Safeguarding Undocumented Clients in State and Federal Court
Description
IN PERSON – Location TBD
Topic: Learn about federal illegal reentry prosecutions in Houston and the Southern District of Texas, including the elements, defenses and federal sentencing issues for violations of 18 U.S.C. 1326. Know the impact that your state criminal case may have on clients who are prosecuted for illegal reentry. Understand which clients are likely to be charged, and which clients may be released on bond in a Houston federal court. Explore post-conviction strategies to help your undocumented clients.
Presenters:
Tatiana Obando – email: Tatiana_Obando@fd.org
Tatiana Obando is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Southern District of Texas. Prior to joining the FPD, Tatiana practiced immigration law in Houston. She specialized in criminal immigration and asylum law. With the Federal Public Defender’s office, she has represented dozens of immigrants facing charges for illegal reentry, and has successfully obtained dismissals for several indictments with these charges. Tatiana is originally from Nicaragua where she obtained her law degree. She has an LLM in International Human Rights, and has been admitted to the New York State Bar, the Southern District of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Victoria Garcia-Cross – email: Victoria_Garcia-Cross@fd.org
Victoria García-Cross is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Southern District of Texas. She is a member of the Appellate Division and previously worked in the Trial Division. Before joining the office, Victoria practiced immigration law in Houston, primarily representing clients who entered the country as unaccompanied children. She also worked as an associate at a large law firm in New York and DC, and as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Dale A. Drozd for the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California. She attended Yale University and Columbia Law School.