Overview
The skilled team of attorneys in Butzel's Immigration Practice Department provide domestic and foreign-based clients with exceptional representation, multi-disciplinary support, and creative problem-solving tactics to address a wide range of immigration issues, whether localized or on a global scale.
Our clients may rest assured that when they look to our firm to handle immigration matters, they are in exceeding capable hands. Butzel is honored to be recognized as the premier immigration law firm in Michigan. From 2011 to the present, our firm has been ranked regionally and nationally in Immigration Law by several respected industry publications. Individually, several of our immigration attorneys have been recognized as top in their field among their peers in Michigan and nationally.
This diverse Practice Department is marked by resourcefulness and accessibility, has established relationships with members of the local and international immigration community and is dedicated to staying abreast of the latest developments in immigration law and practice. Our clients are as diverse as the issues we handle, including major corporations, small businesses, individuals, and families based throughout the United States and the world.
Butzel's Immigration Practice Department provides legal services in the areas of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, US permanent residence, citizenship, global migration, and employer compliance and worksite enforcement. We partner with our clients, listening closely to their concerns and thoroughly collecting the information necessary to deliver the most efficient, timely, and cost-effective personalized services. We continuously review our processes and technology to add value and improve efficiency.
The Immigration Practice Department works closely with attorneys from the firm's other practice areas where immigration issues intersect, such as Corporate, Tax, and Labor and Employment, to deliver prompt, specialized counsel on critical issues that impact our clients and their businesses.
Practice Leadership
People
Areas of Concentration
Alerts & Publications
Client Alerts
- Client Alert, 1.2.2024
- Client Alert, 8.23.2023
- Client Alert, 7.13.2023
- Client Alert, 1.13.2023
- Client Alert, 2.23.2022
- 10.27.2021
- 5.3.2021
- 4.30.2021
- 2.11.2021
- 10.2.2020
- 9.28.2020
- 9.23.2020
- 6.23.2020
- 6.19.2020
- 6.10.2020
- 4.27.2020
- 4.24.2020
- 3.20.2020
- 3.18.2020
- 3.17.2020
- 3.16.2020
- 3.13.2020
- 1.23.2020
- 10.2.2018
- 6.28.2018
- 9.26.2017
- 6.30.2017
- 3.16.2017
- 2.1.2017
- 1.30.2017
- 12.1.2016
- 1.29.2016
- 2.24.2015
- 4.30.2013
- 3.15.2013
- 4.22.2010
- 4.29.2009
- 1.6.2009
- 8.14.2008
- 1.25.2008
- 11.30.2007
News & Events
News
- Firm News, 11.18.2024
- Firm News, 11.8.2024
- Firm News, 9.24.2024
- Firm News, 8.27.2024
- Firm News, 8.15.2024
- Firm News, 6.20.2024
- Firm News, 5.8.2024
- Firm News, 1.4.2024
- Firm News, 11.22.2023
- Firm News, 11.1.2023
- Firm News, 9.18.2023
- Firm News, 9.6.2023
- Firm News, 8.23.2023
- Firm News, 7.27.2023
- Firm News, 6.8.2023
- Firm News, 5.24.2023
- Firm News, 11.15.2022
- Firm News, 11.3.2022
- Firm News, 10.13.2022
- Firm News, 9.8.2022
- Firm News, 8.24.2022
- Firm News, 8.18.2022
- Firm News, 8.12.2022
- Firm News, 8.11.2022
- Firm News, 7.5.2022
- Firm News, 5.25.2022
- Firm News, 3.29.2022
- Firm News, 2.10.2022
- Speaking Engagement, 1.25.2022
- Firm News, 1.20.2022
- 11.4.2021
- 10.28.2021
- 10.20.2021
- 9.14.2021
- 7.27.2021
- 6.3.2021
- 6.1.2021
- 5.19.2021
- 1.29.2021
- 11.11.2020
- 11.5.2020
- 10.20.2020
- 10.19.2020
- 9.28.2020
- 9.18.2020
- 7.15.2020
- 6.24.2020
- 6.19.2020
- 3.30.2020
- 3.3.2020
- 11.19.2019
- WJR - News - Talk - 760 AM, 11.14.2019
- 11.1.2019
- 10.31.2019
- 10.8.2019
- WJR - 760AM, 8.13.2019
- WJR - News Talk 760, 8.12.2019
- WJR-AM 760, 8.1.2019
- 7.29.2019
- 7.25.2019
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 7.19.2019
- 6.17.2019
- 3.18.2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, 3.3.2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, 3.3.2019
- 1.9.2019
- 12.28.2018
- U.S. News & World Report, 11.1.2018
- WJR-AM 760, 10.31.2018
- 9.13.2018
- 7.18.2018
- 6.13.2018
- 5.14.2018
- 4.20.2018
- 4.9.2018
- 4.5.2018
- 1.26.2018
- 1.11.2018
- 12.11.2017
- 12.4.2017
- 10.18.2017
- 9.20.2017
- 9.6.2017
- 9.5.2017
- 8.8.2017
- 6.27.2017
- 3.27.2017
- 3.7.2017
- 2.24.2017
- 1.30.2017
- 11.1.2016
- 9.26.2016
- 9.9.2016
- 6.22.2016
- 5.23.2016
- 3.21.2016
- 8.28.2015
- 8.5.2015
- 6.11.2015
- 1.21.2015
- 10.7.2014
- 9.11.2014
- 7.1.2014
- 1.20.2014
- 11.7.2013
- 11.4.2013
- 11.1.2013
- 9.5.2013
- 4.24.2013
- 4.3.2013
- 3.14.2013
- 11.5.2012
- 11.1.2012
- 10.18.2012
- 10.4.2012
- 11.9.2011
- 10.27.2011
- 6.9.2011
- 3.22.2011
- 11.15.2010
- 10.27.2010
- 10.14.2010
- 9.2.2010
- 7.27.2010
- 7.15.2010
- 7.8.2010
- 6.17.2010
- 9.16.2009
- 8.19.2009
- 8.17.2009
- 7.6.2009
- 6.4.2009
- 2.10.2009
- 10.22.2008
- 9.25.2008
- 5.27.2008
- 4.9.2008
- 3.20.2008
- 11.30.2007
- 11.9.2007
- 10.1.2007
- 4.17.2007
- 4.2.2007
Speaking Engagements
- Virtual, 11.17.2021
- Virtual, 10.29.2020
- Webinar, 3.31.2020
- Detroit, MI, 4.11.2018
- Livonia, MI, 8.29.2017
- Detroit, MI, 4.5.2017
- Bloomfield Hills, MI, 2.21.2017
- 4.21.2016
- Dearborn, MI, 11.7.2014
Experience
- Obtained permanent resident status pursuant to registry provisions based on residence in U.S. since January 1972
- Managed multi-country projects and obtained work authorizations in multiple jurisdictions for individuals of various nationalities.
- Represented clients at Port of Entry to process admission to US under NAFTA
- Assisted family members in obtaining appropriate fianc
- Obtained re-entry permit to maintain permanent residency for individuals transferred overseas
- Preparation of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-3 Trainee applications and petitions for employees of foreign companies with U.S. facilities
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities and assistance with multi jurisdictional tax issues
- Provided preventative counseling on sending foreign expatriates to Mexico. Including immigration regulations, as well as labor and tax implication and employer sanctions
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Labor regarding employment verification issues.
- Obtained all types of visas for Mexico, including tourist, business, technical, Board members, pre-approved work permits, change of status, permanent resident, Exit and Re-Entry permits, and renewals
- Assisted with preservation of residency for naturalization purposes for individuals transferred overseas
- Represented clients seeking LPR status based on Cuban Adjustment Act
- Obtained removal of conditions on permanent residency
- Analyzed eligibility for naturalization through parents or grandparents and prepare necessary documentation
- Provided preventative counseling on Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor investigations and employer sanctions.
- Obtained re-entry permits to maintain permanent residence status in the United States for individuals transferred abroad
- Represented clients in obtaining visas at various US Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Conducted in-house training on I-9 form compliance and retention, including electronic completion and storage of I-9 forms
- Assisted employers in obtaining appropriate nonimmigrant classification (TN, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, P) and immigrant classification (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5).
- Represented employers in USCIS administrative site visit
- Represented clients with applications of waiver of inadmissibility due to past legal history or immigration history.
- Consulted with clients regarding special permanent resident card interviews
- Advised employers regarding maintenance of employer/employee relationship when foreign national is placed offsite
- Butzel Long shareholder is an Honorary Consul to the UK
- Evaluated retention of dual citizenship for U.S. and other countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, etc.
- Obtained waivers of inadmissibility including waivers for entry into Canada for individuals who have DUIs/DWIs
- Conducted in-house training on all areas related to doing business in Mexico
- Represented employers in investigations conducted by the USDOL concerning H-1B Labor Condition Application public access file including benching and wage and hour issues.
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities in Mexico, obtaining all necessary permits to carry out business and advise on all business related legal areas, in consistency with multi jurisdictional implications
- Prepared J-1 waivers of 2 year foreign residency requirement based on no-objection letters, interested government agencies, hardship and other grounds
- Conducted internal audits of I-9 forms for clients
- Represented clients in complex naturalization matters including restoration of U.S. citizenship, appeals for denied naturalization applications, and evaluate strategies for overcoming grounds of ineligibility.
- Conducted in-house training regarding preparing and maintaining H-1B public access files and Labor Certification Applications
- Obtained work visas in other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Austria, etc.
- Obtained approval of Immigration Petition for Alien of Extraordinary Ability for various professionals including engineers, scientists, corporate executives, professional athletes, entertainers, coaches, and trainers.
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by USICE and USDOL regarding employment verification issues
- Represented clients in obtaining Mexican visas at various Mexican Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Analyzed effect of corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, on foreign national’s immigration status.