This event has been postponed and will not take place on 2/24/26.

Due to the high need for practitioners serving the community during this time, this event has been postponed. This event was originally scheduled before the metro surge occurred, and the current circumstances were unforeseen. Any payments will be refunded. If you are registered, you will receive a cancellation notice, and will also receive notice if the CLE gets rescheduled. 

Immigration Courts in Crisis: Removal Proceedings and the Erosion of Due Process 

Removal proceedings in immigration courts provide the legal process for determining whether noncitizens—regardless of their legal status—may remain in the United States. Under the law, these proceedings incorporate important protections such as a public hearing, the right to legal counsel, and the opportunity to present defenses—all essential components of due process. Yet in practice, a massive onslaught of policy changes and enforcement tactics has eroded the basic rule of law principles that removal proceedings are supposed to enshrine. Practitioners from the Minnesota legal community including Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) and the James H. Binger Center for New Americans will share insights from their work representing individuals in ICE custody and defending against removal in Anoka and Hennepin Counties, highlighting due process challenges including the rapid pace of cases, the use of detention as a deterrent, barriers to bond despite court grants, and limited access to counsel.

In addition to examining these systemic issues, presenters will discuss practical tools such as Know Your Rights and pro se materials, as well as opportunities for pro bono attorneys to get involved through organizations including MMLA, ILCM, and The Advocates for Human Rights. Attendees will also learn about strategies for addressing notario fraud and pathways for connecting clients with representation through AILA and other networks.

This timely session will connect policy developments, funding changes, and enforcement trends to the lived experience of non-citizens navigating removal defense. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of both the legal framework and the urgent need for collective advocacy and volunteer engagement.

Panelists: 
Nadia Anguiano, Associate Clinical Professor of Law; Director, Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic

Alison Griffith, Supervising Attorney, Mid-MN Legal Aid Immigration Law Project

Michelle Gonzalez, Staff Attorney, Mid-MN Legal Aid

CLE Credits:
1.0 Standard CLE Credits | Event Code: TBD 

Registration Deadline:
February 24th at 12:15 pm. To register after that time, email the program manager.

The Role of the Rule of Law CLE Series: Lawyering in a Constantly Evolving Legal Landscape 

This CLE series explores the concept of the rule of law—an ideal often invoked but rarely defined with precision. You may have heard that the rule of law means “the government of law, not men”; though it can be hard to understand how the rule of law exists separately from those who make it and those who live it.  

The ABA’s World Justice Project has proposed a working definition of the rule of law that includes four principles: 

• A system of self-government in which all persons, including the government, are accountable under the law 
• A system based on fair, publicized, broadly understood and stable laws 
• A fair, robust, and accessible legal process in which rights and responsibilities based in law are evenly enforced 
• Diverse, competent, and independent lawyers and judges 

This series will provide a presentation about the historical development of the rule of law, from the magna carta to its current role in democratic governance. Also included in the series will be sessions that will address current and emerging needs in the legal profession. Recognizing that many attorneys are active leaders in the broader community, these sessions will provide tangible takeaways to help you support the community around you.  

Rule of Law Series Dates

• February 24, 2026
  Immigration Courts in Crisis: Removal Proceedings and the Erosion of Due Process
• December 30, 2025
  A Second Bill of Particulars
• September 30, 2025
  Navigating Strings Attached: The Future of Federal Grant Qualifications 
• September 26, 2025
  A Conversation with Judge Tunheim on the Rule of Law | On Demand
• June 24, 2025
  Protecting Nonprofits in Uncertain Times Through Pro Bono Service | On Demand
• June 4, 2025
  Ethical Responsibility in Challenging Times — and All Times | On Demand
• May 13, 2025
  Navigating Emerging Threats to Nonprofits: Legal Considerations for Attorneys and Board Members | On Demand
• April 24, 2025
  The Magna Carta, Constitutionalism, and the Rise of the Rule of Law | On Demand 
• April 21, 2025
  How Lawyers Can Prepare Their Corporate Clients for Immigration Site Visits | On Demand 

Remote instructions will be emailed to you the day prior to the event.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all members can participate fully. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please notify the program manager with at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations.

Refunds will be processed for cancellation requests received in writing 24 hours before the event. Requests outside of that window are not eligible. You may send a colleague in your place if you are unable to attend.