The University of Houston Law Center Immigration Clinic, together with Catholic Charities and YMCA International, hosted the 2014 Joseph A. Vail Unaccompanied Alien Child and Asylum Workshop on Friday, October 3, 2014. Professor Susham M. Modi was one of the seven speakers at this workshop. Specifically, he gave a presentation on "Trafficking and Crime Victim Visas and Other Possible Relief" with UHLC Immigration Clinic colleague, Janet Beck. The presentation focused on victims of human trafficking and victims of serious crimes in the U.S., including victims of domestic violence. The presentation discussed the complex requirements for the T-visa, U-visa and the possibility to self-petition through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), as well as the specific immigration benefits these forms of relief provide.
Professor Modi also taught attorneys about the process of hearings in immigration court. He participated in a mock trial, with retired Judge Rose presiding, to teach attorney's how to be prepared in immigration court, and also provided a speech about being prepared for cross-examination by opposing counsel, the Department of Homeland Security.
This workshop, available as continuing legal education (CLE) was for lawyers to learn or better understand the legal options unaccompanied alien children (UAC) and asylum seekers may have. Other topics discussed included the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), Special Immigrant Juveniles, UAC Asylum Claims, and Psychological Trauma as it relates to the child client in asylum cases. The workshop concluded with insight from two retired immigration judges.