Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Immigration Law: A Practical Guide for Attorneys


The legal field often feels like it's always one step behind technological advancement, but it doesn't have to be. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer immigration attorneys powerful tools to streamline workflows, improve client service, and increase efficiency. Here's how you can practically implement AI into your immigration practice.

1. Automated Timeline Templates for Client Intake

One of the most time-consuming aspects of client onboarding is explaining the procedural timeline for various visa categories. AI can generate customized timeline templates for H-1B petitions, PERM labor certifications, adjustment of status applications, and other immigration processes.

This reduces hours of back-and-forth communication by providing clients with clear, professional timelines from the first interaction, immediately building trust and demonstrating preparedness. You can streamline time to answer clarifying questions, even utilizing those questions as a guide to revising the templates to make it clearer during the first few iterations of template distribution.

2. AI-Generated Intake Questionnaires

Most immigration cases require gathering extensive information from clients. AI can draft comprehensive intake questionnaires tailored to specific visa categories, ensuring you collect all necessary information from the start.

Questionnaires generated based on category reduce the risk of missing critical information while minimizing follow-up emails and delays. Complete information from the start enables more accurate case evaluations and stronger strategy development – always be sure to review and include other critical information that the AI tool may have missed.

3. Job Description Optimization for PERM Advertising

The PERM process requires condensing detailed Prevailing Wage Determination job descriptions into concise advertisement text. AI tools are great at this task once prompted, compressing lengthy job requirements into compliant ad copy.

AI can generate multiple compliant ad variations in minutes rather than hours, ensuring all recruitment materials align perfectly with the original job description while meeting DOL requirements. This dramatically reduces billable hours spent on administrative drafting tasks while maintaining consistency across all advertising materials. There may be other job descriptions that need compressing into ad text and vice versa. The good thing is that AI tools are there to do this in minutes, yielding efficiency in workflow.

4. Case Law and Precedent Research

AI-powered legal research tools can quickly identify relevant case law, AAO decisions, and policy memoranda applicable to your client's situation.

 AI tools can complete in minutes what might take hours through traditional research methods, uncovering relevant precedents and policy memoranda you might have otherwise missed. You can thereby build stronger, more persuasive legal arguments while staying current with rapidly changing immigration policies and judicial decisions. Please note this should never be a replacement to your own independent research processes, but rather a supplement.

 

Best Practices for AI Implementation

1. Always Review AI Output

AI is a tool, not a replacement for legal processes. Every document, timeline, or suggestion generated by AI must be carefully reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness to your client's specific situation. You remain professionally responsible for all work product as set out by your state bar code of ethics and conduct.

2. Protect Client Confidentiality and Data Privacy

Never input confidential client information into AI systems that aren't designed for secure legal work. Using public AI tools with client data violates ethical obligations and could compromise attorney-client privilege. Invest in AI tools specifically designed for legal practice with appropriate security measures or anonymize information before using general AI platforms.

3. Commit to Practice and Experimentation

This blog post was inspired by a friend's insight about the importance of actively engaging with AI tools to close the gap between your current knowledge and AI's full capabilities. His blog post, “Some Recurring Themes for Navigating Generative AI” emphasizes to not wait for the perfect use case. Rather, start small, experiment with different prompts and applications, and learn through practice, sharing what you are learning along the way (just as this blog post is doing). The attorneys who thrive will be those who develop fluency with these tools.

4. Develop Effective Prompting Skills

The quality of AI output depends heavily on the quality of your input. Learn to create clear, specific prompts that include relevant context, desired format, and any constraints. Practice is key, practice makes perfect. Treat AI interactions like delegating to a smart but inexperienced associate: the more detailed your instructions, the better the result.

5. Integrate AI Gradually into Your Workflow

Don't try to revolutionize your entire practice overnight or think you have to create your own robust AI powered system before you can say you are using AI effectively. Start with one or two specific tasks where AI can provide immediate value. I specifically used the example of AI assisting with shortening text to show that while it may be a simple task, it still adds value to my practice by saving time and being efficient. Master those applications, measure the results, and then expand to other areas. This incremental approach reduces disruption and allows you to refine your processes.

6. Stay Informed About AI Developments

The AI landscape evolves rapidly. Dedicate time to staying current with new tools, features, and best practices specific to legal practice. Join professional communities, attend CLEs on legal technology, and share experiences with colleagues.

 

What are ways you are using AI in your practice? Do share here.

 Funmi 

Saturday, September 20, 2025

The American Dream Downtrodden in the Details: Why the New H-1B Fee Won't Survive Legal Scrutiny


Growing up, I heard many stories about the American Dream from my parents, who arrived in the United States from Nigeria in the 1980’s on student visas. It seems, based on their stories, that back then the pathway to permanent residency was clearer and far less contentious. While my parents never participated in the H-1B program - it wasn't created until 1990 – one fundamental truth remains: America's strength has always come from welcoming those who seek to contribute, whether through student visas in the 1980s or H-1B visas today.

The ties that bind us as humans should bring us closer together, not drive us apart. This growing divide in the country feels pointless when we consider that most of the issues raising dissent have common ground solutions. Instead of creating barriers to entry through exorbitant fees, the system could be fine-tuned, making it more equitable while still protecting American wages and jobs, and preserving the talent that seeks to call America home.

If care is not taken, America risks accelerating a talent exodus that will diminish its competitive advantage for years to come. True national security comes from economic strength and innovation leadership, not from pricing out the very minds that have driven American breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and research. Is America really the land of the free and the home of the brave if it cowardly retreats behind prohibitive barriers instead of competing on merit and opportunity?

Why This Rule Cannot Stand

The recently announced $100,000 H-1B entry fee represents more than just bad policy, it's likely illegal. Any legal challenge to this proclamation would have strong grounds for securing a preliminary injunction based on three compelling arguments.

1. Likelihood of Success on the Merits

Administrative Procedure Act Violations

The most apparent legal flaw lies in the process itself. Rather than issuing a Presidential Proclamation late on Friday, September 19th, to take effect just two days later Sunday, September 21st, such a drastic rule change should have been published as a proposed regulation in the Federal Register with opportunity for public notice and comment, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The APA mandates that proposed regulations be published, allowing the public and affected parties to submit comments. The government would then review all comments and respond when creating the final regulation. This proclamation's complete bypass of the notice-and-comment process constitutes a clear APA violation and renders the rule arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with law. Of course, the government’s retort could hinge on the Proclamation being in the interest of national security, but if the grounds for such national security concerns are solely based on what is written in the Proclamation, such retort would not pass muster. More on this in the next paragraph.

Existing Legal Framework Already Addresses Concerns

The Proclamation's justifications are hollow when examined against existing law. We already have extensive provisions that require employers pay prevailing wages specifically to protect against depression of wages and working conditions for U.S. workers. Moreover, enforcement mechanisms are already in place, including investigations by USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit and administrative proceedings by the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. I wrote about this last year here .

Statutory Fee Limitations

Perhaps most alarming is the Proclamation's violation of INA Section 286(m) (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)), which is interpreted to state that immigration fees cannot exceed the amount needed to recover the costs of adjudication. A $100,000 fee bears no rational relationship to processing costs and clearly violates this statutory mandate. 

Edited as of 9/21: The White House has since (rather erratically) published further clarification on the scope and parameters of the Proclamation. 

A fellow immigration attorney stated succinctly in their Linkedin post that "the Proclamation was drafted badly by someone who either can't tell the difference or wants to obfuscate the difference between a visa petition to USCIS, a visa application at a U.S.  consulate abroad, and an application for admission at a port of entry..." and such confusion could mean the difference between having presidential authority to impose the ban and creating a proclamation that violates proper administrative procedure. Hence the current back peddling to limit (read "clarify") the scope to next year's filings (amongst other things). 


2. Irreparable Injury

Demonstrating irreparable harm should be straightforward. The $100,000 per-employee fee is financially devastating for small and medium-sized businesses, colleges, universities, and nonprofits. Many organizations simply cannot absorb such costs, meaning they will lose access to employees with critical expertise, knowledge, and experience.

The ripple effects would run rampant: businesses will lose revenue, innovation will stagnate, research will suffer, and technological development will slow. For startups and emerging companies, this fee could prove fatal. Universities conducting cutting-edge research will find themselves unable to attract international talent essential to maintaining America's competitive edge.

3. Public Interest

The government will struggle to argue that this policy serves the public interest. The proclamation relies on unsupported nativist arguments that H-1B workers "take jobs" from U.S. workers, claims that ignore decades of economic research showing the job-creating and wage-enhancing effects of skilled immigration.

America's economic dominance stems partly from its ability to attract and retain global talent. This fee doesn't protect American workers; it rather weakens American competitiveness while other nations eagerly welcome the innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs it is turning away.

The Bigger Picture

This proclamation represents more than immigration policy; it's a fundamental question about America's identity. The legal arguments against this fee are strong, but the moral questions echo louder. America has always been at its best, it has embraced talent from around the world, recognizing that diversity of thought and experience drives innovation and prosperity.

The American Dream my parents pursued in the 1980s shouldn't become a luxury item available only to those who can afford a six-figure entry fee.

This rule won't survive legal scrutiny, and it shouldn't survive our moral scrutiny either. 


P.S. If you found this blog post insightful and want to hear me yap more about this topic, I'm giving a talk in collaboration with Immigration Question on Wednesday, September 24. Register here 



Funmi Oke 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The Best of Lagos: Food Edition

 This year for my birthday, I decided to extend my stay in Lagos, past the typical departure period of the average 'IJGB' that spends time in Nigeria's most populous city and economic epicenter for the holidays (apparently , if you're not from Lagos you can't call yourself an IJGB, but for all intents and purposes, here we are). Anyway, I stayed in Lagos, Nigeria till around February 8th , essentially meaning that I spent all of January and first week of February in one of my favorite cities, and got to slowly try many great food spots along the way (thanks to the exchange rate that was very much in my favor up until a few days before my departure, my pockets did not feel it as much even as the price points of the restaurants visited have risen). 

I really enjoy slow travel and take every opportunity to do so when I can. 


Doing so for Lagos via my extended stay was a no-brainer (read: there was actually alot of internal back and forth regarding this decision, but I'm glad I decided to stay in the end - typing this as 3-4 inches of snow has fallen in Chicago, IL).


 How was my experience? Words truly cannot express how much I enjoyed myself. Waking up most mornings to run with my friend Veno and her dog at Eko Atlantic Boardwalk, having slow mornings (due to the time difference, I worked in the evenings), the weather, the interesting environment, and of course, the food. 


                                                          Which is why we are here. 

I wanted to take time to share the restaurants, eateries, food delivery orders that I tried while in Lagos that deserve mention due to the quality - especially those where the meal and/or dining experience matched the price point (or even at times where I felt as if I underpaid). This discussion is worth having because in Lagos, there are equally as much terrible low quality, low experience restaurants as there is high quality, high experience. A few conversations and reading online reviews would allow you sift accordingly, which is what I did. Here are the top food experiences I had while in Lagos, in no particular order and not limited to a specific dining type: 


Stories Lagos (Lekki) 

Their drinks are amazing. Probably one of the best drinks I had in Lagos. I had to message my friend that recommended the spot to me that I was having a great time, because literally that's how I felt in the moment. I had wings and fries, and that was also good but the kicker, literally, was their very tasty slow burn drink, the Zombie.


Grey Matter Social Space (Victoria Island)

I kid you not when I say that I planned a second visit simply to get the same meal I ordered the first time I visited, because it was that good. A big kudos to the chef. Grey Matter offers a (what I would consider) Michelin rated food menu at a quarter of the price. The meal I had to circle back for was the Suya Prawns and battered fries (p.s. don't get the plantain fritters - it is not as edible as the creatives that came up with the dish would think). The jumbo prawns came in a very healthy serving size - tbh they were quite generous with the size of the prawns, I felt like I underpaid. & Their drinks? having a standard tasting pina colada (or two) was not a bad way to top off my experience. 

Slow

Anyone that knows me knows that this is my go-to spot. My baby. I have an affinity for Slow because if you're looking for a standard meal, at standard price, without the frills and thrills (annoying service, crowd, etc), SLow is your spot. Plus they have a great menu, tempting you to get all parts of a course lunch or dinner. I did this with a friend, and it was the best money I've ever spent on a three-course dinner. Try the Cocoslow (it's even nonalcoholic!), you will thank me later. 

Ofe Uto 

Given my diet, I primarily stayed away from swallows/heavy foods this Christmas/my extended stay, but since I heard so much about Ofe Uto, I had to try it. I am a novice to the eastern soups/dishes so I was a bit lost with the menu, but thanks to Google, I ended up with the Ofe Owerri and eba. I told myself I'll just have a few bites once my food arrived but ended up almost finishing the dish. It was that good. I had to force myself to take the rest home to avoid overfeeding. pro tip: order to-go, because the dining experience was not that great. 

Bature Brewery

Great spot for after work drinks and a great vibe. Their grilled fish is lovely. Not too spicy. I don't have much to say about their drinks though, but dining experience is great if you are the outdoor lounge and vibe type. 

Salmas

Their hummus is mad. Also a great outdoor lounge and vibe dining experience, as they are located by a body of water. Good luck getting a seating by the water during peak hours, though, as they are always reserved. 

Their Salma Colada is great. 


Indomie Cafe

One of my favorite fast-food spots in Lagos. I love their variety of Indo-Mie. I put my friend on to it, and she really enjoyed her meal and was happy for the recommendation. 

Definitely try the Prawn-Mie. 

Can I stop here and say that the amount of seafood options readily available for consumption in Lagos (goes without saying) is every pescatarian's dream 


Gourmet Twist 

Their banana bread lured me in, but their jollof rice and turkey meal pack kept me a loyal patron. Another "fast food?" spot (I put the question there because there are a lot of restaurants that kind of fall in between - meaning they are not low quality enough to be considered fast food but are also not on the fine dining level. I actually love these kinds of restaurants in Lagos - I believe they are called pick and go canteens (Black Bell, Foodies, My Food by Hilda), where they offer an assortment of Nigerian dishes at market price. Gourmet Twist is great addition to these (although I think their menu is not as expansive). Their meal packs are time friendly, affordable, and delicious. 


Papa's Grill

small chops heaven. I need the puff-puff recipe. 


500 Chow

I ordered from here 3 times a week for their akara and pap. They made the best in the city, and that's from me trying two to three other vendors. 

I love akara and pap, so thank you, 500 Chow. 


Fresh County

I primarily patronize them for their juices. They had great juices. 


Brisk Lagos

Enjoyable dining experience. I have them on my list primarily for their bread and butter. 


Altogether, the Lagos food scene is quite the experience. It always gives not here for a long time, but a good time, so hopefully by the time you decide to try a few options from the list, the spot is still thriving and hasn't decreased in value, cut their quality, or is not altogether shut down. 



Funmi Oke

Friday, January 3, 2025

A Lesson In Love



written on 12/23

This blog will be short and sweet because it’s the holidays and I felt discussing the movie “Christmas in Lagos” and the takeaway from it would be a great way to wrap my blogging up for the year in a nice and neat bow (all pun intended).


Christmas in Lagos, while a bit choppy and holey was a fun, feel-good film that I liken very much to those cheesy American Hallmark Christmas movies. The key takeaway that I really loved and took note of was how the protagonist, despite her strong interest in her best friend, ended up by herself on New Years day -  her saying "happy new year fiyinfoluwa" was the explicit evidence of such. This conclusion is quite atypical to the standard rom-com narratives we are used to: best friend boy meets best friend girl, best friend boy eventually realizes it was best friend girl all along and they live happily ever after. Quite the contrary, in this film and despite the protagonist’s efforts, best friend boy sticks with his love interest, and they end up happily ever after. The writers definitely ensured to emphasize as a side note that platonic friendships between opposite sexes do exist, and although there may be a thin line between platonic and romantic, sometimes that demarcation is striking, as was the case in this film. 


Now going back to the key takeaway, of it being ok to be by yourself. I'm always a fan of films that don't force a love interest on the protagonist (the last film I remember watching whereby this was the case is Frozen). They didn't have her meet a new potential lover on New Year's Eve nor did they have her rekindle anything with anyone. I even took note that while she had all her family and friends around her, she didnt have a best friend side kick wishing her a happy new year, based on "we're all we’ve got" (as tends to be the case when both friends are single) None of these scenarios were the case for the protagonist, and the film emphasized that this was OK. We don't discuss much about how to treat not being partnered in adult female spaces. Sometimes even the forcing can put women in less-than-optimal situations, sometimes wholly unfavorable to them. 


The protagonist's quiet but resolute "Happy New Year" to herself is a beautiful moment of self-love and acceptance. It reflects a truth that often gets overshadowed in romantic narratives: our value is not determined by our relationship status. Happiness can come from within, from the connections we have with family and friends, and from the journeys we undertake on our own.

This portrayal of self-sufficiency and contentment in solitude is a powerful message. In a society that often glorifies romantic relationships as the pinnacle of personal fulfillment, “Christmas in Lagos” reminds us that being single is not a failure or a void that needs to be filled. It is simply another state of being, one that can be just as meaningful and fulfilling as being partnered.

As we wrap up the year and look toward new beginnings, let this film’s message inspire us to embrace where we are in life. Whether partnered or single, surrounded by loved ones or spending time alone, it’s important to recognize that joy and fulfillment are not exclusive to one particular path. Love, in its many forms, starts with how we care for and cherish ourselves.

So here’s to a new year of learning, growing, and loving ourselves as we are. And who knows—maybe “Christmas in Lagos” will be the unexpected holiday tradition we all didn’t know we needed.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!


Funmi Oke 

10 Guidelines for 2025

 1. Invest in yourself 

2. Invest in the people that invest in you

3. Learn to be comfortable in your own space and alone 

4. Level your head. don't see yourself so highly that you fail to self-correct. Balance confidence with reason. 

5. Leave a good first (and lasting) impression

6. Everything you need is right in front of you. Be present

7. It is OK to say 'no'. Be comfortable with your unconventional preferences

8. Start goals incrementally

9. Stop relying on your feelings and emotions. Routines help with getting things done, even when you don't feel like it

10. Be kind to yourself



Seriously praying for a blessed year ahead. 

2025, my year of restoration, leaning in, and creating space. 

Matthew 6:26-34



Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The Digital Traveler: How Technology Transforms and Challenges Solo Travel



In the age of smartphones and digital connectivity, solo travel has undergone a remarkable transformation. Technology has become the ultimate travel companion, making exploration easier, more convenient, and increasingly accessible to travelers around the world. I am currently in Cape Town, South Africa, and so far, I have been able to explore 3 beaches, find 3-4 "off the beaten path" restaurants, and live "in the mountains", thanks to technology. 


Technology: A Pocket-friendly Digital Travel Assistant


Given that I started solo travel in the Tenties, I have no recollection of how solo travel was without our smartphone (or any other smart device).  Were people even comfortable enough to travel by themselves? The only image that pops up in my head when I think of travel prior to the "Digital Age" is groups of people who would land in a foreign city clutching a physical map, struggling to communicate, and potentially feeling overwhelmed.

 Today, technology has completely revolutionized the solo travel experience. With a few taps on my smartphone, in most places I travel to, I can:


- Order a ride instantly through Uber or Bolt, eliminating the anxiety of navigating unfamiliar public transportation

- Have meals delivered directly to my hotel room through apps like Uber Eats or local food delivery services

- Navigate complex city streets with precise GPS mapping, removing the fear of getting lost

- Discover hidden gems and top-rated restaurants through crowd-sourced review platforms like TikTok or Google Reviews


The convenience is unprecedented. Translation apps break down language barriers, booking platforms simplify accommodations, and digital maps provide real-time navigation that was unimaginable just a decade ago.


The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Lost Human Connections


However, this technological ease comes with a subtle but significant drawback. As we increasingly rely on digital solutions, we're losing something precious - genuine human interactions that once defined travel experiences.


If I were to further my aforementioned imagination of people travelling prior to technology, it would probably consist of people: 

- Asking locals for directions, sparking unexpected conversations

- Seeking restaurant recommendations from hotel staff or street vendors

- Discovering off-the-beaten-path locations through spontaneous interactions


Now, we're more likely to consult an app than engage with local residents. This digital dependence means missing out on the rich, unpredictable moments that make travel truly transformative.


The Algorithmic Tourist Trap


Moreover, technology tends to funnel travelers toward popular, highly-rated locations. While these spots are undoubtedly beautiful, they often represent a sanitized, commercial version of a destination. The truly authentic local restaurant - the one known only to residents, tucked away in a narrow side street - might be completely overlooked by algorithm-driven recommendations.


Perhaps the most stark reminder of our technological dependency comes when devices fail. A dead battery, lost phone, or poor internet connection can suddenly leave a solo traveler feeling vulnerable and disoriented.


 Finding the Balance: A Hybrid Approach to Travel


The solution isn't to abandon technology, but to use it wisely. The best travel experiences come from striking a balance:


- Use digital tools for primary navigation and safety

- But remain open to spontaneous interactions

- Allow yourself to put the phone down and engage with your surroundings

- Keep a physical map or guidebook as a backup

- Ask locals for recommendations, even after checking online reviews


A good example of such has been my trip to Cape Town so far. I was intentional about getting a space in Hout Bay, or "in the mountains". This five-day getaway experience (out of my 10 days in Cape Town) afforded me time away from my phone, getting to interact more with people, and of course a serene and peaceful time with nature. 

Technology has undeniably made solo travel more accessible and convenient. But the most memorable journeys are those where we use technology as a tool, not a substitute for genuine human connection.

Travel is about experiencing the world, not just documenting it through a screen. Embrace the digital age but never lose the spirit of exploration that makes travel truly magical.


Funmi Oke



Thursday, November 7, 2024

America Has Decided: What to Expect for Business Immigration Under the New Administration + Preparation Tips

With a new administration taking office, foreign nationals and businesses relying on skilled immigration may be wondering how immigration policies could shift and what those changes might mean for their future. While many aspects of U.S. immigration policy remain under review, some likely trends are beginning to emerge. Here’s a breakdown of the changes business immigration stakeholders might expect and how to prepare.

Heightened Scrutiny on H-1B Program

The H-1B visa, used by companies to bring highly skilled foreign workers into the U.S., has been a frequent target of regulatory scrutiny. Under the new administration, H-1B sponsors should prepare for increased requests for evidence (RFEs), denials, and site visits. Employers, especially those in IT consultancy roles, could face additional pressure when placing H-1B employees at third-party client locations. Detailed documentation will be required to demonstrate a clear employer-employee relationship and specialty occupation status, including a precise itinerary and task outline for each assignment.

Tighter Regulations on the L-1 Visa Program

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to the U.S., but it has often been scrutinized for misuse. Employers might experience increased RFEs, and site visits will likely be more common to confirm job duties, salary, and other conditions of employment.

Increased Audits Under the PERM Program

PERM labor certifications, which are a vital part of the employment-based green card process, may see more audits under the new administration. Additionally, if budget cuts reduce the Department of Labor’s resources, processing times for employment-based green cards could extend even further, exacerbating existing delays.

Stricter Scrutiny on F-1 Students and CPT Programs

F-1 students using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience in the U.S. could face more restrictions, especially those attending institutions known as “CPT schools,” which grant work authorization from the beginning of the program. Consulates may increase the number of 221(g) requests for these students, placing additional pressure on F-1 visa holders.

Higher Standards for National Interest Waivers (NIW) and EB-1A Visas

National Interest Waiver (NIW) and EB-1A applications have already seen a high rate of RFEs, and this trend may continue or increase. These visas, often pursued by highly skilled professionals, may come under more scrutiny as the administration evaluates their benefit to the U.S. workforce.

Reassessment of Work Authorizations by Executive Order

The fate of certain work authorizations, like the H-4 EAD and STEM OPT EAD, could be affected, as these were established by executive order. While immediate changes may not occur, any policy change here could disrupt the plans of many foreign nationals.

Potential for Reinstated Biometrics Requirements

There is speculation that the new administration may reinstate biometrics requirements for H-4 dependents, a policy removed to ease processing delays. Bringing it back could mean increased wait times and additional documentation needs for families.

Tougher Entry Requirements and Restrictions Based on Country of Origin

The new administration may seek stricter entry requirements for foreign nationals from specific countries or regions, similar to the travel ban instated in 2017 and 2020. This could mean added delays at the border, additional documentation checks, and longer processing times.



Preparation Tips for a New Administration 

Given the potential policy changes ahead, here are some strategic ways for immigrants and businesses to stay prepared:

  1. Stay on Top of Deadlines: Start all applications and renewals as early as possible, especially for visas and work authorizations that may face processing delays or renewed biometrics requirements.

  2. Maintain Thorough Records: Keep an organized file of all immigration-related documentation, including job descriptions, evidence of employment relationships, itineraries, and academic records. Detailed, clear records can help minimize delays and bolster your application’s success.

  3. Regularly Consult with an Immigration Attorney: Immigration policies may shift frequently, and an attorney can help ensure you’re up-to-date on new developments, compliance requirements, and potential obstacles.

  4. Use Reliable Resources: Stay informed about potential changes from trusted sources like USCIS, the Department of Labor, and your attorney. Misinformation can lead to costly errors, so relying on accurate updates is essential.

  5. Plan for the Long Term: If you’re pursuing a green card, understand that extended processing times may require patience and flexibility. Prepare for this and take any early steps possible, like saving documentation for future use in your application.

While the road ahead might present more challenges, with careful preparation and an informed approach, foreign nationals and their employers can navigate these changes with greater confidence and resilience.


Funmi Oke