R. Blake Chisam

Partner

Blake Chisam

R. Blake Chisam
R. Blake Chisam
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Partner

Blake Chisam

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

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Get in touch

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

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Blake is a Partner at Fragomen’s Washington, DC office, where he focuses on risk management and compliance, along with government strategies.

Blake was previously senior counsel to the immigration subcommittee for the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, where he worked on policy and oversight issues related to employment-based immigration, international law, border security, immigration enforcement, refugee issues, naturalization and citizenship. In addition to his former role with the House Judiciary Committee, Blake served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee) from 2009-2011, and counsel to the Ethics Committee Chair and Senior Policy Advisor to Representative Zoe Lofgren in 2009. During his tenure, Blake directed an unprecedented number of complex Congressional ethics investigations and served as lead counsel in high-profile House ethics disciplinary hearings.

Prior to his government service, Blake practiced immigration and nationality law in the private sector. His practice focused on advising organizations with respect to immigration-related policy, employment issues and other related matters. Blake is a sought-after speaker and guest lecturer and has published many commentaries on immigration law including a book, Immigration Practice, which he co-authored. In 2000, he was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award by former Attorney General Janet Reno.

Education

  • Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1994
  • Auburn University, B.A., summa cum laude , 1991
  • University of Alabama, Bachelor of Arts Studies, 1988

More from Blake

Admissions

Bar admissions: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland

Court Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2024 to 2027

Named to "Crisis Leadership Trailblazers," The National Law Journal, 2020

Director’s Award for Meritorious Public Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (2001)

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Bar Association

Experience

Directed scores of Congressional investigations and oversight hearings on wide range of topics, including employment-based immigration, global immigration, federal claims processes, and ethics

Negotiated and drafted complex legislation

Advised Members of Congress on immigration and other policy matters

Litigated complex cases before state, federal and administrative tribunals

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Roundtable 2: Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Talent Mobility Risk in a More Complex Workforce Era.” People 1st| USA, Jersey City, NJ, 27 May 2026.

Speaker, “Roundtable: Are You as Compliant as You Think? Rethinking LCA and PERM as Enterprise Risk.” GME Live | Americas 2026, 27 May 2026.

Quoted, “DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 6 November 2025.

Co-author, “Cos. Should Prepare For Harsher H-1B Program Enforcement.” Law360, 7 October 2020.

Co-author, “The Blunt H-1B Instrument Hidden in Trump Orders.” Law360, 26 August 2020.

Guest Lecturer, Temple University Beasley School of Law (2011).

Contributing Editor, Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2008, 2009, 2010).

Author (with Robert C. Divine), Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2005, 2006).

Author, “BALCA’s Health America Decision Doesn’t Go Far Enough” (2006).

Author, “Ethics: What Do You Do When A Qualified U.S. Worker Applies?” (2006).

Author (with Ana Avendano), Immigration Issues in the Workplace, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Labor Law Series (2005).

Author, “Civil & Criminal Federal Case Update” (2005).

Author, “Writing and the REAL ID” (2005).

Author, “H-1B Myths and Realities,” American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2004-2005 Annual Handbook (2004).

Author, “PERM Practice Advisory” (2004).

Author, DSN Retailing Today, “The Time is Right to Reform Immigration” (2004).

Author, PHJW Client Alerts, including “Key Immigration Compliance Decisions” (2002) and “The New Anti-Terrorism Act: Consequences for U.S. and Foreign Corporations” (2001).

Author, “The Right to Asylum and Need for Legal Representation of People with Mental Disabilities in Immigration Proceedings,” Mental & Physical Disability Law Reporter, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 511-516 (July/Aug. 2001).

Author, ALI-ABA Study Materials, “Temporary Work Authorization for Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B),” “L-1 Intracompany Transfers of Managers, Executives and Employees with Specialized Knowledge,” and “Admission of Professionals Under NAFTA” (2001).

Presenter, Center on the Administration of Criminal Law and NYU Annual Survey of American Law Spring 2011 Symposium, “Policing, Regulating and Prosecuting Corruption” (2011).

Presenter, 41st Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute (2008).

Presenter, 25th Annual Legislative & Regulatory Roundtable, Electronic Industries Alliance (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Help Me Help Myself: Why Managing your Practice Well is the ‘Right’ Thing as Well as the ‘Smart’ Thing To Do” (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Employment Law for Immigration Lawyers” (2007).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2005).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “On the Fulcrum: Managing Migration and Protecting ‘U.S. Workers’ in the Real World Under Immigration and Employment Laws” (2005).

Moderator and Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “The REAL ID Act of 2005” (2005).

Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “PERM: An Up-to-the-Minute Course” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “Labor & Employment Law FAQs” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “H-1B Myths and Realities” (2004).

Presenter, Human Resources Professionals Update, “Immigration Compliance Issues” (2004).

Presenter, Nuts and Bolts of Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” and “Removal Proceedings and Defense” (2004).

Presenter, Society for Philosophy and Geography, “Sentries at the Gates: The Politics of Global Migration Control” (2004).

Presenter, Alabama Self Insurers Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2004).

Presenter, State of Georgia, Department of Human Resources, Refugee Program Conference, “Immigration Compliance: Exploring the Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Is There Life After INS?” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Impact of 9/11/2001” (2002).

Presenter, National Alliance for Multicultural Mental Health Annual Conference, “Immigration Proceedings & the Mentally Disabled” (2002).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “H-1Bs - Documenting Degree and Degree Equivalency and Specialty Occupations” (2002).

Presenter, ABA Annual Conference, “Immigration Detention: Perversities and Prospects” (2001).

Presenter, ALI/ABA Conference on Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” (2001).

Presenter, Detention Watch Network Conference, “Advanced Topics on Immigration Relief” and “New Developments in Asylum Law” (2001).

Presenter, York County Bar Association CLE Program, “At the Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law: Issues, Developments & Strategies” (1998).

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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Learn more
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Global Underwater Hub: The Specialist Skills Needed to Deliver Future Offshore Projects

Director Kelly Hardman explores how early UK immigration planning and investment in domestic skills can help offshore businesses access the specialist expertise needed to deliver future projects.

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SHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers

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Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Immigration After the Midterms: A New Congress, but Who Holds the Power?

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses the potential impact of the US midterm elections on immigration policy and the areas where bipartisan support could shape future developments.

Learn more

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In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what the framework could mean for employers, including potential impacts on sponsorship costs, retention planning, employee communications and support for internationally mobile workers and their families.

Learn more

Blog post

What the 2026 Midterm Election Results Mean for U.S. Business Immigration and Employers

In a new blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh examines what the election results could mean for employers and where businesses should focus now, from immigration compliance and workforce planning to state response procedures and preparation for increased scrutiny.

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The PIE: UK to Increase HPI Visa Cap and Expand Eligibility to 150 Universities

Manager Russell Hodges discusses how the HPI visa expansion could help UK employers attract global talent.

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Human Resources Director: Global Mobility Risk Can No Longer Be an HR Afterthought

Partner Jack Kim discusses how organizations can take a more strategic approach to global mobility through actionable intelligence, proactive workforce planning and preparation for geopolitical disruptions.

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Blog post

UK Budget 2026: What the Government’s Immigration Plans Mean for Employers

In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what this direction could mean for employers, including why access to international talent may increasingly be considered alongside investment, productivity, innovation, regional growth and long-term workforce development.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship by Descent: Finding Family Records and Navigating Polish Archives

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala and Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek explain how applicants pursuing Polish citizenship by descent can locate family records, navigate archives and obtain documentary evidence that can be used in citizenship proceedings.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Fragomen news

2026年10月 米国移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized in 2027 Best Law Firms® Rankings in the United States

Fragomen has been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms®, earning a National Tier 1 ranking in Immigration Law and 16 regional rankings across the United States.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Underwater Hub: The Specialist Skills Needed to Deliver Future Offshore Projects

Director Kelly Hardman explores how early UK immigration planning and investment in domestic skills can help offshore businesses access the specialist expertise needed to deliver future projects.

Learn more

Media mentions

SHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons explains the immigration, social security, insurance, employment law and tax risks that undisclosed international remote work can create for employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Immigration After the Midterms: A New Congress, but Who Holds the Power?

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses the potential impact of the US midterm elections on immigration policy and the areas where bipartisan support could shape future developments.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Earned Settlement: When Immigration Status Becomes an Incentive for Growth and Compliance

In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what the framework could mean for employers, including potential impacts on sponsorship costs, retention planning, employee communications and support for internationally mobile workers and their families.

Learn more

Blog post

What the 2026 Midterm Election Results Mean for U.S. Business Immigration and Employers

In a new blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh examines what the election results could mean for employers and where businesses should focus now, from immigration compliance and workforce planning to state response procedures and preparation for increased scrutiny.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: UK to Increase HPI Visa Cap and Expand Eligibility to 150 Universities

Manager Russell Hodges discusses how the HPI visa expansion could help UK employers attract global talent.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Expands Asia Pacific Presence with New Vietnam Offices

Fragomen has opened new offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, expanding its presence and immigration capabilities across Asia Pacific.

Learn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Director: Global Mobility Risk Can No Longer Be an HR Afterthought

Partner Jack Kim discusses how organizations can take a more strategic approach to global mobility through actionable intelligence, proactive workforce planning and preparation for geopolitical disruptions.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Budget 2026: What the Government’s Immigration Plans Mean for Employers

In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what this direction could mean for employers, including why access to international talent may increasingly be considered alongside investment, productivity, innovation, regional growth and long-term workforce development.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
November 6, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Regularization Initiative for Certain Yemeni Nationals
November 6, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 6, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Longer Employment Duration and Expanded Access Under Temporary Foreign Worker Program Low-Wage Stream
November 6, 2026 | IrelandIreland: Employment Permits Portal Offline Following Unauthorized Activity
November 6, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Pre-Travel Registration Now Possible for Land Border Arrivals, with Process to Become Mandatory in 2027
November 6, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Regularization Initiative for Certain Yemeni Nationals
November 6, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 6, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Longer Employment Duration and Expanded Access Under Temporary Foreign Worker Program Low-Wage Stream
November 6, 2026 | IrelandIreland: Employment Permits Portal Offline Following Unauthorized Activity
November 6, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Pre-Travel Registration Now Possible for Land Border Arrivals, with Process to Become Mandatory in 2027
November 6, 2026 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Regularization Initiative for Certain Yemeni Nationals
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