Laura Foote Reiff

Laura Foote Reiff is the chair of GT’s Business Immigration Group. She focuses her practice on business immigration laws and regulations affecting U.S. and foreign companies, as well as related employment compliance and legislative issues. Laura advises corporations on a variety of compliance-related issues, including Form I-9 alien employment verification matters, immigration compliance strategies, and H-1B and H-2B compliance inspections and due diligence.

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Will the Congress Yield – for Immigration Reform?

By Laura Foote Reiff, Robert Y. Maples˘ and Kristen W. Ng on Posted in Global Immigration, Green Card, Immigration Law, Immigration Reform, India
On Oct. 17 a fiery debate occurred on the U.S. Senate floor. Two great supporters of immigrants and immigration reform, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL, Minority Floor Leader) and Mike Lee (R-UT, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust) battled to a draw on an issue they both support – eliminating the per-country caps on employment-based immigration. … Continue Reading

EB-5 Regulations Published for Public Inspection

By Laura Foote Reiff, Robert Y. Maples˘ and Kristen W. Ng on Posted in Department of Homeland Security, EB-5 Compliance, EB-5 Modernization Rule, EB-5 Program, Immigrant Visa, Immigration Law, Immigration Reform, USCIS
After more than two and a half years, Obama-era EB-5 immigration regulations are set to be published on July 24, 2019, with an effective date 120 days after publication or Nov. 21, 2019. See EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization. These regulations have been opposed by many industry participants, as evidenced in a letter to Congressional Leadership … Continue Reading

New Report Details Economic Value and Job Creation Impacts Under the EB-5 Program

By Laura Foote Reiff and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in General
On March 14, 2019, the EB-5 Investment Coalition, in cooperation with Invest in the USA (IIUSA), released the most comprehensive economic analysis of the EB-5 program to date. Laura Reiff, co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Immigration & Compliance Practice, commented on the report: “Without the typical data limitations and constraints on economic analysis, premier industry economists … Continue Reading

Continuing Resolution and Budget Agreement Funds Government and Vital Programs, like EB-5, until March 23rd

By Laura Foote Reiff, Robert Y. Maples˘ and Kristen W. Ng on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), President Trump's Administration
After extended debate, the U.S. Senate set-aside the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) and negotiated and passed a CR funding government and programs, including EB-5, until March 23, coupled with a sweeping 2-year budget agreement for FY 18 and FY 19.  The extended debate exceeded the previous CR time extension of midnight Feb. 8, which resulted … Continue Reading

U.S. Businesses Urge Congress to act on a Solution for the Dreamer/DACA Recipients

By Laura Foote Reiff and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
A business coalition and many of its members continues to work for passage of a permanent bipartisan legislation solution for Dreamers living, working, and contributing to our economy.   https://www.coalitionfortheamericandream.us/. More than 100 CEOs of businesses from across the industry spectrum and across the United States are represented in this effort.… Continue Reading

President Trump Signs Continuing Resolution into Law

By Robert Y. Maples˘ and Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Conrad 30 Waiver Program, Continuing Resolution (CR), E-Verify, EB-5 Program, President Trump's Administration
On Monday evening, President Trump signed the Continuing Resolution (CR) into law ending the three-day, 69-hour government shutdown. In addition to funding the government and other policy-related matters, the CR extends EB-5, E-Verify, Conrad 30, and the Religious Workers immigration programs until Feb. 8.… Continue Reading

Congress Passes Another Continuing Resolution After 3 Day Shutdown – EB-5 Extended to Feb. 8

By Robert Y. Maples˘, Laura Foote Reiff and Kristen W. Ng on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5 Program
By a vote of 266-150 on Jan. 22  (three days after  the previous extension deadline of midnight on Jan. 19), the House passed the Senate amendment, extending Continuing Appropriations for government services and programs to Feb. 8. The bill now goes to the president who is expected to sign it into law.… Continue Reading

House Republicans file Continuing Resolution to Extend EB-5

By Robert Y. Maples˘ and Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5 Program
Last night, House Appropriations Chairman, Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), filed a Continuing Resolution to extend government funding and to provide extension of authorities for programs, such as EB-5, on the House Appropriations website.  The Continuing Resolution, or CR, would extend government operations and the EB-5 program through Feb. 16.… Continue Reading

TPS for El Salvador to End – Transition Extension Through 9/9/19

By Laura Foote Reiff and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in Department of Homeland Security, Temporary Protected Status
The Department of Homeland Security announced the cessation of Temporary Protected Status of citizens from El Salvador. This decision follows recent TPS decisions for Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Today’s decision will impact more than 200,000 Salvadorans in the United States for more than 15 – 20 years. DHS has announced a transition period through Sept. 9, 2019. … Continue Reading

Congress Passes Continuing Resolution Extending EB-5 Program to Dec. 22

By Kristen W. Ng, Laura Foote Reiff and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in Conrad 30 Waiver Program, E-Verify
By a vote of 235-193, the House passed H.J. Res 123, the Continuing Appropriations Act. Upon passage, H.J.Res 123 was sent immediately to the Senate, where it passed by a vote of 81-14. The Bill now goes to the president wherein he is expected to sign it into law. Today’s action extends government operations and … Continue Reading

Another Clean extension of the EB-5 Regional Center program — Proposed Continuing Resolution Through April 28, 2017

By Laura Foote Reiff and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in EB-5 Program, EB-5 Regional Center, USCIS
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have passed the Continuing Resolution (CR) legislation to keep the government open through April 28, 2017. As with the CR in late September that extended the EB-5 Regional Center program and the other three immigration programs, this CR will create a clean extension through April 28.  The legislation extends … Continue Reading

Greenberg Traurig Post-Election Immigration Update

By Kristen W. Ng, Laura Foote Reiff, Martha Schoonover, Rebecca Schechter and Robert Y. Maples˘ on Posted in E-Verify, EB-5 Program, EB-5 Regional Center, Events, H-1B, Immigrant Visa, L-1, Non-Immigrant Visas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Visas, webinar
On November 10, 2016, Laura Foote Reiff, Bob Maples, and Rebecca Schechter presented an Immigration Post-Election Update webinar highlighting some of the anticipated key changes to U.S. immigration policy (click here to listen to the webinar).  President-elect Donald Trump will likely begin the change on current U.S. immigration policy as soon as he takes office.  … Continue Reading

The Logic of Immigration Policy Reform – It’s about People and That’s why the Policy is so Difficult

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Immigration Law, Immigration Reform
Immigration Policy is broken.  We all agree.  How should we fix it and why haven’t we been able to fix it over the last two decades?   There is a multifaceted answer to this question, but Congress has been unable to agree on how to deal with the policy changes.  We have had numerous attempts and … Continue Reading

USCIS Proposes International Entrepreneur Rule to Spur Innovation and Job Creation

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Immigrant Visa, USCIS, Visas
On Aug. 26, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking for an International Entrepreneur Rule, and provided an advance version of the proposed rule for public review. According to an announcement from USCIS, the proposed rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exercise discretion, on a … Continue Reading

European Commission Delays Decision about U.S. Visa Waiver Reciprocity

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Canada, European Union, Visa Waiver Program, Visas
In June we wrote about the April 12, 2016, European Commission Communication to the EU Council and Parliament concerning visa-free travel reciprocity with the United States and Canada.  In its communication, the Commission requested a response and advice from the EU Parliament and Council by July 12 on how to move forward in light of … Continue Reading

H-1B Legislation Introduced in House of Representatives

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in H-1B, H.R.5801
On July 14, 2016, Representative Darryl Issa (R-Calif.) introduced H.R.5801, the “Protect and Grow American Jobs Act.”  The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Peters, Polis, Vargas, Farenthold, Smith, Hunter, and Davis.  The bill proposes to amend the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) of 1998. The ACWIA established certain enhanced Labor Condition Application requirements … Continue Reading

August 2016 Visa Bulletin Released

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in U.S. Department of State (DOS), Visa Bulletin
This week the Department of State released the August Visa Bulletin, which contains some significant movement in certain employment-based categories. In its July Visa Bulletin, which we wrote about here, the Department advised that it would impose cutoff dates for India and China in the EB-1 category.  In the August Bulletin, the Department has imposed … Continue Reading

The Current State of the Visa Waiver Program and Recent Developments within the European Union

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in European Union, Immigration Reform, Visa Waiver Program, Visas
Since the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which contained significant changes to the United States’ Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with the inclusion of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, there has been considerable concern—and uncertainty—about the impact the new law will have on individuals who have … Continue Reading

House Judiciary Committee to Consider Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Nationality Act, Immigration Law, Immigration Reform, National Security, Visas
Today, the House Judiciary Committee will consider H.R.5203, the Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016.  The bill is authored by Representative Randy Forbes of Virginia. The bill’s purpose is to enhance security procedures for the processing of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.  We provide a sectional summary of the bill below. Section 2 of … Continue Reading

Department of Homeland Security Unveils Known Employer Pilot Program

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Department of Homeland Security, Known Employer pilot program
On March 3, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally announced the Known Employer pilot program. In January 2015, DHS advised that it would evaluate the Known Employer pilot as part of the United States-Canada Beyond the Border initiative. The pilot program was also recommended in the multi-agency report to the president, entitled “Modernizing and Streamlining … Continue Reading

Secretary of State Maintains Designation of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Immigration and Nationality Act, National Security
On March 2, 2016, the Department of State published a notice in the Federal Register that the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, had determined that the designation of Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula as a Foreign Terrorist Organization “shall be maintained.” Section 219 of the Immigration … Continue Reading

United States to Expand E-Visa Processing Options in Canada

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Canada, E-Visas
On Feb. 26, the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto, Ontario, announced enhancements to the E-Visa process for Canadian applicants. It announced that it will streamline the registration process at the Toronto Consulate General for Canadian companies employing E-1 and E-2 visas.  Further, the Consulate General announced that it was expanding the locations at which E-Visa … Continue Reading

Senator Leahy and Senator Hatch Introduce Legislation to Improve the Visa Process for International Artists

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Arts Act, Visas
On Feb. 8, 2016, Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Orrin Hatch introduced the ARTS Act (S.2510), which would enforce the current statutory mandate for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite processing of O and P visas at the agency. Under the legislation, if USCIS does not process an O or P visa within … Continue Reading
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