Immigration

/Overview

For more than 45 years, Nixon Peabody’s immigration team has provided timely, practical, and cost-effective solutions to help companies and foreign nationals achieve their business immigration goals. We help clients navigate the complex requirements of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Labor, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other key government agencies involved in the immigration process.

Our lawyers advise on the full range of employment-based immigration matters, including temporary work visas, permanent residence strategies, consular processing, adjustment of status, immigration policy development, and compliance. We have helped employers secure non-immigrant visas and employment-based green cards for current and prospective employees at every level, from entry-level professionals and recent graduates to CEOs, and for candidates from around the world. Our guidance extends through the full arc of the immigration process, from initial work authorization through permanent residence and naturalization. 

We are known for high-touch, responsive client service. Our team works closely with in-house counsel, HR professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and foreign national employees to provide clear guidance, proactive updates, and workforce planning and immigration strategy tailored to each client’s industry, workforce needs, and long-term business objectives. We also partner seamlessly with attorneys across Nixon Peabody’s full-service platform to deliver comprehensive counsel on related employment, corporate, tax, benefits, and compliance issues.

We also offer training programs tailored for general counsel, HR teams, and other stakeholders. These programs cover critical immigration topics and compliance obligations, I-9 requirements, and current enforcement trends, helping clients stay informed and prepared in a rapidly evolving enforcement and regulatory environment.

/Representative Experience

• Represented multinational businesses seeking to expand US operations in obtaining E-1, E2, and L-1 visas for critical foreign employees, including executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers
• Advised multinational clients on strategies for obtaining blanket L-1 qualification across worldwide subsidiaries, streamlining the transfer process for large, globally mobile workforces
• Secured H-1B visas and permanent resident status, including EB-2 and EB-3 petitions and PERM labor certification, for numerous professionals across manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and non-profit sectors 
• Obtained O-1 and EB-1 Extraordinary Ability status for researchers and scientists developing treatments for a variety of diseases and disorders, navigating complex evidentiary standards for clients with distinguished records of achievement
• Supported major hospital systems in sponsoring physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals for non-immigrant and immigrant status, including H-1B, TN, and Schedule A shortage occupation petitions
• Facilitated US employment of USMCA professionals in TN visa status, advising on eligible occupations, documentation requirements, and border/consular processing