Continuing Education & Professional Development
Immigration Law and Policy
Overview: An increasing number of individuals seeking social services are immigrants. It is estimated that by mid century newcomers will make up almost half of the population in the United States. Against this backdrop, and in order to remain adaptive, competitive and effective, social workers, non profit organizations, and policy makers must be prepared to work with immigrants and their families, an issue that the Council on Social Work Education has addressed in standards regarding the “global context of practice.”
However, the legal status of immigrants often detrimentally affects immigrants’ access to services. Given the issue of documentation, the first part of this workshop will focus on the history of migration, as well as legal definitions of newcomers, including obtaining documents for lawful permanent residence, refugee status, as well as grounds for exclusion and deportation, and paths to naturalized citizenship. The information will benefit service providers and policy makers interested in the changing demographics of the region.
Objectives: Participants will learn: 1) the framework for US Immigration laws; 2) entering the country as a non immigrant; 3) staying in the country as an immigrant (green card: family sponsorship, labor certification, refugee); 4) grounds for exclusion; 5) grounds for deportation; 6) acquiring US Citizenship; and 7) when and how to use an immigration lawyer.
Method(s) of Instruction: Lecture, case presentation, discussion, and role plays.
Fee: $125
CE Contact Hours: 5
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Time: 9:30am–3:30pm
Instructor(s): Mr. Fernando Chang-Muy
Fernando Chang-Muy teaches Refugee Law at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Law, as the Thomas O’Boyle Lecturer, a position established to recognize the contributions made to students’ legal education by outstanding lawyers and judges who teach and share their experience with students.
Fernando is also President of Solutions International, which since 2002, has provided independent management consulting and training to philanthropic institutions, non profit organizations and government entities with a focus on immigration diversity issues, strategic planning, Board governance, staff communications, and resource development.