Immigration

Our immigration practice is related to the movement of people, primarily in and out of the United States. We provide immigration-related counsel for multinational corporations, medical, financial and academic institutions, information technology providers and users, foreign investors, performers, professional athletes, manufacturers and individuals from many countries.  In addition, we work with companies to be sure that, whether through regular due diligence or acquisitions, corporate decisions are made in conjunction with the appropriate immigration standards and requirements.  Finally,  we also use our broad base of practical and legal knowledge to help corporate clients develop immigration/human resources policies that work best for them.

EXPERIENCE

• Recently handled over 30 workplace raids by the Department of Homeland Security; provided immediate and hands-on advice during actual raids, as well as follow-up
• Managed over 15 Social Security Administration audits within the last two years; coordinated efforts of corporate record keeping, hiring procedures, verification programs, among others 
• Regularly establish corporate policies and procedures in ongoing, restructuring and transactional situations, to both comply with the law and prepare for sensitive internal and external investigations related to hiring procedures, I-9 compliance, employment of foreign nationals, IRCA compliance and Office of Special Counsel national origin discrimination issues; address issues of philosophy, record keeping, documentation, compliance, documented use, penalties and enforcement
• Regularly provide employment related immigration training to human resource and legal staff of companies such as K Mart, UPS, Itron, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Duke Energy
• Provide “outsourcing” guidance and advice to clients to enable the fluid movement of knowledge and key people
• On national and state levels, provide legislative advice and drafting expertise on  proposed legislation related to employers, employer compliance and employer sanction issues
  

GLOBAL SERVICE

On an annual basis, we handle over 1,000 immigration cases for 120 companies and nationals of over 40 countries.  It is not only our goal to provide prompt, positive results, but to provide these results both in the most economically efficient manner as well as with full and complete service and support.

RECOGNITION

We have been included in The Best Lawyers in America and the Corporate Immigration chapter of Who’s Who Legal – The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.  We have made presentations to the U.S. House Committee on Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration law and policy and the practical business consequences.  One of our attorneys participates as one of only seven lawyers on the Business Immigration Committee, a think tank established to address business needs on national immigration policy programs.

SELECTING ALSTON & BIRD

Alston & Bird’s immigration attorneys use an approach of standardized services to meet our clients' cost management and predictability needs while providing high quality and appropriately customized legal services.