Important Updates
Important Updates
July 23, 2025 | IrelandIreland: 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists
July 23, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?
July 23, 2025 | EgyptEgypt: Power of Attorney Now Required Where Legal Representative Used in Residence Permit Application
July 23, 2025 | United KingdomGrand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas
July 23, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Tourist Visa Issuance for Chinese Nationals Resumes
July 23, 2025 | IrelandIreland: 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists
July 23, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?
July 23, 2025 | EgyptEgypt: Power of Attorney Now Required Where Legal Representative Used in Residence Permit Application
July 23, 2025 | United KingdomGrand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas
July 23, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Tourist Visa Issuance for Chinese Nationals Resumes
July 23, 2025 | IrelandIreland: 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists
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Senior Associate

Elizabeth Cleveland Wakefield

  • People

Senior Associate

Elizabeth Cleveland Wakefield

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

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Elizabeth is a Senior Associate at Fragomen’s Houston office, where she primarily advises clients on employment-based immigration matters. She partners with in-house counsel, human resources and executives to implement and execute strategies to meet clients’ most pressing U.S. immigration challenges. Elizabeth provides immigration solutions to businesses regarding temporary work visas, immigrant petitions and naturalization, as well as compliance and corporate restructuring issues. She has advised companies of all sizes in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate reorganizations, ensuring successful immigration compliance efforts.

Elizabeth is a regular public speaker and author. Her thought leadership has been showcased in numerous forums and spans a variety of topics—from the green card process to the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. immigration. Additionally, Elizabeth prioritizes community outreach and pro bono work in her practice. She currently serves as Fragomen Houston’s pro bono ambassador, helping to funnel public service work to the Houston office and its staff.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Elizabeth worked for another full-service immigration firm, where she represented corporate clients ranging in size from Fortune Global 100 corporations to family businesses. She also served as a Legal Fellow with the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, where she researched and composed memoranda analyzing U.S. immigration law for the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During law school, Elizabeth served as a Student Attorney with the University of Houston Immigration Clinic, where she helped to win an appeal from the Board of Immigration Appeals and contributed to federal policy memoranda. Elizabeth was also selected as a Research Assistant for a professor in the clinic. In addition, Elizabeth served as a Fellow with Mosaic Family Services, where she assisted clients with asylum cases and T and U visas.

Elizabeth speaks English and is proficient in Spanish.

During law school, Elizabeth served as a Student Attorney with the University of Houston Immigration Clinic, where she helped to win an appeal from the Board of Immigration Appeals and contributed to federal policy memoranda. Elizabeth was also selected as a Research Assistant for a professor in the clinic. In addition, Elizabeth served as a Fellow with Mosaic Family Services, where she assisted clients with asylum cases and T and U visas.

Elizabeth speaks English and is proficient in Spanish.

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2012
  • Sewanee: The University of the South, B.A., 2008

More from Elizabeth

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Texas

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White, Inc.), 2024

Named to Houston Business Journal’s 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards (American City Business Journals), 2023

Public Interest Fellowship Award, University of Houston Law Center, 2010

Wilkins Academic Merit Scholar, Sewanee: The University of the South, 2004-2008

Order of the Gownsmen, Sewanee: The University of the South, 2006 to 2008

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Member, Houston Bar Association

Member, Houston Young Lawyers Association

Member, Texas Bar Association

Member, Asia Society

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “GME Leaders Exchange | Houston.” Global Mobility Executive, Houston, TX, 5 June 2025.

Co-author, “Prepare your global energy workforce for the second Trump administration.” Energy Voice, 21 January 2025.

Co-author, “Work Within the Water.” World Pipelines, Volume 23, Number 8, Pages 35-38, August 2023.

Speaker, “Hiring Foreign Nationals in the U.S.: What HR Needs to Know.”  2023 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues, Houston, Texas, 13 July 2023.

Speaker, “’Right on the Money’ by Alan Jackson: Wage issues and processing updates.” AILA Texas Spring Conference, Austin, Texas, 31 March 2023.

Speaker, “Global Mobility Executive Houston Roundtable.” Global Mobility Executive Leaders Exchange, Houston, Texas, 30 March 2023.

Co-author, “White Paper: Immigration in the Offshore Energy and Maritime Industry.” Fragomen, 15 March 2023.

Speaker, “T’Expat Panel – Everything An Expat Needs To Know.” British American Business Council Texas, Webinar, 28 February 2023.

Co-author, “Don’t Let a Lack of U.S. Immigration Due Diligence Derail Corporate Reorganization.” Texas Lawyer, 14 September 2022.

Speaker, “Career Planning and Immigration: What HR Professionals Need to Know.” SHRM Gulf Coast Symposium, Houston, Texas, 28 July 2022.

Speaker, “T’Expat Panel – Everything An Expat Needs To Know.” British American Business Council Texas, Webinar, 5 April 2022.

Speaker, “T’Expat Panel – Everything An Expat Needs To Know.” British American Business Council Texas, Webinar, 17 March 2022.

Speaker, “911! An HR Toolkit to Prevent and Address U.S. Immigration Emergencies.” SHRM Gulf Coast Symposium, Houston, Texas, 3 August 2021.

Speaker, “Immigration Family Planning: What HR Professionals Need to Know.” SHRM Gulf Coast Symposium, Houston, Texas, 3 August 2021.

Speaker, “The Impact of COVID-19 and Presidential Proclamations on U.S. Immigration.” Association of Corporate Counsel Houston, Houston, Texas, 18 June 2020.

Speaker, “COVID-19 and U.S. Immigration.” SHRM HR Houston June General Meeting, Houston, Texas, 18 June 2020.

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3154

F:+1 281 605 3150

Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Elizabeth’s insights

June 5, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | HoustonRead more

January 22, 2025 | Media mentions

Energy Voice: Prepare Your Global Energy Workforce for the Second Trump AdministrationRead more

October 10, 2024 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange F2F USA | HoustonRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Media mentions

New Civil Engineer: The immigration white paper and the government’s Industrial Strategy – how do they compare?

Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.

Learn more

Video

Update on U.S. Tariffs | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.

Learn more

Media mentions

Saudi Gazette: Saudi Arabia’s Skill-Based Work Permit System Reshapes Expat Employment Landscape

Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.

Learn more

Podcast

Visa Policy Changes in Nigeria

Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Media mentions

New Civil Engineer: The immigration white paper and the government’s Industrial Strategy – how do they compare?

Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.

Learn more

Video

Update on U.S. Tariffs | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.

Learn more

Media mentions

Saudi Gazette: Saudi Arabia’s Skill-Based Work Permit System Reshapes Expat Employment Landscape

Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.

Learn more

Podcast

Visa Policy Changes in Nigeria

Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

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