On July 20, Robert S. White, Principal of Masuda Funai’s Immigration Practice Group was a discussion leader at the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA’s) Annual Conference. Due to the uncertainty with COVID-19, AILA replaced the in-person event in San Diego with a new Virtual Annual Conference CLE program and exhibition. The discussion led by Mr. White covered new PERM audit templates and how the PERM and prevailing wage process will be changing in the near future. Of the more than 2,600 members that attended this year’s four-day virtual Annual Conference, 645 attended this PERM and BALCA Update Session.
The virtual conference and exhibition (held July 20-23) was sponsored by AILA University. It allowed practitioners from all immigration practice areas to unite virtually for four days of education, innovation, inspiration, and collaboration in a series of programming and events. Each day focused on a different substantive practice area and offered concurrent tracks, one on fundamentals and one with intermediate-advanced level programming. Live virtual programming was carefully curated to highlight the most popular and relevant content taken directly from the planned in-person AILA 2020 Annual Conference. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in daily yoga and mindfulness meditation and virtual social activities to meet-up with friends and colleagues. Virtual networking events after sessions included themed happy hours, as well as fun events to encourage members to expand their networks such as virtual team trivia, a virtual talent show, and more.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of more than 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. AILA member attorneys represent U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace. AILA members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 39 chapters and over 50 national committees.
