortunate to have leadership from the Boston Asylum Office join us. Don’t practice asylum? No problem – join us for an employment-based workshop. We will have roundtables where members can work through any employment- or family-based topic of your choice with your experienced colleagues. Come by and workshop your difficult case issues over wine and cheese. Can’t think of any specific topic? Come chat with us about:

How your Cap H-1B registrations went and commiserate about the system glitches
How to advise clients for whom FY2025 was the “last chance” at a cap H-1B before running out of work authorization
What alternative visa options you want to explore with your clients
How to handle joint sponsors in Affidavits of Support
Attorneys of all levels of experience are welcome! There is no such thing as a silly question.

Driver’s License Applications in New England (and Fraud Suspensions in MA)
2024-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Title: Driver’s License Applications in New England (and Fraud Suspensions in MA)
Date: Tuesday, March 26th, 12 noon – 1pm
Content: This brown bag will look at the immigration-related requirements for driver’s license applications in MA, ME, NH, R.I., and VT, and will highlight the possible immigration consequences of fraud suspensions in Massachusetts.
Speaker: AILA NE Chapter RMV Liaisons (Susan Ellison, Caroline Foley, Peter Rees, Beth Stickney)
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcOqvrjkoHtdltk5gvnYSUlBB7oMPKjyj

CLE Brown Bag - Adoptions
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:00
Topic: International Adoption
This is an overview session intended to introduce practitioners who have not practiced in this niche area of immigration law to immigration process for adopted children (requirements, agencies involved, forms, timing, main difficulties). It will be in Q&A format with time for questions from participants at the end.
When: Mar 6, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-6vrD8oHNMBWR6b4xxgVXpTkdiZOiES
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Strengthening Your BIA Appeal: Assessing the IJ Decision and Writing More Effective BIA Briefs
2024-02-29 12:00 - 13:00
Speaker: Aimee Mayer-Salins
What to expect: Assessing the strength and viability of an appeal, standards of review, and tips for writing effective BIA briefs
Zoom Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIufuiupjsjE9L9V-UBrLLBn5X_OJbqLxQD

Chapter Meeting (In Person)
2024-02-15 16:00 - 18:30 | MCLE, 10 Winter Pl, Boston, MA, 02108
This meeting will be in person at MCLE and portions not noted as “in person only” will be streamed via Zoom.
4:00pm – 5:00pm: Meeting for newer attorneys (in person only)
5:00pm – 5:30pm: Law students chat with Attorney Gregory Castillo and Samia Chandraker in the foyer (in person only)
5:00pm – 5:30pm: Business portion of the AILA New England Chapter meeting.
5:30pm – 6:30pm: Main meeting of the AILA New England Chapter. The guest speaker is CBP Chief Samuel Wiley.
6:30pm – 7:30pm: Social & networking time in the foyer.
Zoom attendees may register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqdeuqpjwtG9LRdy7CViznFOAtX39m8GPB
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Boston/Lowell IC Stakeholder Meeting - Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. ET
2024-02-15 11:00 - 12:00
You are cordially invited to a virtual stakeholder meeting on Thursday, February 15 at 11 a.m. ET. This meeting is primarily intended for those individuals who practice before the Boston Immigration Court. The meeting will be hosted by Assistant Chief Immigration Judge David Cheng and will provide stakeholders with an update regarding changes in Massachusetts court jurisdictions.

Please see meeting details below:

DATE: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024
TIME: 11 a.m. ET
REGISTRATION: Please REGISTER to attend via Webex.

If you have any questions in advance of the meeting, please feel free to email them to me as John Martin is out of the office until Feb. 23. Please feel free to share this invitation widely with other interested parties.

H-1B Hot Topics: Proposed New Regulations and Domestic Visa Renewal
2024-01-25 12:00 - 13:00
Title: H-1B Hot Topics: Proposed New Regulations and Domestic Visa Renewal
Date: Thursday, January 25th, 12 noon – 1pm
Content: Learn about the newly proposed H-1B regulations, and the Department of State’s domestic visa renewal program, and their implications for business immigration practitioners.
Speaker: John F. Quill, Chair, Immigration Practice, Mintz Levin (Boston)
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqfuyuqzguG9HSlRDbSWmWnohWNAa1_4lg

Chapter Meeting (IN PERSON)
2024-01-18 17:00 - 18:30
In person attendees will meet in the LOWER level of MCLE.
Zoom attendees: Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkcOqvrD4rHNZwRXbxzLnGARqkXfVjYD57
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

42B or Not to 42B: Non-LPR Cancellation
2024-01-17 12:00 - 13:00
Date: Wed Jan 17, 2024
Time: 12 noon
Title: 42B or Not to 42B: Non-LPR Cancellation
Speaker(s): Stephen Born
What to expect: The ethics of going from affirmative asylum to 42B and reflections from over 30 years of practice
Zoom Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87411543292?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meet & Greet at the Cantab Lounge - RSVP by Jan 4
2024-01-12 19:30 - 22:00
Meet & Greet, with live music at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge! Friday evening/night, Jan. 12. Join us at this beloved cabaret in the heart of Central Square for an opportunity to connect, unwind, and enjoy some great live music with your fellow AILA members in the private room at Cantab around 7 before the band (Angelina and the Unit) starts around 9. Hosted by the New Members Division and AIC Ambassador Margy Holland-Sparages, ALL AILA NE members welcome. There will be complementary tacos from Anna’s Taqueria and drinks starting at $5. Stay for the band ($10 cover). RSVP by Jan. 4 to Jamie Martin/Events Committee at eventsAILANE@gmail.com.

CBP Brown Bag
2024-01-11 12:00 - 13:00
The AILA New England CBP Liaisons for Air (Logan) and Land (Northern Border) are teaming up to provide you with the latest news and insights regarding CBP practices. Join us for a brown bag lunch to hear the updates and ask us anything you’re wondering about all things CBP.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtcuysrTwpHtU5ggTkgCHbNJ6j6rnDIwEP
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Hear from the AUSA’s Office!
2024-01-09 12:00 - 13:00
Assistant US Attorney Mark Sauter (former Assistant Chief Counsel with DHS’s Office of Chief Counsel) will sit down for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ style event, talking about the AUSA’s role and perspective on federal litigation cases.
When: Jan 9, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqcumrqD4rHdFqwB_Ae06NEPzpC59fkDHg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

AILA NE Holiday Party
2023-12-12 17:30 - 22:00
Come celebrate the end of the year with your AILA NE colleagues on December 12 at the beautiful, historic Omni Parker House. Plus ones are welcome (limit one per AILA NE member).
5:30 – 6:30: Cocktail hour
6:30 – 10:00: Dinner and dancing
For tickets and hotel reservation link, click here. Ticket sales close December 5, or when tickets run out, whichever comes first.
For questions, email EventsAILANE@gmail.com.

CLE Brown Bag on PERM – Good, Bad and the ugly
2023-12-06 13:00 - 14:00
Date: 12/06/2023
Time: 1 pm
Title: PERM – Good, Bad and the ugly
Speaker: Bennett Savitz
What to expect: Understanding the New Form ETA 9089
Zoom Registration Link:
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Dec 6, 2023, 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrf-upqjsoHNMi6sem57Ko2U6v4oevCj5-
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Retrospective/Ghosts of Federal Litigation Past
2023-12-06 12:00 - 13:00
Hi there,
Hear from experts with their informal anecdotes and favorite stories from federal litigation in this informal discussion. Chime in and share your own stories! Speakers: Jesse Bless and Luana Biagini.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvdeGqqj8uHNDFo–SJxLT157B96iT-tp8
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Brown Bag about Layoffs
2023-11-29 12:00 - 13:00
November 29 from 12 to 1PM EST: Brown Bag about Layoffs. Join us for an informative session on the impact of layoffs for foreign nationals and employers. We will discuss various requirements for different visa categories, grace periods, impact on PERM, and explore different options for foreign nationals.

Moderator: Shannon Parker, Mintz Levin
Panelists: Julie Galvin, WR Immigration and Mary Walsh, Iandoli Cronin & Desai

Join Zoom Meeting
https://aila-org.zoom.us/j/94410997735?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 944 1099 7735
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Federal Litigation Basics: Nuts and Bolts of getting started
2023-11-28 12:00 - 13:00
Join us on Nov. 28 from noon to 1 for this virtual brownbag with Adriana Lafaille of ACLU-MA to learn the mechanics around federal litigation filing, including how to get barred in District Court, how to actually e-file, how to figure out who to serve and how, etc. Ask any and all questions that might have you stumped in a safe space, with the option to ask anonymously.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUodOysrjovG9CWL8WbWNp7Z6HyK8kn6zqZ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Chapter Meeting (In Person - Not Recorded)
2023-11-16 17:00 - 18:30

Brown Bag: Representing immigrants detained by ICE
2023-11-13 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for a brown bag lunch as we discuss the nuts and bolts of providing legal services to immigrants detained by ICE in New England. We will provide an overview of the detention landscape and discuss custody and other detention-specific avenues for relief. (Presented by Irene Freidel, Detention Program Manager, Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0scOmprjgsHtVuBxEna2zmqEW_naHWnvnX
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Congressional Committee Brown Bag
2023-11-10 13:00 - 13:30
In preparation for the Congressional Breakfast on November 14th, volunteers and attendees are invited to join a brief meeting on Friday, November 10. We will provide a brief overview of the event and answer any questions about the program so that everyone knows what to expect.
https://aila-org.zoom.us/j/97262695073?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 972 6269 5073
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Federal Litigation Panel
2023-11-09 13:30 - 14:30
Employment-based Federal Litigation, with:
Greg Romanovsky
Leslie Dellon
Mark Stevens

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://aila-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrfuyvqTwjGNb0PEQPnb-NGy8j2EkrlOT7
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice (SCIJ) Info Session
2023-11-02 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice and how partner attorneys can help and benefit
The Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice (SCIJ) trains undergraduate students through an intensive 14-session program and then pairs them with immigration attorneys to help work on an asylum case, similar to a paralegal. Students provide support to attorneys by working on all aspects of the asylum case with SCIJ mentoring students during the process through case rounds, individual check-ins, and SCIJ’s law library. Partner attorneys review the case during key checkpoints and are the attorneys of record, similarly to working with a paralegal.

For attorneys interested in receiving support from SCIJ’s trained students, you can learn more here and sign up here. You can also contact SCIJ with any questions at info@SCIJimmigration.org.

Register in advance here here: https://airtable.com/app2dkwzzvviyjy2A/shrH4qG2wz1hXC0xy
Zoom link for event: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85150826940?pwd=[REDACTED]

DEI Book Club Meeting
2023-11-01 16:00 - 17:00
The AILA NE DEI committee is excited to host our second book club meeting. We recently had our first meeting discussing the first six chapters of the book “The Color of Law” and we look forward to diving into the second half of the book in a few weeks. If you did not previously sign up but would like to join the book club, please email ailanedeicommittee@gmail.com.
