Session #30:
Introduction to U.S. Immigration Law and the Asylum Process
August 19, 2025
12 – 1 p.m.
Virtual Zoom Presentation
Free – online Zoom
Are you an attorney interested in supporting access to justice but unfamiliar with immigration law? Join us for this beginner-friendly training designed to introduce the basics of U.S. immigration law with a focus on the asylum process.
This webinar will provide an overview of key legal concepts, eligibility requirements, and procedural steps involved in applying for asylum in the United States. No prior immigration experience is necessary. The training is specifically intended for attorneys who want to volunteer at future asylum workshops and need foundational knowledge to get started.
By attending, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to assist individuals fleeing persecution as they seek protection through our legal system.
Who Should Attend:
Attorneys from any practice area who are interested in volunteering at upcoming asylum legal clinics or simply want to learn more about this important area of law.
Presenters:
Tania Morris Diaz is the Managing Attorney for the MIRC-Wide Pro Bono Team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a concentration in Latin American Studies from the University of South Alabama and pursued graduate studies in Political and Social Sciences at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Tania earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2017. During law school, she contributed to the Human Trafficking Clinic, the Unemployment Insurance Clinic, and the Community and Economic Development Clinic. She also served as a Geneva Extern Scholar at the International Service for Human Rights.
Following graduation, Tania practiced business immigration at Antone, Casagrande & Adwers, P.C. She joined the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) in 2018 focusing on removal defense and later supporting the Immigration Court Helpdesk. Before returning to MIRC as a Supervising Attorney for the Children's Team, she worked at Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, where she concentrated on family-based immigration and consular processing.
Tania currently serves as Eastside Co-Chair of the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (MCIRR), a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Justice Initiatives Committee, and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Publications Committee.
Reginald Pacis, Shareholder, Butzel
Reginald A. Pacis is a shareholder practicing in Butzel Long’s Detroit office. He concentrates his practice in immigration law and has handled a variety of immigration matters including H-1B specialty occupation cases, L-1 Intracompany transfers, Labor Certification matters, Immigrant Visa Petitions/ Adjustment of Status applications and interviews, TN Free trade cases, H-1B Department of Labor Investigations, I-9 employer verification compliance, and U.S. Port of Entry airport and land port interviews. Mr. Pacis received his J.D. from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 1996 and his B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University in 1992. He joined the State Bar of Michigan in 1997.He has presented in a number of national conferences for the American Immigration Lawyers Association and frequently represents companies with employees who have interviews before immigration officials. As a member of the Firm’s immigration group he also coordinates with immigration issues involving U.S. immigration and immigration issues to other areas of the world such as Canada, Europe and South America.
Attend and receive a Certificate of Completion. Approved for State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll hours. Training hours can be put toward the Detroit Bar Pro Bono award with recognition at the annual Archer Award Gala in November. For full details, please visit https://www.detroitlawyer.org/probonoaward/
For questions, contact Sheena Law-Killinger at slawkillinger@detroitlawyer.org.
Brought to you by:
DETROIT BAR PRO BONO/ACCESS TO
JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The information provided in this programming does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.