Immigration

Advised a global manufacturer of electrical products on multiple transfers of essential skills employees from India, Malaysia, China, Singapore, and Germany to the US to work on key research and development projects for the manufacture of lasers and semiconductors.

Advised a global manufacturer of electrical products on immigration implications of merger with other manufacturer, including existing workforce and employees assumed due to merger, successorship in interest and preparing and filing new blanket petition to cover all consolidated subsidiaries of the new business.

Obtained 50 E-2 visas for a group of engineers and technicians to assist in the installation and commissioning of a US$100 million aluminum can factory in Texas. Our team handled the entire project from collection of information, preparation and filing of applications, and individually prepared all applicants for their interviews at the US Consulate in Ciudad Juarez.

Managed a high-volume roster of foreign national employees and monitored work authorization with a quick turnaround.

Following a client’s acquisition of the self-driving arm of a competitor, provided strategic advice to salvage green card processes of the predecessor employer for the acquired workforce.

Advised an organics recycling client on strategy for the transfer of the key executive and research and development team to US operations. Defined best and most efficient strategy to transfer expats, prepare, and file petitions for individuals of extraordinary ability instrumental in establishing their new breeding facility for protein animal feed.

Obtained multiple expedite requests for clients, technicians, and executives intending to enter into the US, overcame significant backlogs on consular operations delaying the entry of employees and executives. Worked with clients and foreign nationals to prepare supporting documentation and advice on strategy to qualify for and obtain expedite requests under urgent business need.

Obtained PERM Certifications under audits questioning education and/or experience requirements outside of O*NET standard. Overcame Department of Labor’s higher level of scrutiny for Labor Certifications filed for employers requiring a higher or lower than standard education on job offers related to green card petitions.

Advised a payroll technology company on strategy to maintain employment authorization of foreign nationals on E-1 status due to loss of the company’s nationality following a corporate merger. Successfully obtained L-1 status based on employee’s prior employment with the organization before entering the US on non-immigrant status based on USCIS L-1 policy for qualifying period of employment.

Obtained green cards for employees with previous Chinese Communist Party Membership as young students. Advised on USCIS Policy regarding inadmissibility based on membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party. Likewise, responding request for evidence questioning individual’s eligibility based on this matter.

Advised global organizations in the transfer of B-1 business visitors entering the US to perform installation and commissioning of industrial equipment, receive training not available in their home country, and provide support as domestic workers for non-immigrants.

Advised high-net-worth individuals in best short and long-term strategy to obtain an E-2 and green card visa based on an investment in a US enterprise.

Advised a global organization leader in materials, networking, and lasers on H-3 trainee program with job-related training for work to be performed with affiliated company outside the US. This has built a robust process flow and product detail knowledge to benefit the organization’s financial goals.

Acted for a multinational technology company in developing pre-hire screening questions and a process to better identify job applicants who might be subject to export controls/deemed export restrictions.  By drawing on the firm's experience in export compliance and employment law, we were able to quickly create a process that satisfied all areas, without compromising the effectiveness of the pre-hire screen.

Acted for a self-driving technology company in successfully demonstrating to USCIS that H-1B1 time does not count towards the six-year cumulative limit on H and L time under the Act. The Act on its face creates a six-year total limit on time spent in “H or L status under the Act.” We were able to demonstrate persuasively that the H-1B1 visa is not “H…status under the Act” because the H-1B1 was created by a treaty rather than by the legislative process. This was a significant victory since conventional wisdom and a straightforward reading of the rule would lead most observers to assume that H-1B1 should be included in the calculation of “H or L status under the Act.”

Acted for a design-driven software studio in successfully demonstrating to USCIS that its new policy on calculating the three-year period of employment for L-1 visa applications was applicable only to petitions to change or extend status, rather than initial L-1 filings. Not only did USCIS ultimately agree with our position, but the consular officials also reviewed and agreed, despite initial reservations.

Acted for a global leader in engineering, planning, and consulting in transferring and rapidly assessing hundreds of immigration matters. Our team recorded the key data into our systems while answering many client questions, assisting employees throughout the migration, and working on multiple matters against tight deadlines, all without missing a single action item. We also implemented our state-of-the-art case management technology which allowed for customized reporting and case tracking systems.