9:00 – 5:30
Immigration Essentials
This full-day training session will cover the key concepts that all immigration professionals must know: understanding the roles of various government agencies, choosing the best non-immigrant and immigrant visa, and preparing for government audits. Class exercises will help workshop participants assimilate these concepts into coherent, usable, portable strategies.

9:00 - 10:30: Immigration Essentials Overview

10:50 - 12:30: Concurrent Sessions:
Non-Immigrant Visas for Companies
Non-Immigrant Visas for Non-Profits

1:30 - 3:20: Concurrent Sessions:
Employment-based Permanent Residence and PERM Labor Certification for Companies

Concurrent Sessions:
Employment-based Permanent Residence and PERM Labor Certification for Non-Profits

3:45 - 5:00: Adjustment of Status + Consular Processing
5:00 - 5:30: What I Wish I'd Known
1:00 - 5:30: Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 - 7:00: Welcome Reception



9:45 – 10:55
Reforming the Immigration System: Where Do We Stand?
After the 2012 election, immigration jettisoned to the top of the agenda in Washington. Join ACIP’s Chairman and Director of Legislative Affairs for an up-to-the moment analysis of immigration reform with key Congressional staff and/or stakeholders. This panel will provide ACIP members with information on the state of reform, what we expect out of any legislation before the end of the year, what is the legislation’s impact on U.S. employer competitiveness and immigration compliance and how various stakeholders' involvement has impacted the debate to date.


2:00 – 2:45
DOS/CBP: Sensible Processes to Facilitate Travel and Maintain Security
When U.S. employers hire foreign nationals, they hope to bring them to the U.S. as quickly and efficiently as possible. Officials from Department of State and Citizenship and Border Protection will discuss the best approaches to ensure speedy visa adjudications and entry while safeguarding our security. The officials will also provide the latest updates regarding the Business Executive Program and Implementation of the Electronic Form I-94.


2:45 – 3:30:
DOL: The Future of Labor Certification and Prevailing Wages
The skills gap is hitting employers in all industries. Will DOL provide relief for employers by facilitating the hiring of talented foreign nationals or will DOL continue to closely scrutinize these petitions in the face of continued unemployment? Department of Labor officials will talk about these and other developments on the horizon with PERM and iCert, LCAs and prevailing wage determinations.


3:50 – 4:35
The Rights and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees in the Employment Verification Process
As the debate over comprehensive reform unfolds, the role of employers in stopping the “jobs magnet” intensifies. It is essential for employers to stay current with the latest developments in the employment verification process. This panel will bring experts from USCIS, ICE and OSC together to provide this vital information about the obligations and rights of everyone involved with the process, and provide the latest guidance regarding “hot topics” such as DACA, TPS and the new I-9 form.



9:15 – 10:15
USCIS: Streamlining Adjudications and Policy Guidance
USCIS has undertaken numerous initiatives to improve the customer experience as visas are processed. Representatives from USCIS will discuss steps the agency has taken to improve the process, including transformation, the Entrepreneurs in Residence program, and enhancements to customer service. The panel will also discuss developments in visa adjudication, including RFEs and fraud detection.


10:35 – 11:45
Global Talent: Global Rules
The global movement of talent will be one of the defining features of the 21st century economy yet policymakers are just beginning to figure out how to grapple with these flows of workers. Austin Fragomen and Lynn Shotwell will lead a discussion on the state of play of migration policymaking at the international level and why it is critical for employers to have a strong voice.


1:30 – 2:45
Behind the DOL Wage Curtain
Back by popular demand - this panel will compare and contrast the DOL wage survey/prevailing wage process with the process used in the real world by compensation specialist firms.

1:30 – 2:45
Revisiting the Business Visitor: Laws and Enforcement Around the World
Companies rely on business visitor visas to enable foreign nationals to travel globally to consult, negotiate contracts, attend conferences, and conduct other business traveler activities. Recent changes in legislation and enforcement around the world have changed the game for business visitors. This workshop will keep you up to date on the latest developments and provide a blueprint for the future of the business traveler.

1:30 – 2:45
Great Expectations – Changes in the J-1 Program
As the State Department reviews the J-1 program and prepares for regulatory changes, sponsors will have to be prepared to demonstrate SEVIS and program compliance for both private sector and academic categories while host employers and institutions and participants will see an array of new requirements that will have to be met before, during, and after sponsored J-1 programs. This session will review what to expect in a compliance audit and potential new requirements for both host employers and institutions and participants.

1:30 – 2:45
What to Do When There are No More H-1Bs
The cap has been met and there are no more H-1Bs for another year. What is an employer to do? This workshop will cover other options for skilled workers including OPT, cap exemptions, and a variety of underutilized visa categories. The workshop will also cover options for employees who are approaching their 6th year in H-1B status.The cap has been met and there are no more H-1Bs for another year. What is an employer to do? This workshop will cover other options for skilled workers including OPT, cap exemptions, and a variety of underutilized visa categories. The workshop will also cover options for employees who are approaching their 6th year in H-1B status.


3:05 – 4:20
You Be the Judge of That!
This session is based on a recent stakeholder meeting at Texas Service Center, where the participants got redacted folders with actual case files, and asked to make a decision under time pressure - approve, NOID, RFE, deny. Then, there was a discussion. Depending on the participants who come to an ACIP session, we could try to divide into smaller groups with facilitators to focus on different visa types of particular interest.

3:05 – 4:20
Extraordinarily Confusing: EB-1s and EB-2s
Your employees are extraordinary. You know it. They know it. But will USCIS agree? This workshop will address the criteria for extraordinary ability and how you can best present a convincing case to USCIS. The workshop will also discuss the best way to present EB-2 cases should you be unable to make the case for EB-1 extraordinary ability.

3:05 – 4:20
Behind the DHS Curtain: The Life of a File
This session will explore current processes from the time a file is received at USCIS through adjudication and when the employee enters the United States. Panelists will talk about who are the adjudicators, who are the CBP officers, what latitude are each given, and what is the impact on the foreign national. In addition, the group will discuss how USCIS transformation initiatives are expected to streamline and change current processes.

3:05 – 4:20
Making It All Work – Getting HR to Understand the Immigration Process
Does your boss understand what you do and why it is important to your organization?  This workshop will explore ways in which immigration fits into the broader human resources picture, and how the relationship between immigration professionals and human resources professionals can be strengthened.  The workshop will define “immigration compliance” and help you answer the question “What are we doing to help you?” – Which can include helping your employer avoid the orange jumpsuit.


4:40 – 5:45
What Are You Doing About…
Relax and join your colleagues for a facilitated roundtable discussions and idea swaps about some of today’s hottest topics. You decide where the conversation goes. Table topics include:

• The Non-Profit Sector: SEVIS II, Research Scholars, Post-Docs and More
• India: What is Going On at the Consulates and with RFEs?
• Immigration Software: What’s Working For You or Not
• Labor Certifications and Prevailing Wages
• Managing I-9s and E-Verify

4:40 – 5:45
Facilitated Roundtables
Join in on the hottest topics of immigration at our facilitated roundtables. This is sure to be a highly attended function with the ability to attend more than one topic in a quick hour.



9:50 – 11:05
Developments in Deemed Export Control
Form I-129 requires you to determine whether your foreign national might be subject to export controls. Do you really know what this means? What are the implications of deemed export requirements from the U.S. Department of Commerce affecting companies, universities and research institutions? This presentation from Department of Commerce officials will include a demonstration of the new Deemed Export Inter-active tool.

9:50 – 11:05
Immigration in Emerging Markets
As industrialization continues across the globe, immigration needs are growing in countries that might not have been on your radar just a few years ago. This workshop explores the latest immigration developments and what you need to know about these countries. Don’t let these emerging markets become your biggest nightmare.

9:50 – 11:05
How the Past Impacts the Future - PERM and Your Practices
As we move toward an all-electronic immigration filing system, the government has more ability than ever to compare what you’ve said before to what you are saying now. This session will review what the government sees, discuss BALCA cases impacting PERM over the last year and how you can use this information to improve your PERM program.

9:50 – 11:05
Your Toughest I-9 and E-Verify Questions Answered
Form I-9 looks simple at first, but upon a second glance it can be confusing, frustrating, and full of pitfalls for your organization. The same goes for E-Verify. Bring your toughest questions to this workshop for a lively discussion about the enigma that is the employment verification process.


11:20 – 12:35
Globe Trotting After the Approval
After sponsoring temporary status or permanent residence, sometimes businesses must turn around and relocate the foreign national abroad temporarily and perhaps indefinitely. This session will analyze what employers can do to preserve immigration benefits.

11:20 – 12:35
Global Mobility – Tax Concerns When Crossing Borders
Is the infamous "183 day rule" protection from taxation? Join us to discuss tax risks and opportunities when employees cross borders. Get a glimpse of the tax requirements in various countries and where immigration status impacts tax exposure. Participate in a discussion of what organizations are doing to address risks and costs related to formal ,and informal, global mobility.

11:20 – 12:35
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Immigration
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which addresses bribery of overseas officials, has significant implications for companies with an international presence and global hiring practices. This workshop will provide an overview of the law and explain what your company needs to do to ensure you are in compliance.

11:20 – 12:35
From USCIS to US Consulate - How Do I Get My Visa?
In this session, a group of experts on U.S. consular practice issues will discuss key challenges and best practice strategies for nonimmigrant visa applicants at U.S. Consulates abroad including why it is important to be prepared, who makes the adjudication decisions, what is the content of the interview, how is compliance and accuracy ensured and what new practices have been implemented in the past year (such as the US Consulate process in India).