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Immigration Practice Resources

Search immigration practice advisories, sample filings, manuals, brief banks, and government guidance from trusted practitioner sources.

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Immigration court deadline 606 Asylum merits package 93 Motions, stays, and pretermission 133 Bond, detention, and habeas 79 BIA, PFR, and federal court 447 USCIS and AAO appeals 209 Crim-imm screening 151 VAWA, U, T, and survivor relief 190
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Showing 73-84 of 233 resources.

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National Immigration Project Practice advisory Mar 24, 2023

VAWA Cancellation of Removal

Cancellation of removal under the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) is an often overlooked form of relief for noncitizen survivors of abuse who are faced with removal proceedings. This practice advisory introduces and provides an overview of the eligibility requirements for VAWA cancellation.

Removal defense VAWA / U / T Cross-forum Direct PDF
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National Immigration Project Practice advisory Feb 1, 2023

Practice Advisory: Understanding and Overcoming Bars to Relief Triggered by a Prior Removal Order

People who have been ordered removed by an immigration judge or other immigration official face significant risks and hurdles in establishing eligibility for immigration benefits for which they might otherwise be eligible. For example, individuals with removal orders are generally at risk of summary removal at any time. Having a removal order may also trigger bars to eligibility for immigration relief. And in the case of applications for immigration benefits such as adjustment of status and asyl

Removal defense Adjustment of status Immigration court Direct PDF
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American Immigration Council Practice advisory Dec 16, 2022

Practice Tip: Opposing a Motion to Dismiss Asserting the Consular Nonreviewability Doctrine in Agency Delay Cases

Practitioners who challenge delays in visa processing often face a motion to dismiss based on the consular nonreviewability doctrine. This practice tip examines the scope of the doctrine. It provides arguments, with supporting documentation, to oppose common situations that the government claims are final, nonreviewable decisions. It also discusses the advantages of an Administrative Procedure Act cause of action and offers considerations for demonstrating unreasonable delay. The practice tip al

Removal defense Consular practice Evidence and procedure Consular processing Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Dec 13, 2022

Stakeholder Call with USCIS on VAWA, U, T

This advisory contains general information shared by USCIS staff during the September 2022 stakeholder event. It contains notes compiled by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) VAWA, U, and T National Committee and reflects USCIS responses to questions posed by the committee and partners.

Removal defense VAWA / U / T USCIS Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Nov 2, 2022

New Options for Survivors of Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Survivors of human trafficking and of domestic or sexual violence often are charged and convicted of offenses that arose as a direct result of their exploitation. For noncitizens, the criminal record can cause deportation or destroy their eligibility for humanitarian visas. In the last five years, California has enacted multiple laws to avoid this injustice in criminal court, including a defense to a criminal charge and a vehicle to vacate a past conviction for survivors who were coerced to comm

Removal defense Crimes and categorical approach Consular practice Cross-forum Direct PDF
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National Immigration Project Template motion Sep 1, 2022

Practitioner’s Notes for Template Prosecutorial Discretion Request: Joint Motion to Reopen an in Absentia Removal Order and Dismiss or, in the alternative, a Joint Motion to Reopen

This template is intended for practitioners who represent a client who has been ordered removed in absentia and is requesting prosecutorial discretion following the vacatur of DHS’s immigration enforcement priorities set out in the Mayorkas and Doyle Memoranda.

Removal defense Motions to reopen / reconsider Immigration court BIA Direct PDF
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National Immigration Project Practice advisory Aug 31, 2022

Practice Advisory: Gathering Criminal Records for Immigration Matters

This practice advisory provides an overview of how to effectively gather criminal records for immigration matters. The advisory briefly reviews considerations for conducting a criminal contacts screening and for evaluating the possible implications of a noncitizen’s criminal history if they are applying for benefits before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) or seeking a defense from removal in immigration courts (Section II). It then provides a summary of common cri

Removal defense Crimes and categorical approach Naturalization USCIS Immigration court Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Jul 12, 2022

Overview of California Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants

Thousands of noncitizens in California are at risk of removal or cannot qualify for immigration relief because they have unlawfully imposed criminal convictions. The good news is that there are several options under California law to eliminate these convictions for immigration purposes, using post-conviction relief (PCR). This Advisory can help advocates to identify which of these forms of California PCR may help your client, and direct you to more resources about how to obtain it.

Removal defense Crimes and categorical approach Cross-forum Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Jun 29, 2022

Identifying Issues for a BIA Appeal

Filing an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is a crucial step for many noncitizens facing removal because it is the last opportunity to obtain a favorable decision from the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Often, reviewing the immigration judge’s decision for errors is a daunting task. It can be difficult to separate identifying issues to appeal, from the overwhelming sense of injustice that can result from a negative decision. This advisory will focus on reviewing decis

Removal defense BIA appeals Immigration court BIA Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Jun 28, 2022

Advocating for and Representing Clients with Mental Illness in Detained Immigration Removal Proceedings

Clients with mental illness have needs and vulnerabilities that present unique challenges in immigration proceedings. This practice advisory provides an overview on advocating for clients with mental health issues, specifically focusing on representation in the detained setting. The advisory discusses legal authority that an immigration practitioner can utilize to protect a client’s due process rights and ensure their client’s agency is respected and they have a meaningful opportunity to present

Removal defense Cross-forum Direct PDF
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center Practice advisory Jun 27, 2022

Practice Advisory: Post-Conviction Relief Motions to Reopen

This advisory provides detailed instruction on how and where to file a motion to reopen for attorneys who have successfully vacated a conviction for immigration purposes and their client is now eligible for termination or a form of relief. In addition, the advisory addresses the impact of the post-departure bar and reinstatement of prior removal order on post-conviction relief motions to reopen.

Removal defense Motions to reopen / reconsider Crimes and categorical approach Cross-forum Direct PDF
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National Immigration Project Practice advisory Jun 24, 2022

Practice Advisory: Post-Conviction Relief Motions to Reopen

This practice advisory discusses motion to reopen strategies for noncitizens who have successfully obtained qualifying post-conviction relief. Section II distinguishes among motions to reopen, motions to remand, motions to reconsider, and motions to terminate. Section III provides an overview of motions to reopen. Section IV outlines the evidentiary requirements of motions to reopen. Section V summarizes exceptions to motions to reopen time and number limitations, including joint motions to reop

Removal defense Motions to reopen / reconsider Crimes and categorical approach Cross-forum Direct PDF
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