May 19-20, 2026: ASISTA CLE Conference: U Petitioners in Proceedings: Strategies for Preventing …

ASISTA Virtual CLE Conference

U Petitioners in Proceedings: 

Strategies for Preventing Removal While USCIS Considers Relief

May 19-20, 2026 (12-5pm ET)

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This two-day conference is intended for intermediate attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives who have experience or interest in working with immigrant survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking or other crimes, who are in proceedings before EOIR.

Join ASISTA attorneys and a panel of national experts for a deep dive into the defensive strategies available to survivors with pending U visas. On Day 1, we will begin with techniques to use early in a U petition’s pendency, to make it as strong and as likely to lead to relief as possible, and to best harness the protections of a potential Bona Fide Determination (BFD). On Day 2, we will turn to options for detained survivors and arguments to present to try to prevent removal while a long-pending case waits for decision. The final session will include niche tips and tricks and panelist discussions on practice management and client counseling in an era of uncertainty and discouraging rhetoric. If you already represent U petitioners in proceedings, or are considering starting to do so, this conference is the perfect opportunity to ensure you are using best practices and truly protecting your immigrant survivor clients.

Intermediate Training: 8 TX MCLE credits (pending)

Day ONE: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (12-5pm ET)

Session One: (2 hr) 12-2 pm ET

Filing a U Petition in Proceedings

We start the conference at the beginning of the U petition process: deciding whether to file and preparing the application packet. When the petition will form the basis of a request to either end proceedings or halt physical removal, making it as perfect as possible from the outset is imperative. In this session, we will discuss the true requirements of a U certification and petition—and common pitfalls to avoid.

Speakers: Mary Lynn Tedesco, Tedesco Legal, PC; Esther Limb, Her Justice; Rebecca Eissenova, ASISTA.

Session Two: (2) 3-5 pm ET

How Big a Deal is a U BFD?

While a U visa petition pends, the interim step of a bona fide determination (BFD) promises some relief—but what, exactly? What does it mean to have a U BFD, with or without deferred action and a work permit, in today’s enforcement environment? What removal relief can it provide and what can be done to try to get one quickly? If your client is wrongly denied a BFD, what can you do, and what will come next? Does the BFD or waitlist provide protections if the IJ orders (or long ago ordered) removal? In this session, we’ll answer these questions and more. We’ll also discuss patterns that both speakers and the audience have seen as to how BFDs are processed by USCIS and regarded by ICE, IJs, and the courts.

Speakers: Ryan Durazo, Ayuda; Rebecca Scholtz, NIPNLG; Kelly Byrne, ASISTA.

Day TWO Wed., May 20, 2026 (12-5pm ET)

Session Three: (2 hr) 12-2 pm ET 

Detention and Check-Ins: A Quick, Survivor-Specific Tour of the Options

The extreme expansion of detention by the current administration has meant survivors who previously could rely on prosecutorial discretion must turn to more formal avenues for release. This session will review arguments for release that are especially useful for survivors to make. It will include short discussions on requests to ICE, custody redetermination hearings, and federal court filings, and describe useful resources to consult for deeper dives on the issue.

Speakers: Alexandra Goncalves-Pena; Cristina Velez, ASISTA; Heather Ziemba, ASISTA.

Session Four: (2 hr) 3-5 pm ET 

Miscellaneous Tricks of the Trade

We end the conference with a smorgasbord of tips and tricks for strengthening the defenses of survivors in removal proceedings. Pulling from frequently-asked-questions from registrants and ASISTA members, we address both doctrinal and practical quandaries. Among other things, speakers will discuss post-decision AAO and BIA options, how to most effectively draw on the purposes behind the U visa for your arguments, and whether or how to request waivers of inadmissibility from EOIR. On the practical side, we will wade into discussions on practice management and client counseling, drawing on techniques used by both the speakers and the audience.

Speakers: Sonia Parras Konrad, Law Offices of Sonia Parras, PLLC; Lia Ocasio, ASISTA.

Prices for full training (4 sessions = 8 CLE credit hrs.)

• $82.80 SPECIAL Rate Law Students
• $362.25 Legal Staff/Advocates/Non-Profit 
• $467.75 ASISTA Member Private Attorney
• $621 Non-member  

Note: Early bird pricing ends on Monday, May 11th, 2026. Prices for this training will increase $51.75 on Tuesday, May 12th. Registration will close the day before the training on Monday, May 18th at the end of the day.

Please note that effective June 29, 2024, training fees include all credit card processing costs. There will be no separate charges when paying by credit card. If you choose to pay by check, you will receive a 3.5% discount (please contact manager@asistahelp.org to confirm the correct amount). Please mail checks to: ASISTA, PO Box 12, Suffield, CT 06078.

Note: 8 hrs. of Texas MCLE credits will be applied for this conference. Certificates of attendance will be available upon request and completion of the training.

Questions: Contact Maria at manager@asistahelp.org with any questions.

    www.asistahelp.org

    ASISTA mailing address: PO Box 12, Suffield, CT, 06078