2026 Annual Crimes & Immigration Virtual Seminar

2026 Annual Crimes & Immigration Virtual Seminar

Thursday, June 11, 2026

8:00 AM - 2:45 PM (PT), 10:00 AM - 4:45 PM (CT), 11:00 AM - 5:45 PM (ET)

Location: Zoom Webinar

(330 Total Minutes - 5.50 Total CLE Credits based on the 60-minute credit hour)

Program Description:

This CLE course will focus on key topics in the intersection of immigration law and crimes and will consist of five sessions. The intended audience is immigration lawyers. The first one and a half hour session will introduce the categorical approach, the primary approach immigration authorities use to determine when criminal convictions trigger immigration consequences. This will be followed by four, one-hour sessions covering specific topics in this area: (1) analyzing post-conviction pathways that work in immigration court, including pardons; (2) the Laken Riley Act; what it is and how it applies; (3) hot topics in crime-based removal grounds; and (4) risk assessment and mitigation strategies for clients with criminal convictions. 

 – AGENDA –

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026

11:00 AM - 11:05 AM ET: Welcome and Introductions (5 minutes)

11:05 AM - 12:35 PM ET: Crim-Imm Defense: Mastering the Categorical and Modified Categorical Approach (90 minutes of instruction/1.50 CLE Credits)

Defending against almost all criminal grounds of removal requires a comprehensive understanding of the categorical (and modified) categorical approach. This session will cover the key features of the approach and its effective use in removal defense.

Faculty:

Phil Torrey, Harvard Law School

Kate Evans, Duke University School of Law

12:35 PM - 12:45 PM ET: Break (10 minutes)

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET: Post-Conviction Pathways, including Pardons, that Work in Immigration Court (60 minutes of instruction/1.00 CLE Credit)

This session will provide an overview on the availability of effective post-conviction fixes for immigration relief and how to coordinate with criminal defense counsel. The session will also include a practical overview on pardons: what they can and can’t solve, pardon campaigns, and how to counsel clients realistically about timelines, and risks.

Faculty:

Caitlin Bellis, National Immigration Project

Karl Krooth, Immigrant Crime and Justice, LLP

Jordan Pollock, Dallas County Public Defender

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM ET: Lunch Break (30 minutes)

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM ET: The Laken Riley Act: Detention Triggers, Scope, and Defense Strategies (60 minutes of instruction/1.00 CLE Credit)

This session will be a nuts-and-bolts overview of what the Laken Riley Act (LRA) is, who it reaches, and how it’s being applied today. It will also outline arguments for construing the statute narrowly, discuss procedural avenues for challenging detention under the LRA, and highlight key considerations for criminal defense counsel.

Faculty:

Mary Holper, Boston College Law School

Rebecca Scholtz, National Immigration Project

3:15 PM - 3:25 PM ET: Break (10 minutes)

3:25 PM - 4:25 PM ET: Recent Developments in Crime-Based Removal Grounds (60 minutes of instruction/1.00 CLE Credit)

This session will provide key recent updates from BIA and U.S. Courts of Appeals in this area, including: recent (often adverse) circuit developments on the crime of child abuse/neglect/ endangerment removal ground, what constitutes a “single scheme of criminal misconduct” for purposes of the two-CIMT deportability ground, and ongoing developments and circuit splits on the realistic probability framework.

Faculty:

Nadia Anguiano, University of Minnesota Law School

Khaled Alrabe, National Immigration Project

4:25 PM - 4:35 PM ET: Break (10 minutes)

4:35 PM - 5:35 PM ET: Risk Assessment and Counseling for Clients with a Criminal Record in this Climate (60 minutes of instruction/1.00 CLE Credit)

This practice-focused session will help practitioners assess and mitigate immigration risks for clients with criminal history. The panel will discuss how to counsel clients about detention exposure, enforcement trends, travel and filing decisions, check-ins and other ICE contacts as well as strategies for reducing immigration risk before and after criminal legal system involvement.

Faculty:

Ashley Warmeling, Virginia Defenders

Michelle Mendez, National Immigration Project

Bridget Pranzatelli, National Immigration Project

5:35 PM - 5:45 PM ET: Closing and Announcements (10 minutes)

CLE Sponsorship

National Immigration Project

CLE Credits

National Immigration Project will file for 5.50 CLE credits with the State Bar of California, State Bar of Texas, and the Washington State Bar Association. 

Uniform Certificates of Attendance will be available for attorneys to request CLE credits in other states. The National Immigration Project is also prepared to provide proof of attendance upon request. Registrants are responsible for any fees incurred in seeking CLE credit outside of Texas or Washington. 

Group Registration

We offer a 10% discount for groups of 5 to 10 and 15% discount for groups of 11 or more. To take advantage of the group registration discount organizations must:

1. Submit a complete list* of registrants via our Group Registration Form to events@nipnlg.org with the subject line, "2026 June CLE - Group Registration Form."

2. Pay a singular invoice for registration fees.

Payment can be made via ACH, Credit Card, or Check. *Please note that group registration list adjustments are not possible after an invoice has been issued.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance is available based on financial hardship and student status. Interested individuals should send an email to events@nipnlg.org with the reason they are requesting financial aid. This inbox is regularly monitored.