AILA S. FL September Luncheon: Ethics, Public Charge & the End of D/S

You will not want to miss our September IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL General Membership Meeting and Luncheon! 09/09/2026

Location: Jungle Island and Virtual (ZOOM)

Topic: Ethics Unfiltered: A Conversation with Florida Bar Counsel + Public Charge Changes & the End of D/S for F-1 and J-1

On behalf of the Luncheons Committee, we invite you to our SEPTEMBER Luncheon.

Join us for the AILA South Florida September Luncheon, featuring two timely panels addressing professional ethics and major developments affecting immigration practice.

Our first panel, Ethics Unfiltered: A Conversation with Florida Bar Counsel, is a special collaboration between the AILA South Florida Practice Management Committee and Luncheons Committee. Featuring Amanda Harris, Bar Counsel with The Florida Bar – Miami Branch, this interactive discussion will give members a unique opportunity to hear directly from Bar Counsel and address practical ethics questions that arise in everyday immigration practice.

We will then turn to two significant immigration developments: changes to the Public Charge Rule and the end of Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors. Our panelists will discuss what practitioners need to know, practical implications for clients, and how these changes may affect case strategy and counseling.

You will not want to miss it!

FEATURED PANELISTS:

• Amanda Harris, Bar Counsel, The Florida Bar – Miami Branch
• Miriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq.
• Justin Russo, Esq.
• Erica Harris, American Immigration Council
  

📅 AGENDA

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Check-in, networking & lunch service
12:00 PM – 12:05 PM | Chapter Announcements
12:05 PM – 1:05 PM | Panel 1: Ethics Unfiltered: A Conversation with Florida Bar Counsel
1:05 PM – 2:00 PM | Panel 2: Public Charge Changes & the End of D/S for F-1 and J-1

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

1st PANEL: Ethics Unfiltered: A Conversation with Florida Bar Counsel

Immigration attorneys regularly encounter ethical questions involving client communications, confidentiality, fees, technology, supervision, and the unique challenges of a fast-changing practice area.

This panel offers AILA South Florida members the opportunity to hear directly from Amanda Harris, Bar Counsel with The Florida Bar – Miami Branch, about professional responsibility and the ethical issues attorneys should have on their radar.

The conversation will address practical ethics questions relevant to immigration practitioners, including:

• Attorney-client communications and managing client expectations
• Confidentiality and protection of client information
• Ethical considerations involving technology and artificial intelligence
• Supervision of paralegals, staff, and nonlawyers
• Fees, engagement agreements, and the scope of representation
• Avoiding common ethical pitfalls in day-to-day practice
• The Florida Bar complaint and disciplinary process
• Practical questions from AILA South Florida members

SUBMIT YOUR ETHICS QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE

Have an ethics question you would like us to ask Amanda Harris, Bar Counsel with The Florida Bar – Miami Branch?

AILA South Florida members are invited to submit their ethics questions in advance for consideration during the luncheon.

Questions must be submitted no later than September 2, 2026, so they can be compiled and provided to Amanda for her review at least one week before the September 9 luncheon.

👉 SUBMIT YOUR ETHICS QUESTION HERE

Questions may be selected, combined, or edited for clarity before being presented during the discussion.

Please note: This luncheon will not be recorded. To hear Amanda’s responses and participate in the discussion, members should attend in person or virtually on September 9.

Confirmed Panelists:

• Amanda Harris, Bar Counsel, The Florida Bar – Miami Branch

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2nd PANEL: Public Charge Changes & the End of D/S for F-1 and J-1

Immigration practitioners are once again navigating significant changes affecting how we advise and represent our clients.

This panel will focus on two important developments: changes to the Public Charge framework and the end of Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.

Public Charge Rule Changes

Miriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq. & Justin Russo, Esq.

Panelists will discuss:

• Changes to the Public Charge Rule
• Who may be affected by the changes
• Practical considerations for immigration practitioners
• Evidence and case-preparation considerations
• Counseling clients regarding Public Charge issues
• Important issues practitioners should be monitoring as the changes are implemented

End of Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 & J-1

Erica Harris, American Immigration Council

This portion of the panel will discuss:

• The end of Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants
• What the change means for students and exchange visitors
• Changes involving periods of authorized stay
• Extension-of-stay considerations
• Maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status
• Practical consequences for clients and immigration practitioners
• Implementation issues attorneys should be watching

Confirmed Panelists:

• Miriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq.
• Justin Russo, Esq.
• Erica Harris, American Immigration Council

NETWORKING OVER LUNCH:

Meet new colleagues, swap practice tips, and grow your referral circle while enjoying the buffet (vegetarian & gluten-free included).

SPONSOR: Gateway Medical - their mission is to make the immigration medical exam process quick, affordable, and convenient for every family we serve. Their vision is to support immigrants and strives to facilitate the advancement of their adjustment of status process. (Website: Gateway Immigration | I-693 Civil Surgeons FL)

PARKING FEE: $15.00 (reduced from $20.00)

CLE: Pending

REGISTRATION ONLINE :

• $30.00 South Florida Members (in person OR online);
• $45.00 for Non South Florida AILA Members and Non AILA Members (in person or online)(must be accompanied by a member)

REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR :

• $35.00 Members
• $50.00 for Non-Members (must be accompanied by a member).
• Must be paid with Credit Card.

IN-PERSON LOCATION: JUNGLE ISLAND, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132 (Doors will open at 11:30 am for in person attendees.)

ZOOM: IMPORTANT INFOMATION - Read Carefully

• Zoom link will be sent via Eventbrite message to all registered person ONCE registration closes on Friday at 12:00PM the week BEFORE the event.
• Zoom live streaming will start at 11:45 am.
• To ensure you receive the link, please remember to enter your email address correctly and make sure you purchase a VIRTUAL (not in person) Ticket.
• Always check your spam folder or mark the Eventbrite email as "not junk".
• On the day of the event, if you have any difficulty, please email luncheons@ailasouthflorida.org.

CANCELLATION AND MODIFICATION POLICY:

• Reservations, cancellations, and requests to modify your ticket from IN-PERSON to ONLINE must be received no later than 11:00 AM EST 7 days before the luncheon. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Requests to modify your "online" ticket to "in person" access will be accepted at the Door on the day of the event and has a penalty fee of $10.
• If you make a reservation and do not make your request to modify your "in person" or "online" access, or cancel by the deadline by the deadline above, you WILL BE charged for the luncheon even if you do not attend.
• If you are having technical difficulties with registering for the event, please contact Luncheons@ailasouthflorida.org.
• If you miss the registration deadline due to technical difficulties, you will be required to register at the door on the day of the event and pay the on-site registration fee.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Information and Protocols

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants (herein referred to as "COVID-19") exists in any public place where people are present. AILA South Florida ("AILA S.FL") will follow the applicable COVID-19 health and safety measures put into effect for the time of the luncheon by federal, state, and local public health and government officials.

Assumption of Risk & Agreement:

By registering for and attending the luncheon, you voluntarily agree to the following:

• To assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
• To accept primary responsibility for taking steps to protect yourself from contracting COVID-19.
• To follow all federal/local public health and government guidelines on COVID-19 health and safety in effect at the time of the luncheon.
• To fully comply with any health, safety, and other policies instituted by AILA S.FL and the venue while attending the luncheon, including any modifications and/or enhancements of health and safety protocols.
• To wear a mask at all times as directed by AILA S.FL, including but not limited to in the luncheon spaces except while eating or drinking. Speakers need not mask while presenting.
• If required by AILA S.FL, either (i) provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or (ii) submit negative COVID-19 test results obtained within 72 hours of first day of attendance. **Fully vaccinated means it will have been two weeks since your final dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, this means it has been two weeks since your second dose, and if you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, this means it has been two weeks since your first dose.
• To pay for all costs and expenses if you contract COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 while at the luncheon , including but not limited to costs related to a mandatory or voluntary quarantine (hotel, food and beverage), medical care, transportation to and from a medical facility or hospital, and changes in travel plans.
• Luncheon services may be modified or curtailed at any time if necessary or appropriate to meet COVID-19 health and safety practices.
• If you do not abide by the terms and conditions of attendance in effect at the time of the luncheon (as determined in AILA S.FL's sole discretion), you will not be permitted to enter the luncheon and participate in person, or (if the luncheon has started) you will be refused further admission.
• AILA S.FL reserves the right to cancel your luncheon registration at any time and for any reason, and provide you with the applicable refund, in its sole discretion. If cancellation is for your failure to abide by the terms and conditions of attendance, you will receive no refund.
• Under no circumstances shall AILA S.FL, its officers, directors, employees, and contractors be liable to you for any injury, damages, claims, liabilities, costs, expenses, or other loss of any kind (including death), arising in any manner from COVID-19 or otherwise arising from your attendance at, or participation in, the luncheon.
• You agree that this Liability Waiver & Release of Claims does not supersede or limit any applicable law limiting or barring the liability of AILA S.FL, its officers, directors, employees, and/or contractors from any claims related to COVID-19.

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,

Luncheons Committee, AILA South Florida