Immigration-related regulations and laws impact companies of all sizes and types. To handle increased government scrutiny and enforcement pressure faced by employers in today's global markets, McGuireWoods offers a comprehensive approach to immigration matters. Unlike boutique firms that deal solely with immigration law, we provide a wider perspective. We have corporate and employment lawyers who know the ins and outs of creating foreign-owned U.S. business entities or employing foreign nationals; and our government investigations lawyers are experienced in representing companies in government investigations of employment of non-immigrants, permanent residents and U.S. citizens.
McGuireWoods provides immigration legal services to a broad range of business clients, including multinational corporations, emerging businesses, universities, hospitals, nonprofits, hospitality companies, religious organizations and entrepreneurs.
The firm has extensive experience handling ICE workforce enforcement measures. We provide I-9 compliance advice and auditing, conduct internal investigations, and design and implement employment eligibility verification programs.
When advising on and preparing visa petitions, we know that all relevant laws must be considered – not just those that specifically apply to immigration. Employers also must comply with labor and employment laws in making submissions to the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor or State, or in setting up employment verification programs. Clients seeking visas to start new U.S.-based businesses must comply with relevant corporate and tax law. We ensure that no pertinent law or requirement is overlooked.
Clients count on us to obtain temporary and permanent resident visas to allow foreign nationals to work in the United States.
Experience
We provide creative solutions to difficult cases, establishing a foreign national’s extraordinary ability, obtaining national interest or two-year home residency requirement waivers, or obtaining visas for individuals who do not easily fall into any relevant visa category.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), focuses much of its enforcement efforts on employers. In the last five years, ICE has:
ICE’s worksite enforcement compels all employers to have comprehensive policies and procedures for ensuring that all employees are authorized to work in the United States. In addition, employers should regularly monitor these policies to ensure they are being followed and that they comply with all relevant anti-discrimination laws, which are monitored and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices.
Our Immigration Compliance and Worksite Enforcement attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients with the following:
Online-Only International Students May Lose U.S. Visa Status — Analysis and Impact
July 9, 2020
U.S. Supreme Court Determines Action to Rescind DACA was Arbitrary and Capricious
June 19, 2020
DHS Announces Flexibility in Form I-9 “Physical Presence” Requirement During COVID-19
March 20, 2020
Employer Update: DHS Extends Temporary Protected Status and Work Authorization for El Salvador, Haiti, Sudan, and Nicaragua
March 12, 2019
Increased Immigration Worksite Enforcement Looming in 2018
October 30, 2017