Understanding the U.S. Immigration System: Key Issues and Recent Changes

Understanding the U.S. Immigration System: Key Issues and Recent Changes

July 16, 2025

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Via Zoom

Description:
This program provides attorneys with a foundational overview of the United States immigration system. It will begin with a review of key components of immigration law, including humanitarian forms of protection such as asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The program will then address significant recent developments in immigration enforcement and related policy changes.

The course is designed to help practitioners across practice areas identify potential immigration issues their clients may face and to understand the broader legal and procedural context. No prior immigration law experience is necessary.

Speaker: Professor Sara P. Cressey

Sara joined the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic as a Staff Attorney in May 2022 and became a Visiting Professor of Law in July 2023. She supervises the work of student attorneys in the clinic in their direct representation and broader advocacy and outreach work and serves as an advisor to students who are interested in immigration law and human rights. Sara co-teaches Lawyering Skills for Clinical Practice, a two-credit course required for new clinic students across all five of Maine Law’s clinical programs in which students learn best practices for the core lawyering skills they will need for their clinic work. In addition, she teaches substantive classes related to the work of the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, including on defensive asylum and immigration research. Sara occasionally guest lectures in other courses.

Sara previously practiced at the law firm Drummond Woodsum in Portland, Maine. She was a member of the firm’s Trial Services Group and represented schools, businesses, and individuals in matters at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal court. Sara also worked on several amicus briefs on behalf of Tribal Nations filed at the federal appellate level, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, she served as a volunteer lawyer for the non-profit Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) in Portland, providing both direct representation and assistance with planning pro se trainings as part of ILAP’s Afghan Assistance Project. During her time at Drummond Woodsum, Sara also served as a Bar Coach to recent Maine Law graduates preparing for the bar exam, providing mentorship and guidance throughout the bar preparation process.

This program has been approved for one hour of general CLE credit.  Zoom credentials will be emailed to registrants one day before the program.