Insights from Q1 Benchmarking Survey: Chicago 2025 | The Business Immigration Benchmark (044)

Apr 1, 2025 | Immigration Updates

By Laura Bloniarz

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In this week’s episode of “The Business Immigration Benchmark,” I had the opportunity to sit down in the same room with Audrey Lustgarten and Sydney Bridger, SHRM-SCP to discuss key takeaways from the latest ‘Communication & Change Management Q1 2025’ survey.

For global mobility professionals navigating uncertainty, this episode provides actionable insights into how technology, compliance, and change management are shaping industry priorities.

Key Takeaways:

1. Navigating Complex Immigration Policies

Keeping Up with Regulatory Changes: The survey and our conversation highlighted the frequent shifts in immigration regulations and the importance of staying informed. Compliance was the clear priority for Global Mobility leaders that emerged from our Q1 benchmarking survey. From changes in visa processing to new compliance requirements, businesses must be proactive in understanding how these updates impact their workforce.

Best Practices for Compliance: One major point of discussion was how companies can develop internal policies that align with the latest immigration laws. Audrey shared strategies for maintaining accurate documentation, working closely with legal teams, and leveraging technology to streamline case management.

2. The Role of Technology in Business Immigration

Automation & Efficiency: With the increasing complexity of immigration processes, technology plays a crucial role in helping companies manage their workforce efficiently. We discussed how tools like case tracking software and automated compliance solutions can reduce administrative burdens and minimize errors.

Data-Driven Decision Making: We emphasized the importance of leveraging data to predict workforce trends, track visa renewals, and manage sponsorship costs more effectively. Companies that adopt a data-driven approach can make more informed strategic decisions about their global talent mobility.

3. Addressing Workforce Challenges & Employee Experience

Supporting Employees Through the Immigration Process: One of the key themes we touched on was how HR and mobility teams can improve the employee experience by providing clear communication and resources. Navigating immigration can be stressful, and having a structured support system in place can make all the difference.

Future Outlook on Talent Mobility: Looking ahead, we discussed insights on how companies can prepare for shifts in the global talent market. With increasing competition for skilled workers, businesses need to prioritize flexibility in their immigration policies and consider alternative visa options where necessary.

My Parting Thoughts

Our discussion underscored the importance of adaptability in today’s evolving immigration landscape. Whether it’s keeping up with policy changes, leveraging technology for efficiency, or enhancing the employee experience, proactive planning is key.

If you have insights or strategies you’d like to share, feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or submit a question here!

Related Posts:

December 2022 Visa Bulletin – Update

On Thursday, November 17th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it will honor the State Department’s Date for Filing chart from the State Department’s December 2022 Visa Bulletin. The December 2022 Visa Bulletin was released late in the monthly cycle which may be a sign that USCIS and State Department were wrestling with challenges internally before issuing this month’s Visa Bulletin. Most notably, the December Visa Bulletin introduces a final action priority date of November 1, 2022 for EB-2 “All Other Countries.” This restriction, also in place for dates for filing, for the EB-2 classification for “All Other Countries” this early in the government’s fiscal year may linger and may further challenge green card timelines for applicants previously planning to concurrently submit their I-140 Immigrant Petitions with their I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications. Lastly, the further retrogression for India EB-2 final action date (now October 8, 2011) will result in continued lengthy adjudication timelines for this category. Dates for Filing: Notes Family Based Information: USCIS to honor Dates for Filing chart for family-based applicants in December 2022. Please refer to the State Department’s full Visa Bulletin for further details available here.

Corporate & Counsel:

The State of Global Mobility in 2025 By Emilie Hyams and Ceridwen “Ceri” Koski Disclaimer: These are individual comments/points of view from experts in the field based on their professional experiences which do not necessarily reflect companies’ or organizations’ official stands on certain topics or matters. This newsletter series explores the evolving landscape of global mobility and immigration program management, highlighting the innovations and obstacles that define this critical field. My goal is to learn directly from legal and mobility leaders how to enhance partnerships and elevate the immigration experience—for employees, businesses, and the wider global workforce. Global mobility is being reshaped by shifting policies and operational constraints. Employers today face a delicate balancing act: complying with increasingly complex government regulations while supporting employee flexibility and managing costs. In this climate, in-house legal teams—working closely with external counsel—are essential to keeping programs both compliant and aligned with corporate goals. That’s why I’m thrilled to feature the perspective of Emilie Hyams, a deeply thoughtful and strategic leader who brings firsthand experience from every corner of the immigration field—private practice, Congress, and inside the Department of Homeland Security. Her career spans a prestigious law firm, where she mastered the intricacies of employment-based […]