The Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) is hosting its first annual e-conference, “Cutting Edge Issues in Immigration Law,” a week-long series of interactive online trainings with national experts, from October 29 to November 2, 2012.

IAN is the country’s largest network of nonprofit  and public interest immigration advocates, with over 5,500 members representing every state in the U.S.  It was developed by a coalition of leading national immigration groups, in partnership with Pro Bono Net.

“The e-conference will allow immigration legal services providers and private attorneys to hear from some of the most respected experts in the field, without having to leave the office,” said Matthew Burnett, Director of IAN.  “Anyone interested in increasing access to justice for immigrants should take advantage of this opportunity to learn about new developments and strategies.”

The cost of each two-hour training session is $40, which will help to ensure that IAN is able to continue to offer free trainings and resources throughout the year.  To learn more and to register, visit the conference website or use the links below.

The e-conference sessions include:

Latest Developments in Immigration Relief for Children and Youth
This session will examine the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), highlighting all the latest developments in these areas. It will also provide up-to-date “best practices” on the recently implemented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, including recommendations for filing a request. The panelists are Charles Wheeler, Director of the National Legal Center for Immigrants, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.; Kristen Jackson, Senior Staff Attorney, Public Counsel; and Lourdes Martinez, Staff Attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center. This two hour training is offered Monday, October 29th at 2:00 pm Eastern / 1:00 pm Central / 12:00 pm Mountain / 11:00 am Pacific. The cost of this session is $40.

The U Visa: Emerging and Complex Issues
This session will briefly review U visa basics, then discuss emerging and more complex issues that arise with aging-out derivatives, consular processing and adjustment, and final orders of removal. The panelists are Sally Kinoshita, Deputy Director, Immigrant Legal Resource Center; Gail Pendleton, Co-Director, ASISTA; and Christie Popp of the Popp Law Office. This two hour training is offered Tuesday, October 30th at 2:00 pm Eastern / 1:00 pm Central / 12:00 pm Mountain / 11:00 am Pacific. The cost of this session is $40.

Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Members of the Military: Special Rules and Considerations
In certain cases, spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify for naturalization after three years as a permanent resident or even after no specific period of continuous residence. Also, special rules apply to naturalization applicants who are members of the armed forces. This session will discuss who qualifies for these exceptions, the special requirements for eligibility, and the application process under these provisions. The panelists are Susan Schreiber, Managing Attorney at the National Legal Center for Immigrants, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc (CLINIC); Kristina Karpinski, Training and Legal Support Attorney at the National Legal Center for Immigrants, CLINIC; and Cassie A. Strom, Attorney at the Veterans Advocacy Project, Catholic Charities, St. Louis, Missouri. This two hour training is offered Wednesday, October 31st at 2:00 pm Eastern / 1:00 pm Central / 12:00 pm Mountain / 11:00 am Pacific. The cost of this session is $40.

Asylum Hot Topics
This session will address evolving law and practice for asylum based on social group membership. Speakers will discuss strategies for domestic violence-based asylum claims, how to frame gender-based asylum claims, working with clients who have suffered abuse, and legal arguments regarding social group visibility and particularity. The session will touch on the intersection of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals with pending or potential asylum cases. The panelists are Lisa Frydman, Managing Attorney, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS); Christine Lin, Staff Attorney, CGRS; and Vanessa Allyn, Staff Attorney, Refugee Protection Program, Human Rights First. The moderator is Emily Good, Staff Attorney, Research, Education & Advocacy, The Advocates for Human Rights. This two hour training is offered Thursday, November 1st at 2:00 pm Eastern / 1:00 pm Central / 12:00 pm Mountain / 11:00 am Pacific. The cost of this session is $40.

Crimes of Violence and Crimes of Domestic Violence
This training session is for both immigration practitioners and criminal defense practitioners. It will provide strategies for criminal defense practitioners to avoid crimes of violence (COV) and crimes of domestic violence (CODV); and it will provide strategies for immigration practitioners to defend against immigration charges based on COV and CODV.  The panelists are Dan Kesselbrenner, Executive Director, National Immigration Project; Sejal Zota, Staff Attorney, National Immigration Project; and Rose Cahn, Associate Attorney, the Law Offices of Norton Tooby. This two hour training is offered Friday, November 2nd at 2:00 pm Eastern / 1:00 pm Central / 12:00 pm Mountain / 11:00 am Pacific. The cost of this session is $40.