Introduction
John Sandweg leads the Cross-Border Risks team focusing on complex international challenges involving issues related to cross-border business, immigration, and national security.
My focus
As the leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, I focus on complex national security, immigration, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) compliance matters. I also assist with international criminal matters and independent compliance reviews for individuals and companies in the U.S. and abroad. In this capacity, I advise individuals, businesses, governments, and political leaders on how best to achieve their most important objectives.
I tap into my years of experience in leadership positions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DHS to provide my clients with a unique perspective and strategic advice to ensure compliance with cross-border laws and regulations. I also draw on this experience to help individuals and companies to achieve cross-border investment objectives and overcome barriers to market access.
In my role as the Acting Director of ICE, I led approximately 20,000 employees in every state and 47 countries in the agency's mission to enhance public safety and border security through the enforcement of federal border control, customs, trade, and immigration laws. I prioritized ICE’s intellectual property enforcement and cybersecurity efforts and worked to improve statistical transparency regarding immigration enforcement.
As the Acting General Counsel of DHS, I served as the chief legal officer for the Department, advising the Secretary and the Department’s senior leadership on all significant legal, policy, and operational issues. Prior to this role, I served as counselor where I provided strategic advice and counsel on operational and policy direction and was a principal architect of the DHS’s immigration, border security, and law enforcement policy.
In the news
- CNN
Anderson Cooper 360
June 9, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins this broadcast for a conversation on how the current situation in Los Angeles and ICE’s strategy fit within past precedent.
- CNN
CNN news central
June 6, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins this broadcast for a conversation on the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador to the US, and the two new criminal charges that have been brought against him in the Middle District of Tennessee.
- MSNBC
MSNBC reports
April 29, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins this broadcast for a conversation on the typical process for deporting migrants with children who are US citizens, following the removal of three American children who were deported with their mothers, one of whom is sick with stage four cancer.
- MSNBC
Ana Cabrera reports
March 28, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins this broadcast for a conversation on the State Department revoking at least 300 visas of students who engaged in the pro-Palestinian movement and federal agents’ arrest of a Tufts University student.
- MSNBC
MSNBC reports
March 26, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the following broadcast for conversations on the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members
- CNN
CNN news central
March 25, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the following broadcast for conversations on the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
- MSNBC
Chris Jansing Reports
March 24, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the following broadcast for conversations on the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
- MSNBC
Ana Cabrera reports
March 17, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the broadcast for a conversation on the Trump administration allegedly ignoring a court order to halt the deportations of almost 300 Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador.
- CNN
CNN news central
March 14, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigation & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the broadcast for a conversation on the administration’s request that the Supreme Court step in to enforce the president’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. John also discusses how the administration is expected to invoke wartime authority to speed up its mass deportation pledge.
- CNN
CNN news central
Feb 26, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the broadcast for a conversation on the Trump administration’s new database aimed at registering undocumented immigrants. John discusses how, although the database will put pressure on migrant communities to leave voluntarily, it violates the basic tenets of the right to avoid self-incrimination.
- CNN
CNN news central
Feb 25, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, joins the broadcast for a conversation on the status and pace of deportations under the new administration. John discusses that he anticipates the administration will shift tactics to enlist more state and local officers and additional federal agencies to focus on immigration.
- CBS News
CBS evening news
Feb 10, 2025In this segment covering the deportation of migrants through the use of military transport jets, Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, discusses the unprecedented nature of the situation based on his prior role as Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- CNN
News central
Jan 28, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, joins the program to discuss a video released by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at an immigration raid in New York City.
- NPR Morning Edition
President moves ahead with plans to deport record numbers of migrants
Jan 27, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, joins the program to discuss some key questions related to President Trump’s mass deportation plans.
- NPR
Trump’s immigration orders are a blueprint for sweeping policy changes
Jan 27, 2025This article covering President Trump’s framing of illegal immigration as a national security threat includes commentary from Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team. John notes that the administration’s potential use of military resources and the Alien Enemies Act to bypass immigration courts could make the prospect of mass deportations more of a realistic possibility.
- CBS Mornings
Understanding ICE raids
Jan 23, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, joins the program to discuss what ICE raids might look like, particularly in cities and states that are pushing back on compliance with the administration’s deportation efforts.
- MSNBC
Ana Cabrera reports
Jan 21, 2025Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, joins the program to discuss President Trump’s executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern border, noting some logistical and legal challenges of mass deportations.
- Politico
New York City Mayor Eric Adams—his own security clearance in question—says NYPD on high alert
Oct 2, 2024This article covers New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment and security clearances. Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partners John Sandweg and Joe Maher are quoted in the coverage discussing factors that will likely be considered in determining whether Adams’ security clearances should be revoked or suspended due to the allegations.
- CBS mornings
Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner
June 4, 2024John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, joined this broadcast segment to discuss President Biden’s anticipated executive order to partially shut down asylum processing along the US-Mexico border and how the executive order could make a significant difference in bringing more order to the border.
- ABC News
He says the US government is ‘hell-bent’ on taking what’s left
Dec 20, 2023This article featuring an interview with Julian Rudolph, whose father murdered his mother in 2016, covers an ongoing dispute related to insurance policy proceeds and other assets seized by the Justice Department. Chicago partner Chris Hotaling and Washington DC partner John Sandweg, both of the Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice, are mentioned for representing Julian and his sister, AnaBianca, in seeking to recover proceeds and assets.
- CNN
Anna Sorokin has invented her next identity: Asylum seeker
June 23, 2023Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg is quoted in this article, which profiles client Anna Sorokin. John says the team remains optimistic that the Board of Immigration Appeals will agree that Sorokin’s home confinement sentence is unnecessary and that a social media ban infringes on her right to free speech.
- Roll Call
Decrease in border crossings hasn’t slowed criticism
June 21, 2023Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of the Cross-Border Risks team, is quoted in this article covering recent developments at the U.S.-Mexico border following the expiration of pandemic-era asylum restrictions, known as Title 42.
- Global News (Canada)
Global migrant crisis worsens during the pandemic
This broadcast report on refugee crisis areas around the globe quotes Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner and former acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement John Sandweg on resources that are needed at the US-Mexico border and the need for countries to work together.Jan 2, 2022 - NBC News
'I wish I could switch places with you': By text U.S. veteran tries to help Afghan friend escape Kabul
This article about an Afghan interpreter who worked with the U.S. and is stranded with his family in Kabul quotes Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, who formerly served as acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and acting General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, on documentation for vetting and approving individuals who get on flights to the U.S.Aug 19, 2021 - CNN
New Day with John Berman and Brianna Keilar
Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, who formerly served as acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and acting General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, joined the program to discuss the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, after more than 200,000 migrants were taken into U.S. custody in July.Aug 13, 2021 - SC Magazine
‘We desperately need a director’: Cyber advocates sound off as senator delays CISA confirmation
Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, leader of NP’s Cross-Border Risks team, is quoted in this article covering the delayed confirmation of Jen Easterly to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.June 24, 2021 - Government Executive
Biden's DHS Pick Defends Ethics Record, Promises Morale Boost for Workforce
This article on Biden’s pick to lead the U.S. Homeland Security Department quotes Washington, D.C. Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner and former acting General Counsel for DHS John Sandweg on how DHS career workers know it’s their job to help the president execute policies, regardless of their political views.Jan 19, 2021 - Law360
Nixon Peabody snags former DHS official to lead new team
This article quotes CEO and Managing Partner Andrew Glincher and Washington, D.C., Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, discussing John’s arrival at Nixon Peabody to head up the firm’s new cross-border risks team.Sep 11, 2019 - Reuters Legal
Career tracker Lawyers on the move
This roundup of key personnel moves in the legal industry features the addition of Washington, DC, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner John Sandweg and his legal team. They are spearheading NP’s new Cross-Border Risks team.Sep 9, 2019 - Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody adds ex-ICE director amid white collar swoon
Sep 4, 2019This article highlights the arrival of Washington DC Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner John Sandweg, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
John comes to NP after leading his own boutique firm, Frontier Solutions. He joins NP along with five team members: counsel Rachel Winkler, associate Catherine Ingram Hunstad, legal assistant Tracey Ford, and investigative directors Jerry Robinette and Miguel Unzueta. John and his five colleagues will spearhead our firm’s new Cross-Border Risks team.
This article also quotes Washington DC Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Adam Tarosky on current trends in False Claims Act prosecutions.
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
Education
Arizona State University, B.A.
Arizona State University School of Law, J.D.
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 in the field of Immigration Law
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllRobert Fisher
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1335
- rfisher@nixonpeabody.com
-
Hannah Bornstein
Partner / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1217
- hbornstein@nixonpeabody.com
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