IMMIGRATION

The INS is now the CIS On March 1, 2003, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) became the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), a division of the new Department of Homeland Security. The BCIS later decided to drop the word Bureau from its name and is now called U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). If you have any questions about this transition, please call Susan Blackman at (757) 628-5646, or e-mail her at sblackman@wilsav.com.

Our Immigration Law Team helps international businesses develop or maintain their operations in the United States by obtaining the visas and work authorization necessary to employ foreign workers in this country. We help multinational companies transfer managers and specialized employees to the United States. We also help domestic companies obtain authorizations to employ foreign professionals or employees in hard-to-fill job positions. We have worked with clients from six different continents, and we have obtained visas for employees assigned to all regions of the United States.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS), the Department of Labor, and U.S. Consulate Offices around the world. We assist clients in all stages of the immigration process, including:

• Preparation of petitions and supporting documents
  
• Applying for visas at Consulate Offices
  
• Completion of I-9 Forms showing proof of employment eligibility
  
• Petitions for extension or change of status for foreign employees already in the United States

See also: Labor and Employment and Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation