Immigration

Some years ago, a distinguished federal judge noted ". . .the striking resemblance between some of the laws [the court is] called upon to interpret and King Minos' labyrinth in ancient Crete . . ." He concluded that "the tax laws and the Immigration and Nationality Acts are examples [the court has] cited of Congress's ingenuity in passing statutes certain to accelerate the aging process of judges." Mindful of this complexity and of the increasing global nature of business and clients' activities, Sullivan & Worcester brings immigration law expertise to — and in support of — its many other services through its Immigration Practice Group. Focusing solely on U.S. (federal) immigration law, the Group seeks to integrate highly customized strategic planning and tactical implementions into immigration solutions for businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs and the clients of consulting attorneys.

See Immigration Practice Group's Practice Profile (PDF) for more detail

Lawrence Bastone's Biography (PDF)

Lawrence Bastone's Publications

Representative Client Work

Integrating Immigration Into Larger Business Issues (Cross-Services)

• A prospective merger or acquisition where choice of deal structure may have different immigration implications (e.g., asset only purchase vs. acquisition of stock), or post-close indemnification protection against "inherited" (latent) I-9 defects
• A human resources function where employer sanctions and I-9 compliance are issues of concern, or where termination of an employee or key executive may have immigration implications
• A corporate reorganization where key, professional foreign national (visaed) employees might be inadvertently affected
• The transfer of groups of key staff from abroad necessary to the setup and launch of a new business venture or subsidiary in the United States by a foreign business or individual
• The establishment of a formal corporate immigration policy, or training of in-house staff for the management of immigration matters
• Assessment for immigration viability of foreign students and professionals who might be under consideration for employment in the United States prior to an offer being made
• Ascertaining the degree to which different immigration options may dictate the nature and form of an investment in the United States
• Ascertaining a prospective or current employee's viability for indefinite (i.e., Green Card-based) employment, as distinct from viability for temporary employment
• Determining how different visa statuses may impact a commercial or private lender's decision-making
• Ascertaining visa eligibility in advance of a decision to hire or transfer, as opposed to basing the decision solely on the basis of skill, expertise or convenience
• Ascertaining in advance the potential immigration consequences to an employee holding a Green Card who is scheduled for expatriate assignment outside the United States

Categories of Visa Services Available

• Temporary Work Permits for Professionals, Engineers, Scientists, Businesspersons, Academicians (H-1, O, NAFTA (TN), E-3) 
• Existing and "New Office" temporary Intracompany Transferees (L-1A, L-1B) and permanent Intracompany Transferees (EBP-1C) Intracompany Transferees (EBP-1C)
• PERM Labor Certifications (L/C) and Preference Petitions (EBP-2 & 3)
• L/C-Exempt Petitions for Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers/Teachers (EBP-1 & 2), National Interest (EBP-2)
• Trade and Investment-based Options (E-1, E-2, EBP-5) 
• Student, Summer Internship, and Business Training Options (F-1/OPT, J-1, H-3)
• Work Authorization (EAD), Advance Parole, Re-Entry Permits
• I-9 Audits, H/R Staff Training, Formulating Immigration Policies For Businesses 

Downloadable Process Charts and Resource Materials

Job/Skill-Based Lawful Permanent Resident ("LPR" or "Green Card")

Labor Certification ("LC"): Process and Strategies

Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas (B-1, B-2, "VWP," Others)

Temporary Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B) and The Labor Condition Application ("LCA")

Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas

Temporary Trade and Investment (E-1 and E-2) Visas

Exchange Visitors (J-1) and Section 212(e) Waivers (Of 2-Year Home Residence Requirement)

Family-Based Immigration

NAFTA TN "Professionals"