Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2010 to 2026

Listed in Chambers and Partners USA, 2006 to 2025; Ranked as Eminent Practitioner for Florida

Named to “Florida Trailblazers,” Daily Business Review, 2019

Listed among “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys,” EB5 Investors Magazine, 2018, 2021, 2022

Listed in Who’s Who Legal, 2008, 2024

Elected Member, Board of Directors, UnidosUS

Director, Board of Catholic Charities Legal Services, Inc. 

Member, Citizen’s Board at the University of Miami

Member, American Bar Association

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Former Member, The Wall Street Journal CEO Council

Regularly represents companies in connection with Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) audits and Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division immigration-related investigations.

Manages the immigration compliance programs of major universities and research institutions in Florida.

Conducted a review of the exchange program partnerships for a major theme park operator to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations. Subsequently made recommendations on ways in which the company should modify its program.

In anticipation of a hotel room shortage during the 2006 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of State (DOS) to secure a special temporary authorization for 4,000 cruise line employees to work on several cruise ships which were leased to serve as floating hotels.

Worked with Congressional staff, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) on behalf of several cruise lines with regard to the admission of foreign workers for dry dock work in the U.S.

Led Republican Senate Staff for the Gang of Eight in negotiations and helped to draft legislation debated in the U.S. Senate to reform and modernize the U.S. immigration system.

Speaker, “Fragomen Webcast: Decoding The Latest U.S. Immigration Updates And Trends.” Fragomen, Webinar, 2 August 2023.

Interviewed, “Posibilidad de una nueva reforma migratoria.” Univision, Miami, FL, 28 February 2021.

Interviewed, "Trump's visa restrictions." WIOD Radio, 23 June 2020.

Contributor, “Trump’s visa restrictions will have impact on South Florida’s multinationals, tech firms.” Miami Herald, 22 June 2020.

Speaker, “I Go To Work – Employer Compliance.” Lecture, AILA South Florida 41^st Annual Immigration Update, Miami, FL, 28 February 2020.

Interviewed, “Comprar Casa En Ee.Uu Y Rentar Es Opción.” Fortune Mexico, 5 December 2019.

Speaker, “The New Public Charge Rule and I-9 Compliance and Raids.” Lecture, AILA South Florida CLE Luncheon, Miami, FL, 16 October 2019.

Interviewed, “Abogado explica las reglas de carga pública (Lawyer explains the public charge rules).” Univision, October 26, 2019.

Speaker, “Come Monday – Employer Compliance.” Lecture, AILA South Florida 40^th Annual Immigration Update, Miami, FL, 1 March 2019.

Speaker, “DACA: Administrative Attempts, Litigation Limbo.” Cornell Law School Dreamer Conference, New York, NY, 5 October 2018.

Speaker, “The Potholes and Sinkholes on the Road to Immigration Reform.” Lecture, International Hispanic Network, Miami, Florida, 7 November 2014.

Moderator, “Tax Planning and Compliance for EB-5: Planning and Implications for Immigrating to the U.S.” Lecture, IIUSA: Association to Invest in USA 4th Annual EB-5 Market Exchange, San Francisco, CA, 24 October 2014.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform in Flux: What's Your Company's Plan?” Lecture, Orange County Tech Alliance, Irvine, CA, 21 October 2014.

Speaker, “Immigration Issues: Anti-Bribery and What Your Business Needs to Know.” and “Legislative Issues and Government Relations.” Lectures, Worldwide ERC - Global Workforce Symposium, Chicago, IL, 9 October 2014.

Speaker, “Top Tips in Managing Business Expectations for Latin American Assignments.” Lecture, Forum for Expatriate Management's The Americas Global Mobility Summit, Orlando, Florida, 18 September 2014.

Speaker, “Cuban Immigration and U.S.-Cuba Relations.” Lecture, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 25 August 2014.

Speaker, “Immigration Update 2014.” Lecture, Hospitality Human Resources Association of South Florida, Miami, FL, 16 April 2014.

Speaker, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Update.” Lecture, AILA South Florida Chapter’s 35th Annual Immigration Law Update, Miami Beach, FL, February 2014.

Speaker, “The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.” Lecture, The Community College Conference on Legal Issues, Orlando, FL, 21 January 2014.

Speaker, “Immigration Basics Training.” Lecture, Human Resources Association of Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 15 January 2014.

Speaker, “829 Applications and Documenting Job Creation.” Lecture, Immigration Law Weekly's The EB-5 Summit for Attorneys and Developers, New York, NY, 13 December 2013.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform.” Lecture, Eighth Annual Equity and Diversity Conference, Gainesville, FL, 7 November 2013. 

Speaker, “Myths and Facts about Immigration.” Lecture, Miami Dade College, Miami, FL, 22 October 2013.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform.” Lecture, Florida International University School of Law, Miami, FL, 22 October 2013.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform.” Lecture, Practising Law Institute (PLI) 46th Annual Immigration and Naturalization Institute, New York, NY, 3 September 2013.

Speaker, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Lecture, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce’s Town Hall on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Coral Gables, FL, 27 August 2013.

Speaker, “State of APA: Beyond Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Lecture, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates 2013 National Convention, Washington, D.C., 19 July 2013.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform Update.” Lecture, Catholic Legal Service’s Lazy Days of Summer Interactive Workshop, Miami, FL, 12 July 2013.

Speaker, “S. 744 – Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.” Lecture, AJC Advocacy in Action, Washington, D.C., 19 June 2013.

Mentioned, “Getting to Maybe – Inside the Gang of Eight’s immigration deal.” The New Yorker, 17 June 2013.

Speaker, “The Impact of Immigration Reform on State and Local Governments.” Lecture, NCSL Taskforce on Immigration and the States, Washington, D.C., 14 June 2013.

Mentioned, “Hidden Hand: Enrique Gonzalez, Marco Rubio’s Immigration Attorney.” Bloomberg Businessweek, 13 June 2013.

Mentioned, “Miami’s Leon Fresco: The immigration mover and shaker you don’t know.” Miami Herald, 13 June 2013.

Speaker, “Reforming the Immigration System: Where Do We Stand?” Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2013.

Speaker, “Insights and Perspectives on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744).” Lecture, AHLA Labor Council, Washington, D.C., 17 May 2013.

Speaker, “Framing Immigration Reform: What’s At Stake.” Lecture, NCAPA 2013 Policy Summit, Washington, D.C., 7 May 2013.

Mentioned, “Latest Product From Tech Firms: An Immigration Bill.” The New York Times, 4 May 2013.

Speaker, “Immigration Reform: Possibilities and Pitfalls.” Lecture, AHLA Legislative Action Summit, Washington, D.C., 23 April 2013.

Mentioned, “How the immigration deal got made.” Politico, 17 April 2013.

Mentioned, “With endorsement of immigration plan, Rubio makes first major policy gambit of his career.” The Washington Post, 14 April 2013.

Speaker, “Update From The Hill.” Lecture, AILA 2013 Spring CLE Conference, Washington, D.C., 12 April 2013.

Speaker, “From the Ballot Box to Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Where Are We Now?” Lecture, NALEO Annual Gala Luncheon, Washington, D.C., 26 February 2013.

Speaker, “I-526 Petitions and Source of Funds Issues.” Lecture, Immigration Law Weekly’s The EB-5 Summit for Attorneys and Developers, New York, NY, 14 December 2012.

Speaker, “Emerging Issues Related to International Medical Graduates.” Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2012.

Speaker, “I Want to Rock and Roll All Night and Apply for O’s and P’s for Artists and Entertainers Everyday.” Lecture, AILA Audio Seminar, 22 May 2012.

Speaker, “How Will They Ever Know? More Ways that Employer’s Immigration Violations are Discovered.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, 30 November 2011.

Interviewee, “Consequencias de la Ley de Alabama.” Despierta America, Univision Television Network, Miami, FL, 10 October 2011.

Interviewee, “Lotería de Visas 2013 arranca al mediodía del 4 de octubre.” Despierta America, Univision Television Network, Miami, FL, 14 September 2011.

Interviewee, “Qiuen Merece una Suspension de Deportacion?” Despierta America, Univision Television Network, Miami, FL, 23 August 2011.

Speaker, “So You Want to Be a Designated Program Sponsor: What Does It Take.” Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2011.

Speaker, “Federal Immigration Audits for I-9 and H-1B Compliance.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL, 9 February 2011.

Speaker, “Special Compliance Issues for Certain Employers.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL 9 February 2011.

Speaker, “The E Visa: When is it the Best Option.” Lecture, AILA South Florida Chapter’s 32nd Annual Immigration Law Update, Miami Beach, FL, February 2011.

Speaker, “Global Immigration and Compliance Trends Impacting Higher Education and Research.” Lecture, National Association of Foreign Student Advisors Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, June 2010.

Speaker, "Save Me From Being Confused: J-1 Best Practices." Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2010.

Speaker, “H-2Bs.” Lecture, AILA National Conference, Las Vegas, NV, June 2009.

Speaker, “The Tail Wagging the Dog: The New OPT Regulations.” Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2009.

Speaker, Lecture, The Community College Conference on Legal Issues, Orlando, FL, February, 2009.

Speaker, “H-2Bs.” Lecture, AILA National Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 2008.

Speaker, “Employer Compliance and the Department of Homeland Security/Social Security Administration No-Match Letters.” Lecture, University of Miami School of Law’s Immigration Law & Policy: A Spectrum of Issues Facing the Business & Legal Community Symposium, Coral Gables, FL, March 2008.

Speaker, Lecture, The Community College Conference on Legal Issues, Orlando, FL, February 2008.

Speaker, “Navigating the H-2B Visa Process.” AILA Midyear CLE Conference, Hawaii, January 2008.

Speaker, “Form I-9 Compliance.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL, 2008.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2007.

Speaker, Lecture, AILA South Florida Chapter’s 28th Annual Immigration Law Update, Miami, FL, February 2007.

Speaker, “Form I-9 Compliance.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL, 2007.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2006.

Speaker, “Immigration Alternatives for Journalists.” Lecture, National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 2006.

Speaker, “Immigration Alternatives for Ship Maintenance Workers.” Lecture, AMEM Sea Trade Cruise Shipping Convention, Miami, FL, March 2006.

Speaker, Lecture, The Community College Conference on Legal Issues, Orlando, FL, February 2006.

Speaker, “The Visas Many of Us Avoid - Os, Ps, H-2Bs, and Js.” Lecture, AILA South Florida Chapter’s 27th Annual Immigration Law Update, Miami, FL, February 2006.

Speaker, “Mistakes That Can Cost Employers Money…Or Land Them In Jail.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2006.

Speaker, “How Non-Compliance Hurts Employers- Let Us Count the Ways.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2006.

Speaker, “Immigration Compliance: Avoiding Employer Liability and Criminal Penalties.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL, October 2005.

Speaker, “Demystifying Visas & Hiring International Students.” Lecture, Florida Career Centers, Fort Lauderdale, FL, August 2005.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2005.

Speaker, “Hiring Foreign Graduates.” Lecture, Florida Career Professionals Association (FCPA), Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 2005.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2004.

Speaker, “Inspections and Admission at US Ports-of-Entry.” Lecture, ACIP, Washington, D.C., June 2004.

Speaker, “Form I-9 Compliance.” Lecture, Lorman Education Services Conference, Orlando, FL, 2004.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2003.

Speaker, “Post September 11th Immigration and Student Visa Issue Changes in the Laws.” Lecture, Florida Bar Board of Examiners Education Law Seminar, Orlando, FL, June 2003.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Update.” Lecture, South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Miami, FL, August 2002.

Speaker, “Hiring Foreign Nationals – Opportunities and Pitfalls.” Lecture, NACUA 40th Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., June 2000.

Speaker, “Immigration Law Primer: INS at Your Doorstep.” Lecture, NACUA 39th Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, June 1999.