Consular Processing: The Nuts and Bolts (Recorded Package)

What You Will Learn

Agenda Topics

Consular processing vs. adjustment of status, and pros and cons of each

• Discussion of 90-day rule issues

What visas are the different consulates processing and how frequently are appointments available?

• Generally, and Europe
• Caribbean
• Latin America and Canada
• Does “forum shopping” work

How to Prepare for a Consular Interview

• Preparing your client
• What do consular officers want to hear and what to avoid

Mock Consular Interview

• Interview Hypo scenario: B-1 in lieu of H-1B

Consular Refusals and Administrative Processing

• 214(b)
• 221(g)
• Admissibility Review Office
• Visa Revocations
• DUIs

How to Expedite your Interviews World Wide

• The fundamentals of expediting visa appointments
• What are Congressional inquiries worth?
• What to do if the Consulate’s inbox is not responding?
• Managing your reputation while zealously advocating

How to Manage Entries to the US if your client has had a Pandemic-related ESTA Extension or B-2 Extension. 

• What to consider when renewing a visa at the consulate.

What to do if a client needs to travel under an emergency situation.

• Advance and Humanitarian Parole
• Humanitarian parole in disaster situations

Recording/Recorded on August 11, 2022.

Testimonials

“The speakers made the subject matter understandable.” – Lizbeth Potts, Esq.

“Very informative and well presented.” – John D Robinson, Esq.

“I liked the material very much; it was a dynamic session.”

“Used to verify my current experience in these matters and picked up some pointers.”

Faculty

Antonia Canero, Esq.
Founder / Of Counsel
Canero Lammers Fadul Acevedo Immigration Law Group

Antonia Canero Davies is the founding partner of Antonia Canero P.A. She has practiced in MiamiFlorida since 1992 and specializes in U.S. Immigration Law. The law firm focuses on business immigration and corporate matters, but has a litigation and family law section, so it is a full service firm.

Antonia holds a B.A. in International Law from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, and a JD from the University of Miami School of Law. She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and been a member of the South Florida Chapter Board and sits on national committees. She was also a member of the Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee for the Florida Bar and has written a proposed statute to sanction this dangerous activity.

Born in the Caribbean, raised in South America and educated in Europe, Antonia speaks fluent Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. Her cross-cultural background and knowledge of international law are a benefit for strategic planning in the area of immigration law.

Antonia is experienced in international business procedures. At age 17 she founded Eduform, a language school, which she managed for ten years. The corporation is still a leading force in Venezuela today. Her experience in the business world has given the law firm a strong structure and a non-traditional approach to management. 

Maria Casablanca, Esq.

Akerman LLP

Maria "Marisa" Casablanca has dedicated herself to the practice of U.S Immigration and Nationality Law for 25 years. Her practice involves representing corporate clients and individuals in obtaining immigration assistance and benefits. Marisa is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by The Florida Bar, and was a member of The Florida Bar’s Certification Committee for Immigration and Nationality Law. 

Marisa counsels her clients on a wide array of immigration related issues including obtaining assistance and benefits such as employment visas (EB-5) as well as business related visas and residency for foreign nationals, representing family members of permanent residents and United States Citizens, and assisting those seeking asylum.

An experienced litigator, Marisa practices in all areas of Immigration law and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Southern District Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She has filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court on an immigration issue that conflicted with different states. She advises employers on compliance procedures and counsels individuals on how to maintain their status in the United States.

Matthew Hughes, Esq.
Former Visa Unit Chief, Kathmandu, Munich, and Belmopan, Belize.
BoarderCall LLC

Based in Portland, Oregon with a global practice, Matt Hughes guides businesses, individuals, and families through the U.S. immigration system.

IMMIGRATION 

Matt represents global organizations moving talent and knowledge around the world, start-ups seeking a foothold in North America, families creating new lives in the United States, visa applicants and more. With over 14 years of immigration and consular experience, Matt’s

practice includes, among other things, L-1 executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers; E visa investors; STEM-focused H-1B employees; Green Cards; and U.S. naturalizations. Matt is an expert in tricky consular issues, visa interviews, and other matters that involve the U.S. Department of State. He speaks German fluently, as well as some Spanish and Nepali.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

As a former American diplomat and consul who has moved his own family around the world

multiple times, Matt understands the importance of a trustworthy advisor. Before entering

private practice, Matt ran visa units for the U.S. Department of State in three countries

(Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Embassy Kathmandu; Visa Unit, U.S. Embassy Belmopan; Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate General Munich) and received multiple awards for his work and leadership on many sensitive issues. Because of this experience, he has often been a speaker at American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA) conferences on consular and visa matters. Matt is currently a member of the AILA New Member Division National Steering Committee. He has also served as a public defender and completed a clerkship in the Probate and Tax Division of the District of Columbia Superior Court.

John Rico
Assistant Director, Border Security
Customs and Border Protection of Department of Homeland Security

Mr. John P. Rico serves as the Assistant Director, Border Security, for the Miami/Tampa Field Office, which is comprised of 2,900 employees, and 22 ports of entry. His areas of responsibility include Passenger Operations, Enforcement Operations, and Incident Management.

Prior to this position, Mr. Rico served as a Supervisory Program Manager for the Miami and Tampa Field Offices responsible for the oversight and direction of passenger processing and enforcement programs.  Mr. Rico previously served as Acting Assistant Director, Border Security for the Baltimore Field Office as well as Assistant Port Director responsible for Passenger Operations at the Miami Seaport. 

Throughout his career Mr. Rico has completed many temporary details with a focus on traveler screening and counter terrorism including serving as CBP Liaison Officer to the Australian Border Intelligence Fusion Centre, assisting in the development of ESTA, and serving as the Team Lead for CBP’s Immigration Advisory Program at Frankfurt International Airport.  He began his federal service as an Immigration Inspector at Miami International Airport.

Mr. Rico holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Boston College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami.

Fees

Three Recorded Package options to choose from:

Video (with sound)* Recording & Materials Package – CD or Download:  $249

Audio Only* Recording & Materials Package – CD or Download:  $249

Order both the Video* and Audio Only* Packages for only $50 more – CD or Download:  $299

*The Video recording is a video of the webinar (with sound). The Audio recording is audio only, for those who wish to listen to it without visuals (such as in the car).

Note: All downloads must be downloaded to a computer first, before transferring them to another device.

For CDs, please add $8.50 shipping and, in CA, sales tax.

This program will be recorded live on August 11, 2022.

(Recorded packages are available approximately two to three weeks after the seminar is held.)

CLE Credit

FL General:  This program is approved for 4.0 general CLE credit in Florida through February 28, 2024.
FL Board Certified: This program is approved for 2.0 units of Board Certified CLE in Florida as follows: Immigration and Nationality Law through February 28, 2024.

WA General: This program is approved for 3.25 units of general CLE in Washington through August 11, 2027.

NY General: This course is eligible for approval, under New York’s CLE Approved Jurisdiction policy, for 3.25 CLE units. Pincus Professional Education is a CA Accredited Provider, which is a NY approved jurisdiction. See Section 6 of the New York State CLE Board Regulations and Guidelines for further information.

This program is approved for CLE in the states listed above.  Upon request, Pincus Pro Ed will provide any information an attorney needs to support their application for CLE approval in other states other than what is listed above. Many attorneys ask for this and are approved in other states.