- Handled more than 10 workplace raids by the Department of Homeland Security. Provided immediate and hands-on advice during actual raid, as well as follow-up.
- Has managed over 35 Department of Homeland Security related subpoenas, audits and investigations.
- Managed more than 17 Social Security Administration audits; coordinated efforts of corporate record keeping, hiring procedures, verification programs, etc.
- Regularly establishes 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, enforcement.
- Undertook internal investigations on behalf of clients in an effort to assess compliance with immigration, employment and discrimination laws; address issues of personnel files, documentation retention policies, potential liability arising from investigations, privacy issues, workplace monitoring, and work with the company to develop new policies and procedures to avoid losses and/or damages.
- Regularly provides employment-related immigration training to human resource and legal staff of major companies.Provides outsourcing advice to clients in ways that protect the fluid movement of knowledge and key people.
- Liaises on a national and local level with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (including the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcements and the Bureau of Citizen Immigration Services), the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Member of select national American Immigration Lawyers Association committees and regular lecturer on behalf of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as other organizations.
- Regular speaker at corporate and association-sponsored seminars.
- Advises on national and state level legislative advice and drafting expertise on legislation related to employers, employer compliance and employer sanction issues.
- Manages over 1000 immigration cases per year for over 120 companies regarding employees from over 40 countries.
- Provides investigation, assessment of facts and legal opinion regarding wrongful hire claims in state court.
- Provided assessment and written opinion in wrongful death case where decedent was allegedly an illegal alien. In light of damages issues, and allegations of inflammatory evidence, statements were used in conjunction with Motion in Limine.
- Worked with defense counsel in federal investigation by U.S. attorney of lawyer allegedly abusing non-immigrant visa options and processes, and possible RICO claim.
- Provided expert opinion of immigration issues, options, law and restrictions on behalf of child protection services seeking to keep minor as a ward of the state so that medical treatment can proceed in the U.S. and not return to U.S. citizen parents in Africa
- Phone: +1 404 881 7375
- Email: eileen.scofield@alston.com
Eileen Scofield has over 25 years of experience concentrating on immigration law and related legal matters for U.S. and foreign-based clients. She has successfully managed over 35 Department of Homeland Security (ICE) subpoenas, audits, and investigations on behalf of various clients. She has also provided advice to clients on audit response, internal processing, follow-up, and conclusion.
Eileen is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers 2010 and 2012 and was named one of “Georgia’s Best Lawyers.” She is a member of the National Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee and chairperson of E-Verify National Liaison Committee. She has been published in Employment Law360 and quoted in the U.S. News and World Report. She has been invited to work with various DHS departments, such as ICE. She received her J.D. in 1985 from the University of Georgia School of Law, where she was a Hatton Lovejoy Scholarship recipient. She received her B.A. in 1981 from the University of Hawaii.
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Advisories June 6, 2025Immigration Advisory | Prepare for U.S. Entry Restrictions for Nationals of Designated Countries
New travel restrictions could mean new issues for employers hiring foreign nationals. Our Immigration Team outlines the scope of the restrictions, key exceptions, and recommended actions.
Advisories June 6, 2025Immigration Advisory | Prepare for U.S. Entry Restrictions for Nationals of Designated CountriesNew travel restrictions could mean new issues for employers hiring foreign nationals. Our Immigration Team outlines the scope of the restrictions, key exceptions, and recommended actions.
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Press Release June 5, 2025Alston & Bird Continues to Increase Rankings in Chambers USA 2025Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 77 practice rankings and 164 leading lawyer listings.Press Release June 5, 2025Alston & Bird Continues to Increase Rankings in Chambers USA 2025Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 77 practice rankings and 164 leading lawyer listings.
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Advisories April 2, 2025Immigration Advisory | Court Reinstates TPS for Venezuelans During Pendency of Court Proceedings
Our Immigration Team explores a federal court order that halts the Trump Administration’s move to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the United States.
Advisories April 2, 2025Immigration Advisory | Court Reinstates TPS for Venezuelans During Pendency of Court ProceedingsOur Immigration Team explores a federal court order that halts the Trump Administration’s move to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the United States.
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Webinar March 26, 2025AI Legal Insights: Shaping Tomorrow – Program 6Join us for the sixth program in The AI Legal Insights: Shaping Tomorrow Webinar Series. This discussion, hosted by EU, UK, and U.S.-qualified attorneys will explore the changing landscape and regulations concerning the use of AI in the workplace and how to navigate and overcome the challenges it presents to drive efficiency in your business.Webinar March 26, 2025AI Legal Insights: Shaping Tomorrow – Program 6Join us for the sixth program in The AI Legal Insights: Shaping Tomorrow Webinar Series. This discussion, hosted by EU, UK, and U.S.-qualified attorneys will explore the changing landscape and regulations concerning the use of AI in the workplace and how to navigate and overcome the challenges it presents to drive efficiency in your business.
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Advisories March 21, 2025Immigration Advisory | Trump Administration Offers New Immigration Updates and DetailsOur Immigration Team inspects the latest guidance and new policies from the Trump Administration and how they will affect travel for U.S. citizens, immigrants, and visitors.Advisories March 21, 2025Immigration Advisory | Trump Administration Offers New Immigration Updates and DetailsOur Immigration Team inspects the latest guidance and new policies from the Trump Administration and how they will affect travel for U.S. citizens, immigrants, and visitors.
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Advisories March 13, 2025Immigration Advisory | Mandatory Alien Registration Law Going into Effect – DHS Revives Old Immigration LawOur Immigration Team examines the registration requirements of a law that targets noncitizens who spend more than 30 days in the United States.Advisories March 13, 2025Immigration Advisory | Mandatory Alien Registration Law Going into Effect – DHS Revives Old Immigration LawOur Immigration Team examines the registration requirements of a law that targets noncitizens who spend more than 30 days in the United States.
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Advisories March 11, 2025Immigration Advisory | DOJ to Prioritize Immigration Enforcement and ReportingOur Immigration Team investigates a new Department of Justice memo that expands immigration enforcement to include all available criminal statutes, not just immigration laws.Advisories March 11, 2025Immigration Advisory | DOJ to Prioritize Immigration Enforcement and ReportingOur Immigration Team investigates a new Department of Justice memo that expands immigration enforcement to include all available criminal statutes, not just immigration laws.
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Speaking Engagement February 18, 2025Know Your Rights: Training for Employers & Employees in the Event of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement VisitKerri Griggs and Eileen Scofield will speak at the “Know Your Rights: Training for Employers & Employees in the Event of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Visit” webinar hosted by the International Dairy Foods Association.Speaking Engagement February 18, 2025Know Your Rights: Training for Employers & Employees in the Event of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement VisitKerri Griggs and Eileen Scofield will speak at the “Know Your Rights: Training for Employers & Employees in the Event of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Visit” webinar hosted by the International Dairy Foods Association.
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General Publications March 2025“New H-1B Rule Aims to Modernize H-1B Visa Program,” The Journal of Federal Agency Action, March 2025.This article discusses new compliance considerations from the recent changes to the H-1B and F-1 visa programs from the Department of Homeland Security.General Publications March 2025“New H-1B Rule Aims to Modernize H-1B Visa Program,” The Journal of Federal Agency Action, March 2025.This article discusses new compliance considerations from the recent changes to the H-1B and F-1 visa programs from the Department of Homeland Security.
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Speaking Engagement February 10-12, 2025National Council of Farmer Cooperative – 96th Annual MeetingEileen Scofield and Kristi Boswell will speak at multiple sessions on February 12 at the National Council of Farmer Cooperative’s annual meeting.Speaking Engagement February 10-12, 2025National Council of Farmer Cooperative – 96th Annual MeetingEileen Scofield and Kristi Boswell will speak at multiple sessions on February 12 at the National Council of Farmer Cooperative’s annual meeting.
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
Education
- University of Georgia (J.D., 1985)
- University of Hawaii (B.A., 1981)
Memberships
- Childspring International
- Gigi’s Playhouse / Down Syndrome Awareness Centers
- Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Section Advisory Board
- National Chair of the Federal Bar Association's Immigration Law Section