Site Visits & Compliance in 2025 | The Business Immigration Benchmark (040)

Mar 3, 2025 | Immigration Updates

By Laura Bloniarz

Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe here to get the latest updates on the Business Immigration Benchmark podcast and more!

In this week’s episode of The Business Immigration Benchmark, I sat down with WR Immigration Managing Partner Bernard Wolfsdorf to discuss the latest compliance challenges, increased site visits, and what global mobility leaders should prepare for in 2025. With immigration enforcement ramping up under the new administration, ensuring compliance has never been more critical.

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. Increased Site Visits & Audits:

Employers should be prepared for heightened scrutiny, including worksite visits by FDNS officers, ICE audits, and I-9 inspections. Having clear internal protocols and training front desk staff on how to handle site visits is crucial.

2. Compliance Best Practices:

Bernie emphasized the importance of maintaining up-to-date I-9s, H-1B public access files, and PERM documentation. Regular internal audits can help identify and correct errors before an inspection occurs.

3. Managing Foreign National Anxiety:

With policy changes and increased enforcement, foreign national employees are facing higher uncertainty. Employers should proactively communicate updates, ensure petition accuracy, and provide clear guidance on travel and visa processing.

4. What’s Ahead for 2025:

We’re expecting continued focus on enforcement, but there’s also optimism for much-needed reforms. Employers should monitor developments and work with counsel to navigate changes effectively.

My Parting Thoughts

As we enter 2025, preparation and compliance will be key to successfully managing global mobility programs. Taking a proactive approach today will help mitigate risks and ensure stability in an evolving immigration landscape.

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:

My I-526E for an Investment in a Rural Project Has Been Approved in 3-4 Months – Now What?

By Joey Barnett The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) created new EB-5 reserved visa set-aside categories which allow certain visa bearing nonimmigrants lawfully in the U.S. to concurrently file an adjustment of status application on Form I-485 with the Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) has also heeded Congress’ directive to prioritize the processing and adjudication of EB-5 petitions for investment projects located in rural area, and USCIS has approved several Forms I-526E in as quick as 3-4 months!  Some adjudications on Forms I-526E for investments in a “High Unemployment Area” are taking “only” 12-14 months.  This “last-in-first out” LIFO approach to processing post-RIA cases is frustrating to investors who filed petitions in 2019 (or in some cases 2018) before the Regional Center program lapsed in June 2021. WR Immigration has filed hundreds of Forms I-526E and have already received dozens of approvals.  Here are next steps for the immigrant investor and his/her family. 1.                Form I-526E Approval Notice.  The Form I-797C, Notice of Action indicates that the Form I-526E has been approved for one or more visa classifications and lists two visa categories – both reserved and […]

Immigration Update

In this edition, find the latest news on E-Verify+ services, Premium Processing Fees, CIS Ombudsman tips, and much more! E-Verify to Pilot ‘Next Generation’ Service in Spring 2024 E-Verify announced on February 22, 2024, that it will launch its “next generation” service, E-Verify+, as a pilot in spring 2024. E-Verify said the “plus” in E-Verify+ represents benefits the new service will provide to employers and employees, including “added efficiency” for employers and “more control over their personal information” for employees. E-Verify+ will include streamlining of Form I-9 and the employment eligibility verification process. Feedback will be sought as part of the pilot process. Updates will be posted on E-Verify.gov. Details:  Back to Top Reminder: Premium Processing Fees Will Increased The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers is reminding its clients that fees for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, will increase on February 26, 2024. The table below summarizes the increases by type of petition. Form Previous Premium Processing Fee New Premium Processing Fee Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $1,500 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status) $2,500 (all other available Form I-129 classifications) $1,685 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status) $2,805 (all other available Form I-129 classifications) Form I-140, Immigrant Petition […]