Immigration Resource Center
Welcome to Shipman’s Immigration Resource Center, your source for U.S. immigration updates and developments. We are anticipating many ongoing immigration-related changes with the new presidential administration, and we have launched this resource center to keep you abreast of legal developments, changing requirements and policies, and other topics of interest in the world of U.S. immigration. We invite you to subscribe to receive timely updates and notices about seminars, on-demand webinars, and podcasts related to immigration. We invite you to subscribe to receive timely updates and notices about seminars, on-demand webinars and podcasts related to immigration.
What Organizations Should Know About ICE Enforcement Actions
January 1, 2025 - Authored by Nina Pelc-Faszcza
Late Breaking News - Jan. 22, 2025: Shortly after we sent this alert out, it was announced that acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman has issued a directive that rescinds the Biden Administration’s guidelines for DHS enforcement actions in or near “protected” or “sensitive” areas.
With the new presidential administration’s hard stance on immigration, many organizations are feeling anxious about visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and uncertain about what to do should such a visit occur. While enforcement action by ICE has always been possible and does happen on occasion, the chances of such an event occurring at an ordinary place of business have historically been low. Moreover, for many years certain employers and other establishments have enjoyed some protection from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “protected areas” policy, which provides that DHS generally should not take an enforcement action in or near a location that would restrain access to essential services or engagement in essential activities, such as a school, health care facility, or social services establishment. The incoming administration has all but promised to rescind the protected areas policy, leaving perhaps the most vulnerable of institutions at greater risk of DHS enforcement action. While the risk of ICE activity at ordinary places of business may still be relatively low even with recision of the protected areas policy or any other relevant DHS policies with respect to immigration enforcement, it is nevertheless best to be prepared. Arguably, such activity is more likely now than it has been in the past.
Potential Immigration Impacts for U.S. Employers Under a Second Trump Presidency
January 8, 2025 - Authored by Nina Pelc-Faszcza
As we head into another Trump presidency later this month, many U.S. employers are wondering how the new administration’s strong stance on immigration might impact their organization, including its ability to hire and retain foreign workers. While we don’t know exactly what changes will occur, this article details a few ways in which the incoming administration’s immigration policies could tangibly impact U.S. employers. This list is by no means exhaustive and none of these changes are guaranteed; rather, it is intended to provide a high-level overview of important points of consideration for employers as we move into the new presidential administration.
