CLE
Veronica Cardenas
Veronica Cardenas Cardenas Immigration Law
Introduction to Immigration Law
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Introduction to Immigration Law

This introductory course provides a practical overview of U.S. immigration law, including the structure of the immigration court system, key agencies, and the legal standards governing removability and custody. Participants will explore the types of immigration proceedings, Notice to Appear classifications, and common forms of relief from removal such as asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. Designed for clarity and application, the session equips attendees with a foundational understanding of core statutes, procedures, and legal frameworks in immigration enforcement.

Topics covered include:
Agenda:
  • Legal Frameworks and Key Statutes
    • Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
    • Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA)
    • 8 U.S.C. § 1101 – Definitions
    • 8 U.S.C. § 1182 – Inadmissibility
    • 8 U.S.C. § 1226 – Custody and Bond
    • 8 U.S.C. § 1227 – Deportability
    • 8 U.S.C. § 1229a – Removal Proceedings

  • Key Agencies Involved
    • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Administers and enforces immigration law
    • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
      • OPLA: Prosecutorial body in immigration court
      • ERO: Oversees detention and removals
      • HSI: Handles investigations related to immigration crimes

  • Determining Removability
    • Who is removable under immigration law:
      • Individuals who entered without inspection
      • Visa overstays
      • Lawful Permanent Residents who abandoned status or committed certain crimes
      • Individuals with violations of immigration status

  • Types of Immigration Proceedings
    • Custody Proceedings (Bond Hearings) – INA § 236
    • Removal Proceedings – INA § 240
    • Exclusion & Inadmissibility – INA §§ 235 & 212

  • Bond and Custody Practice
    • Discretionary Bond (INA § 236(a)): must show no danger to the community and not a flight risk
    • Mandatory Detention (INA § 236(c)): applies in certain criminal or national security contexts
    • No Jurisdiction when the individual is subject to a final removal order, in exclusion proceedings, or other statutory limitations apply

  • Notice to Appear (NTA) Classifications
    • Inadmissibility – INA § 212
    • Deportability – INA § 237
    • Asylum-only proceedings – typically in visa waiver cases

  • Relief from Removal
    • Cancellation of Removal – INA § 240A
    • Asylum – INA § 208
    • Withholding of Removal – INA § 241(b)(3)
    • Convention Against Torture (CAT)
    • Adjustment of Status – INA § 245
    • Waivers under INA §§ 212 & 237
    • Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
    • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
    • Voluntary Departure

  • Asylum, Withholding, and CAT
    • Asylum
      • Must prove a “well-founded fear” of persecution
      • Based on protected grounds (race, religion, political opinion, etc.)
      • Filed within one year of arrival
    • Withholding of Removal
      • Higher standard: “More likely than not” that persecution will occur
    • Convention Against Torture (CAT)
      • Applies if removal would lead to torture
      • No discretionary component
      • Bars include certain criminal convictions

  • Important Legal Precedents
    • Matter of A-B- (2018) – Limited domestic violence claims as asylum grounds
    • Matter of Lam (1972) – Set evidentiary standards for immigration court

  • Q&A (As Time Permits)
Read More
Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes
Originally broadcast: May 14, 2026 10:00 AM PT
Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

Immigration Law Framework and Agencies
Veronica Cardenas, the speaker, stresses the need to understand the Immigration and Nationality Act and its evolving interpretations. Veronica explains the roles of key agencies in immigration enforcement, including DHS, ICE, and CBP. She notes that ICE only has jurisdiction over non-citizens in immigration court. Veronica discusses the complexities of citizenship and the importance of having a naturalization certificate.
Removal Proceedings and Custody
Veronica outlines the categories of individuals subject to removability, such as visa overstays and those who entered without inspection. She discusses the distinct nature of custody and removal proceedings, highlighting their different rules. She notes the increase in detentions under INA Section 235 and the rights afforded in removal proceedings. Veronica explains the concept of exclusion, particularly in the context of asylum seekers.
Bond Hearings and Detention Challenges
Veronica explains the burden on respondents to prove they are not a danger or flight risk in bond hearings. She outlines the review process for detention decisions, including ICE and immigration judges. She highlights the importance of presenting evidence of stability and community ties in bond hearings. Veronica notes the administration's policy of mandatory detention under INA Section 235 and its legal challenges.
Forms of Immigration Relief
Veronica discusses the strategic considerations for attorneys in presenting relief options before the court. She emphasizes the importance of screening for various forms of relief, such as cancellation, asylum, and TPS. Veronica advises on maintaining a checklist to effectively assess client situations and potential relief options. She highlights the procedural challenges in asylum applications and the need for comprehensive documentation.
Legal Updates and Strategies
Veronica highlights the importance of preserving the record for appeals and making strategic arguments. She discusses the impact of recent case law on bond hearings and evidentiary burdens. She advises on the standards for asylum cases and the need for corroborating evidence. Veronica emphasizes the role of attorneys in building a compelling equities narrative for their clients.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker
Veronica Cardenas
Veronica Cardenas Founder
Cardenas Immigration Law

Veronica Cardenas, Esq. is a seasoned immigration attorney and former ICE prosecutor. She is the founder of Humanigration and Cardenas Immigration Law, where she dedicates her work to empowering non-citizens through legal representation, education, and advocacy. Veronica regularly speaks on immigration law and policy and provides mentorship and training for attorneys nationwide.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: May 13, 2031

California CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: May 13, 2028

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: May 14, 2028

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2029

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.20 General

Earn Credit Until: March 29, 2027

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2027

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Earn Credit Until: May 23, 2028

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: April 30, 2027

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: May 14, 2031

West Virginia CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.20 General

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2029


This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of General CLE credit in California, one hour of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Nevada, one hour of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of General CLE credit in Vermont, and one hour of General CLE credit in West Virginia. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.
This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in California from 2026-07-01 to 2028-06-30.

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