Tuesday, November 7, 2017

AILA CLE Luncheon: Ports of Entry – Searches, Seizures and More!

Do you know rights (and your clients’ rights) when encountering law enforcement at airports and other ports of entry? Join us at The Rusty Pelican on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 11:45AM for an interactive discussion on various issues being encountered by travelers at ports of entry. Our panel of experts will discuss:


  • What law and sources of authority apply at the port of entry?
  • What can be searched – bags, persons, cell phones, laptops? What happens if a traveler refuses to comply with a search or provide the code/password for a search of their technology? Are there different rights based on the traveler’s immigration status as a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national?
  • What can be seized – money, electronic devices, other assets? Can officers make/keep a copy of personal documents or information contained on an electronic device? How can travelers protect confidential client information or other sensitive information such as trade secrets? Does the attorney-client privilege exist? What happens to the seized property? Will it be returned?
  • Can U.S. citizens be detained or denied entry into the United States for failing to comply with search?
  • Is there access to counsel at airport or port of entry? When does right to counsel adhere? Who can assert? When is a client “in the United States” and/or “admitted” for constitutional and immigration purposes? When is someone “under arrest”?
  • What litigation is presently addressing profiling and due process issues arising from issues at port of entries? At what stages can an assertive attorney assert rights, from criminal, civil, immigration, and civil rights perspectives?
  • And much, much more.
Guest Speakers: Antonia Canero Davies, Nancy Abudu, Jennifer Diaz, and Kendall Coffey

Antonia Canero Davies is the founding partner of Antonia Canero P.A. She has practiced in Miami Florida since 1992 and specializes in U.S. Immigration Law. The law firm focuses on business immigration and corporate matters, but has a litigation and family law section, so it is a full service firm. Antonia holds a B.A. in International Law from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, and a JD from the University of Miami School of Law. She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and been a member of the South Florida Chapter Board and sits on national committees. She was also a member of the Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee for the Florida Bar and has written a proposed statute to sanction this dangerous activity. Born in the Caribbean, raised in South America and educated in Europe, Antonia speaks fluent Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. Her cross-cultural background and knowledge of international law are a benefit for strategic planning in the area of immigration law. Antonia is experienced in international business procedures. At age 17 she founded Eduform, a language school, which she managed for ten years. The corporation is still a leading force in Venezuela today. Her experience in the business world has given the law firm a strong structure and a non-traditional approach to management.

Nancy Abudu is the Director of Legal Operations at the ACLU of Florida. She litigates cases in federal and state courts and provides legal advice to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys working with the ACLU pro bono. Abudu was previously a staff attorney with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and was an associate at Skadden, Arps in New York. She has also represented victims of domestic violence on behalf of the Legal Aid Society of New York and has testified at the United Nations on human rights issues. Jennifer Diaz is a Board Certified International Attorney who is considered an “expert” in international law by the Florida Bar. She joins an elite group of Board Certified International attorneys in Florida. She is the founder of Diaz Trade Law, P.A. assisting clients with issues relating to the import and export of merchandise to and from the United States. Ms. Diaz is experienced working with many Federal agencies including but not limited to the: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Kendall Coffey is a former U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Florida (1993-1996); and most recently Chair, Southern District Conference, Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission (April 2009 – present). He is annually recognized as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida “Super Lawyer,” and South Florida Legal Guide’s “Top Lawyers”, recognized by the National Law Journal as one of its Lawyers of the Year for 2000, as Member of Gore Legal Team. He concentrates on complex litigation at trial and appellate levels, in state and federal court. A frequent teacher and guest lecturer, he has been Guest Legal Analyst providing legal commentary for international networks: CNN International, Telemundo, Univision, Canadian Broadcasting Company; national networks: CNBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, FOX, MSNBC and NBC; and local television: ABC-10, CBS-4, América TeVe, Telemundo-51, Univision-23, TeleMiami. As a teacher, Mr. Coffey is adjunct faculty member for University of Miami School of Law, Florida Constitutional Law (2008 – present), Florida International University (Administrative Law 2011), and Trial Advocacy Program (1991 – 1993); and a Lecturer in trial skills and substantive law for The Florida Bar, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Dade County Bar Association, University of Miami School of Law, Professional Education Systems, Inc., National Business Institute, Inc. and CLE International, Inc.

Register here!

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