The Immigration Court Under Pressure: Defending Clients in Removal Proceedings Beyond Asylum

Robin N. Nice, Owner | McHaffey & Nice, LLC

Robin N. Nice is the owner of McHaffey & Nice, LLC, where she focuses exclusively on immigration law. Since being admitted to the Massachusetts and New York bars in 2012, she has dedicated her legal practice to immigration matters, including asylum and other forms of humanitarian relief. She represents individuals before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration Court, helping clients navigate the U.S. immigration system and understand the legal options available to them. Her work reflects her stated commitment to helping people through both her legal practice and her involvement in the community. In addition to her responsibilities as an attorney and law firm owner, Robin maintains an active role in professional organizations dedicated to immigration law and advocacy. She has served in leadership positions within the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), including as Chair of its New England Chapter, and participates in its national and regional asylum committees. She also serves on the board of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, contributing to her broader involvement in matters affecting immigrant and refugee communities. Her academic background combines legal education with graduate-level study in human rights, providing a foundation that encompasses both the practice of immigration law and the broader subject of human rights.

• Education & Credentials

Robin Nice’s educational background includes undergraduate, graduate, and legal studies. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College in 2007, followed by a Master of Science degree in Human Rights from the London School of Economics in 2008. She subsequently earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 2012. Her academic path includes formal study in human rights before her completion of legal education, alongside her subsequent focus on immigration law. Robin was admitted to the Massachusetts and New York bars in 2012, establishing her authorization to practice law in both jurisdictions. Her educational qualifications and bar admissions form the documented academic and professional foundation of her legal career.

• Recognition & Leadership

Robin Nice has held leadership and committee positions within the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has participated in organizational efforts related to asylum and refugee matters. She served as Chair of AILA’s New England Chapter from 2023 to 2024. She also serves on AILA’s National Asylum and Refugee Committee, where her involvement is connected to the organization’s national-level committee structure, and on the Asylum Committee of AILA’s New England Chapter. In addition to her professional association roles, Robin has served as a board member of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition since 2024. Her professional recognition includes selection to the 2026 Super Lawyers list for immigration law and prior recognition as a Rising Star in 2022. These leadership roles, committee appointments, and recognitions reflect the range of her documented involvement in the immigration law profession and immigrant advocacy community.

• Professional Involvement

Robin Nice is actively involved in professional legal organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Federal Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Boston Bar Association. Her involvement with AILA includes service on both the National Asylum and Refugee Committee and the New England Chapter’s Asylum Committee. She previously served as Chair of the New England Chapter from 2023 to 2024, a leadership position within the organization. Beyond her participation in professional legal associations, Robin serves on the board of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, where she has been involved since 2024. Her professional and community affiliations complement her work as an immigration attorney and law firm owner. Collectively, these documented roles demonstrate her participation in organizations connected to the legal profession, immigration practice, asylum matters, and immigrant and refugee advocacy.

• Experience

Robin Nice is the owner of McHaffey & Nice, LLC, where she practices exclusively in immigration law. Her work includes representing clients seeking asylum and other forms of humanitarian relief before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration Court. Her practice centers on assisting individuals and families as they navigate the U.S. immigration system, understand their legal options, and pursue forms of relief available under applicable immigration procedures. She has practiced immigration law since her admission to the Massachusetts and New York bars in 2012. In addition to her client representation, Robin’s professional experience includes leadership within the American Immigration Lawyers Association, service on its national and regional asylum committees, and board membership with the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition. These roles place her legal practice alongside ongoing participation in professional organizations and advocacy efforts related to immigrants and refugees. Her background in human rights, legal training, and immigration practice provides the documented context for her work in this field.

SESSION 1 – Beyond Asylum: Identifying Relief and Building the Removal Defense | Robin N. Nice | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

When asylum is unavailable, unlikely to succeed, or not the best strategy, practitioners must quickly identify alternative forms of relief and assess how the client’s immigration history affects eligibility. This session will examine how to evaluate a removal case from the outset, identify potential avenues for relief, and determine which claims and defenses should be developed. The discussion will address cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, waivers, humanitarian-based options, and other forms of relief, with an emphasis on eligibility requirements, evidentiary considerations, and common issues that can derail otherwise viable claims.

BREAK | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

SESSION 2 – Litigating the Case: Evidence, Procedure & Strategy in Immigration Court | Robin N. Nice | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

Once potential avenues of relief have been identified, effective removal defense requires careful preparation of the record and a strategy for presenting the case in immigration court. This session will focus on the practical aspects of litigating removal cases, including developing evidence, addressing procedural issues, preparing witnesses, responding to government arguments, and preserving issues for appeal. The discussion will also explore common mistakes in removal proceedings and strategies for managing cases when the client’s preferred form of relief is unavailable or faces significant obstacles.