Breaking News: Immigration Updates for Academic Institutions
We will survey the latest trends and guidance, focusing on the Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the State Department because keeping abreast of updates from these agencies is the key to successful visa applications. Gain best practices for addressing recent changes and look ahead to the next year for proposed new regulations and policies at those agencies.
Learning Objectives:
Learn about the policy and guidance changes at DOL, USCIS and the State Department over the past year.
Learn where to look for information on recent and future updates.
Discuss best practices for practicing immigration law at an academic institution in a time of uncertainty and rapid change.
Dan Berger
Dan Berger is a partner at the immigration law firm of Curran, Berger & Kludt in Northampton, MA.
Dan developed his interest in immigration in college, where he studied immigration history and taught English to adult refugees. He is a founding member of the US Alliance of International Entrepreneurs, an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, on the Legal Advisory Board of the Presidents’ Alliance on Immigration & Higher Education, and a member of the USCIS Headquarters liaison committee for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Dan has edited Immigration Options for Academics and Researchers and the Diplomatic Visa Guide. He wrote an Issue Brief for the American Council on Education (ACE) after the 2016 election, and was a co-author on a “Note” on immigration in 2017 for the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).
Robin Catmur-Smith
Robin Catmur-Smith is Director of Immigration Services at the University of Georgia with over 25 years in the field. Her office processes immigration sponsorships for 3,400 international students, scholars, faculty and staff. Robin has held volunteer positions for NAFSA: Association of International Educators and was on the Board for the Council for Global Immigration (CFGI). The recipient of the NAFSA 2012 Award of Excellence, Robin was raised in India, Canada, and several places in between. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development from the University of California at Davis, and a Master’s degree in Globalization Studies from Dartmouth College.