Immigration and Visa Implications of First Amendment Activity by International Students and Scholars

International students and scholars are protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which among other things prohibits Congress from making a law “abridging the freedom of speech… or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” However, activity on and off campus that results in disciplinary actions, arrest, and criminal prosecution can have adverse immigration consequences, even if related to first amendment activity. This webinar will discuss information needed by international students, scholars, college and university staff, and campus leaders to understand the protections and risks related to first amendment activities.

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Panelists

Rina Gandhi. Rina Gandhi is the lead attorney in Murray Osorio’s Maryland office. She supervises the firm’s family, humanitarian, and employment teams. Rina focuses her practice on affirmative filings including complex employment-based cases such as National Interest Waivers; family-based cases; naturalization; non-immigrant visas such as P’s, O’s, and H’s; and humanitarian cases including asylum, U visas, and VAWA, with an emphasis on waivers of inadmissibility for crimes, fraud, and unlawful presence. She is also familiar with the nuances of consular processing, and the unique approaches to different consulates around the world. Rina has been exclusively practicing immigration law since 2014 when she graduated from William and Mary Law School. Prior to joining Murray Osorio PLLC, Rina worked on both affirmative and removal defense cases, specializing in employment cases, criminal-immigration issues, and waivers. Rina has worked within the field of immigration since 2009. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked at several non-profit organizations including Catholic Charities, as a paralegal at an immigration law firm, and at a refugee resettlement agency.

Rina is also an adjunct professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center where she teaches a course focused on gender-based asylum law. Rina is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Federal Bar Association (FBA). She is a co-chair for the AILA-DC USCIS Liaison committee, coordinating with USCIS on individual cases and larger policies. For many years, she was the Co-Chair of the Advocacy committee, engaging congress with on-the-ground issues and advocating for reform. Rina frequently lectures on immigration law, including at conferences for AILA and the FBA, in webinars, and at universities. She also volunteers at legal aid and naturalization clinics in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

David Fosnocht. David Fosnocht, JD, is director of immigration practice resources at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and editor of the NAFSA Adviser’s Manual. Before joining the NAFSA staff, he was a NAFSA member and associate director of the International Services Office at George Washington University. Prior to that, David practiced as an immigration attorney in Washington, D.C. He holds a BA in modern languages from Villanova University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a member of AILA and of the California and District of Columbia bars.

Moderator

Heather Stewart. Heather Stewart, JD, is the counsel and director of immigration policy in the public policy department of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Prior to her position at NAFSA, Heather was the government relations counsel at the American Council on International Personnel and liaison associate with the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Heather received a JD with an international law concentration from Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law and a BA with honors from Mercer University.