Former Government Officials Discuss What Happens After Election Day
As we look ahead to 2021 and a new administration and Congress, a fair employment-based immigration system is integral to meet labor demands and build a competitive and innovative workforce. This informative panel will outline what employers can expect from the incoming Biden-Harris administration and how this could reshape U.S. immigration policy over the next four years.
Workplace immigration has been at the forefront of the national dialogue. As our workforces have navigated new challenges and changes, visa programs that allow organizations to hire, transfer and retain top talent remain critical. This year, the business community has seen travel restrictions and expedited non-immigrant visa regulations issued at a rapid rate, underscoring the need for a modern workplace immigration system that allows employers to access top global talent while also protecting workers.
This engaging panel brings together former policy experts from the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations for a timely discussion on the potential immigration agenda of President-elect Joe Biden, as well as the future of workplace immigration policy in the U.S.
Learning Objectives:
- What’s ahead for the future of U.S. immigration policy.
- What employers can expect from the incoming Biden administration in 2021 and beyond.
- What do employers need to know about potential changes to U.S. immigration policy.
Emilie Hyams
Emilie Hyams is the founder of Immigration Strategies, LLC, a D.C.-based consulting firm that engages in advocacy to protect the rights of immigrants on behalf of national non-profit organizations. Previously, Emilie was the Counselor to the Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Emilie also served as Counsel to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in New York, specializing in immigration and homeland security matters. Prior to entering the public sector, Emilie was an associate attorney with the global immigration law firm, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, representing companies and individuals in U.S. immigration legal matters. Emilie has a Juris Doctor from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish literature from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Her dedication to the immigration field began over 20 years ago during an inspiring college internship, and her passion for assisting immigrants fulfill their potential was stoked as a child by learning of her own mother’s immigrant story.
Robert C. Divine
Robert C. Divine leads the Global Immigration Group of Baker Donelson, a law firm of 700 lawyers and public policy advisors with offices in 22 U.S. cities. Mr. Divine served from July 2004 until November 2006 as Chief Counsel and for a time Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). He is the author of Immigration Practice, a 1,600 page practical treatise on all aspects of U.S. immigration law now in its Fifteenth Edition (see www.jurispub.com). He has practiced immigration law since 1986 and has served as Chair of various committees of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Leon Rodriguez
As former federal prosecutor and leader of multiple federal and local agencies, clients look to Leon to give them direct advice on the risks related to investigations, to give them guidance on responding to investigations, to advocate for an optimal resolution, or to aggressively litigate their matters to positive outcomes.
Leon is a founding member of the firm's Immigration and Compliance specialty team. He has helped clients understand this rapidly changing and increasingly risk-laden area. Leon has assisted a number of clients with I-9 audits, training on best I-9 practices, and negotiating with government authorities when enforcement events arise. When clients have difficulties obtaining visas to travel to or remain in the US, he assists them either by negotiating with government authorities or by bringing litigation to secure a positive outcome to their case.
In his practice, Leon draws upon his foundational training and experience as a litigator and investigator, primarily gained as a federal and state prosecutor, along with his wide variety of substantive experiences secured through high-level government leaderships posts. From 2014 to 2017, Leon served as the Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), following a more than two decade career as a prosecutor, law firm partner, and government agency leader. From 2011 to 2014, Leon served as the Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. This diverse range of experiences make him most effective for multidisciplinary matters involving multiple and serious risk vectors for clients.
Leon serves as chair of Seyfarth Government Relations Policy Group and works with clients to develop multifaceted strategies to achieve desired public policy outcomes. A veteran of many congressional hearings, he also assists clients who either have been summoned to testify or provide documents before congressional committees. Leon has also handled interdisciplinary problems requiring an attorney with extensive and diverse experience in litigation and investigations, in interacting with the government at all levels, and interacting with media and external stakeholders.
Leon is also chair of the firm's Health Care Regulatory and Compliance group, and a co-chair of the Health Care Privacy, Security and HIPAA group. He assists firm clients with complex and novel HIPAA questions. Leon also counsels and assists clients who have experienced data breaches or otherwise under investigation by the Department of Health and Human Service Office for Civil Rights.
Leon enjoys Seyfarth's collegial environment across its international services, and the firm's commitment to using innovative delivery and pricing approaches to deliver consistently positive outcomes for clients.