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  • videocam On-Demand Webinar
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel Immigration
  • schedule 90 minutes

Building a Strong U-Visa Case: Certification, Evidence, and I-192 Discretion

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$197.00
$167.45
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Discount expires 12/31/25

This course is $0 with these passes:

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About the Course

Introduction

This webinar will give immigration and victim advocacy counsel a practical and current update on U non-immigrant status (U-visas). The program will review the statutory and regulatory framework, how the bona fide determination (BFD) process works, the 10,000-principal annual cap, the reality of multi-year backlogs, work permits (EADs), and deferred action practices. 

Description

The experts will cover the essentials of a strong filing: Form I-918 with a Supplement B signed within 6 months, prompt biometrics, and concise, credible evidence of harm and helpfulness. The panel examines derivatives and age-out protections, outlines who qualifies when the principal is under 21 vs. 21 or older, and explains where inadmissibility arises and how the I-192 waiver fits into strategy. When can mandamus realistically move a stalled case? How can counsel set client expectations about work authorization and final decisions?

Listen as our panel walks through the key decisions at each stage: BFD vs. waitlist, evidence and certification, derivatives, waivers, work authorization, and litigation options to enable advocates to guide clients toward protection and employment authorization as quickly and cleanly as current rules allow.

Presented By

Emily B. Brock
Children's Program Deputy Managing Attorney
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN)

Ms. Brock, Esq., is the Deputy Managing Attorney of the Children's Program at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network ("RMIAN"). She specializes in representing children and families in their survivor-based immigration cases before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Denver Immigration Court.

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Cindy Larios
Senior Attorney
Murray Osorio PLLC

Ms. Larios is a senior attorney in Murray Osorio’s Family & Citizenship practice group. She focuses her practice on affirmative filings such as family petitions, adjustment of status, naturalization, waivers, affirmative asylum, and other humanitarian applications.




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Credit Information

  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Tuesday, January 27, 2026

  • schedule

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

I. U-Visa fundamentals and statutory framework

II. USCIS BFD process: criteria, deferred action, updates and timelines

III. Building a bona fide file

A. Initial evidence checklists: I-918, Supplement B within 6 months, biometrics

B. Drafting effective declarations and framing trauma/rehabilitation evidence

C. Certifier outreach strategies and pitfalls

IV. Derivatives and family strategy

A. Eligibility (under/over-21 principals, spouses, children, parents, siblings)

B. Timing traps and INA §214(p)(7) age-out protections

C. I-918A concurrent filings and later I-929 for certain relatives

V. Inadmissibility and I-192 waivers

A. Common grounds and discretionary framing

B. Documenting equities (rehabilitation, hardship, VAWA confidentiality)

VI. Interim benefits and work authorization: deferred action, EADs, renewal, timelines

VII. Litigation and current policy trend

A. A.M.P. v. DHS and class actions over BFD/EAD delays

B. Mandamus strategies, what they can and cannot achieve

VIII. Client counseling

A. Counseling clients with trauma-informed practices during multi-year delays

B. Safety planning and candor regarding uncertain timelines

IX. Practitioner takeaways

The panel will review these and other relevant issues:

  • Statutory and regulatory framework for U visas, including the annual cap, BFD, waitlist, and procedures
  • Assembling and executing an effective filing: Form I-918 Supplement B, prompt biometrics, and concise, credible evidence of harm and helpfulness 
  • Applying current BFD and EAD practices to counsel clients on deferred action, work authorization categories, and realistic timelines
  • Evaluating derivative eligibility and age-out protections, spotting traps, and ensuring timely filings
  • Identifying inadmissibility and I-192 waiver issues and framing discretionary arguments effectively
  • Assess when litigation (mandamus, class actions) or policy advocacy may be effective