The Immigration hotbed of issues is hardly just DACA and “The Wall.” Immigration has been a touchstone of the U.S. political debate for decades, as policymakers must weigh competing economic, security, and humanitarian concerns. Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform for years, effectively moving some major policy decisions into the executive and judicial branches of government, and fueling debate in the halls of state and municipal governments. The future of legitimate and sound business development and investment, as well as the fates of an estimated eleven million undocumented immigrants in the country, hang in the balance.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed interest in reforming parts of the program, which critics say has been abused by companies to outsource skilled labor and cut costs. What considerations do businesses give in attracting the most-skilled or highest-paid applicants? How does it affect you in South Florida? Be a part of this discussion as our experienced panel explores a complex and growing area of concern.
Larry Behar, Behar Law Group
His firm specializes in solving complex immigration issues. It typically generates business immigration solutions by representing entrepreneurs, investors, multinational companies, professionals and completes family reunification. To better understand the immigration process, Mr. Behar has created and published two books in multiple languages: “How to Immigrate to U.S.A.” and “EB-5 United States Immigration through Investment”.
Behar Law Group has developed niche expertise in the EB-5 program, a sub-sector of immigration law, and now represents a diverse range of regional centers that can be found across the country. Mr. Behar was selected as one of the Top 25 EB-5 Lawyer by EB-5 Investor Magazine in 2014 and proudly AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Elizabeth Blandon, Blandon Law
Elizabeth Blandon is the founder of Blandon Law, a Weston-based firm specializing in immigration, naturalization and consular law matters for foreign nationals worldwide. She is an advocate for victims of domestic violence and a tireless champion for those seeking asylum in the United States.
Currently Ms. Blandon serves as Chairperson of the Immigration Section of the Broward County Bar Association and as Vice Chair of the Nationality & Law Certification Committee for the Florida Bar. She has also been appointed as Chair of the Asylum Committee for South Florida chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Jon M. Garon, Shepard Broad Law School, Nova Southeastern University
Jon M. Garon is dean of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. Dean Garon serves as chief academic officer for the law school, providing strategic leadership on programming, curriculum, enrollment management, marketing, and finance. He is a nationally recognized authority on technology law and intellectual property, particularly copyright law, entertainment and information privacy.
Michael J. Dale, Shepard Broad School of Law, Nova Southeastern University
In addition to his teaching and publishing background, Michael Dale has been a practicing lawyer specializing in civil rights litigation for 40 years, particularly in the area of representing the unaccompanied minor.
As part of his work for the National Institute For Trial Advocacy, Professor Dale recently trained lawyers from around the country who represent unaccompanied minors in trial skills before the immigration court at a three day program in Houston. He also writes about and advises lawyers representing these children in local dependency court proceedings.
(photos courtesy Carolyn Burns)
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