Business Visitors or Unauthorized Workers? Understanding ESTA & B-1 Boundaries

Recent ICE raids and other immigration enforcement actions highlight the growing scrutiny of employers who use ESTA and B-1 visas. This program, hosted by members of our Immigration and White Collar Defense and Investigations practices, will help employers navigate questions related to business visitor status, what records must be kept to prove compliance, and when a work visa is required.

We will examine common mistakes that trigger immigration-related investigations and enforcement actions, as well as the serious legal consequences that can follow—adverse press coverage, worker deportations, permanent loss of ESTA, I-9 violations, and blacklisting, among others. Drawing on recent enforcement trends, the session will also address what to expect in the event of an ICE audit or raid, strategies for responding, and how to negotiate with government investigators to mitigate liability. Attendees will leave with practical compliance guidance and insight into how to protect both their workforce and company in today’s heightened immigration enforcement climate.