Business Immigration Lawyers Helping Chicago Grow
Acquiring global talent is an exciting opportunity to grow and enhance your business. Of course, untangling the web of complicated immigration law makes hiring foreign nationals challenging for any Chicago business.
Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. is a team of lawyers who deeply understand how employment-based immigration laws impact Chicago businesses. We provide invaluable guidance and support, leveraging our extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of constantly changing business immigration laws and regulations to deliver thorough and customized solutions to meet your business immigration needs. Contact our Chicago firm at (312) 444-1940.
Immigrant Visas for Permanent Workers in Chicago
Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. helps Chicago businesses sponsor and manage employees petitioning for a permanent work visa. Our team provides knowledgeable guidance based on years of business immigration law experience.
Immigrants who want to permanently work and live in the United States must obtain a business visa, otherwise known as an employment-based visa. To start the process, your business must first obtain labor certification approval from the Department of Labor (DOL). Next, you must often file an Immigration Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for the correct employment-based preference category.
Our skillful attorneys have the extensive knowledge to navigate each unique case, from choosing the right preference category for employees to obtaining their visas so that your business flourishes.
Five Categories of Employment-Based Visas for Chicago Businesses
- The EB-1 visa is for those with extraordinary ability or knowledge in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics and multinational executives affiliated with U.S. employers.
- The EB-2 visa is for professionals with advanced degrees or vast professional experience or abilities.
- The EB-3 visa includes skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled (other) workers.
- The EB-4 visa is for certain special immigrants, such as broadcasters, religious workers, and former U.S. citizens.
- The EB-5 visa is for foreign investors who will create new jobs through their new commercial enterprises.
Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. has experience with each preference category and can guide your Chicago business through the entire legal process.
Immigration Regulations for Chicago Business Owners
Our attorneys ensure your business remains compliant while building its workforce. Due to the complex nature of business immigration law, an immigration attorney is often vital to successful business immigration outcomes. The team members at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. have the experience, knowledge, and skills to assist Chicago businesses in navigating employment-based immigration.
What We Can Do for Your Chicago Business
- Represent you in immigration-related government investigations or audits.
- Provide guidance for hiring foreign workers and obtaining proper visas.
- Assist with labor certifications and applications for permanent residency petitions.
- Conduct audits to ensure I-9 compliance and prevent fines and penalties.
- Offer training to HR personnel on immigration laws and processes.
Form I-9 Compliance for Business Immigration
One of the most complicated aspects of business immigration law is ensuring compliance when hiring and retaining immigrant employees. Establishing and maintaining a legally compliant global workforce is crucial for safeguarding your company’s interests and reputation.
With in-depth knowledge and skill, Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. ensures Chicago businesses follow immigration laws and processes. Regarding Form I-9 compliance, the top priority is maximizing the protection of employers and foreign employees while minimizing damage and disruptions to a company.
Form I-9 Is Vital for Chicago Businesses
The United States government requires Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for anyone working in the U.S. All Chicago businesses must complete and retain a Form I-9 for every employee.
Failure to comply by properly completing and storing I-9s may result in civil penalties and fines for businesses and possible deportation for employees. Form I-9 creates an audit trail that ensures employers do not knowingly hire unauthorized immigrants. Additionally, it helps enforce business immigration laws related to employment eligibility verification. Scott D. Pollock and Associates, P.C. can assist companies with I-9 compliance and audits in several ways.
Conducting an Internal I-9 Audit
An internal I-9 audit is a preventative measure for maintaining business immigration compliance. It is one of the best tools for avoiding future problems.
Our immigration attorneys take a proactive approach, conducting internal I-9 audits to demonstrate your company’s commitment to compliance. This approach allows you to preemptively correct any I-9 form deficiencies, ensuring your Chicago business is prepared and secure.
Training Human Resource Staff on Form I-9
Effective Form I-9 training is crucial for human resource departments to meet legal hiring and employment requirements. I-9 training educates staff on properly completing and maintaining I-9s as mandated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Representation in the Case of an I-9 Audit
If a Chicago business is alerted of an impending governmental I-9 audit, having an immigration lawyer is the best way to safeguard your company and employees. When initiating an audit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division within ICE, issues a Notice of Inspection (NOI) to the company first.
The ICE agent conducting the audit sets the deadline for responding with I-9 forms and supporting documentation based on the specific circumstances. Employers must respond within a minimum of three days. The audit process has hard deadlines and precise guidelines. Business immigration attorney Lindsay Fullerton and the rest of the team provide valuable assistance every step of the way.
Leaders in Business Immigration Law
By partnering with our experienced immigration attorneys, Chicago businesses can confidently expand their workforce while remaining compliant with ever-changing regulations. Chicago business immigration law is complex, but Scott D. Polock & Associates, P.C. has the experience, insight, and determination to navigate it seamlessly for your business.
Contact us today to learn how we can ensure you follow Chicago business immigration law when acquiring and retaining global talent to grow your business.
