Important Updates
Important Updates
December 3, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
December 4, 2025 | United StatesForbes: Unprepared Companies At Risk In H-1B Visa Immigration Crackdown
December 4, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Stricter No-Boarding Directive to be Implemented for Flights to Singapore
December 4, 2025United States: USCIS Reduces Maximum Validity Period from Five Years to 18 Months for Several Categories of EADs, Including Adjustment of Status EADs
December 3, 2025 | BahrainBahrain: Minimum Real Estate Investment for Golden Residency Visa Reduced
December 3, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
December 4, 2025 | United StatesForbes: Unprepared Companies At Risk In H-1B Visa Immigration Crackdown
December 4, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Stricter No-Boarding Directive to be Implemented for Flights to Singapore
December 4, 2025United States: USCIS Reduces Maximum Validity Period from Five Years to 18 Months for Several Categories of EADs, Including Adjustment of Status EADs
December 3, 2025 | BahrainBahrain: Minimum Real Estate Investment for Golden Residency Visa Reduced
December 3, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
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Hugh Thistlewaite

Partner

Hugh Thistlethwaite

Hugh Thistlewaite
Hugh Thistlewaite
  • People

Partner

Hugh Thistlethwaite

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Hugh represents corporate clients in the financial and insurance industries, including hedge funds and private equity firms, on immigration issues involving employment-based temporary and permanent visa categories. Working as a trusted partner to his clients, Hugh understands how his work in ensuring the swift movement of employees around the world is helping businesses meet their profitability and competitive goals. He is especially skilled at guiding companies through challenging times, such as the 2008 global financial crisis.

Hugh also provides counsel to private clients regarding family-based permanent residence applications and U.S. citizenship applications.

He has extensive experience with the H-1B, L-1, E-3, TN, and O-1 visas.

Immigration law gives Hugh the opportunity to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. As someone who grew up in a small town, Hugh appreciates being able to meet people from all over the world, working closely with them to help them build a new life. He believes in giving immigrant communities the representation they deserve. He finds deep satisfaction in being able to guide a client through the complex regulatory environment of immigration law from start to finish, achieving a positive result at the end.

A trained actor before becoming a lawyer, Hugh has been able to use many similar skills in his legal career—most importantly the ability to really read and understand people and adjust his approach to each case based on their needs. This perceptiveness serves him well in a business that requires empathy. He can easily adapt to the styles of different personalities and develop customized solutions to their problems. His clients appreciate his clear communication, responsiveness, and intuition.

Giving back to the community through pro bono is of great importance to Hugh, who has worked with detained migrant women and children on asylum cases as well as immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence. He also serves as a mentor to a number of younger lawyers and case managers at the firm.

Immigration law gives Hugh the opportunity to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. As someone who grew up in a small town, Hugh appreciates being able to meet people from all over the world, working closely with them to help them build a new life. He believes in giving immigrant communities the representation they deserve. He finds deep satisfaction in being able to guide a client through the complex regulatory environment of immigration law from start to finish, achieving a positive result at the end.

A trained actor before becoming a lawyer, Hugh has been able to use many similar skills in his legal career—most importantly the ability to really read and understand people and adjust his approach to each case based on their needs. This perceptiveness serves him well in a business that requires empathy. He can easily adapt to the styles of different personalities and develop customized solutions to their problems. His clients appreciate his clear communication, responsiveness, and intuition.

Giving back to the community through pro bono is of great importance to Hugh, who has worked with detained migrant women and children on asylum cases as well as immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence. He also serves as a mentor to a number of younger lawyers and case managers at the firm.

Education

  • New York Law School, J.D., summa cum laude , 2005
  • New York University, B.A., cum laude , 1999

More from Hugh

Admissions

Bar Admissions: New York

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member, Association for the Bar of the City of New York

Experience

Successfully represented an insurance company during a Labor Condition Application/Public Access File investigation by the Department of Labor.

Regularly advises companies in the financial services sector on the immigration consequences of corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

Assists business executives within the financial services sector with successfully obtaining O-1 nonimmigrant status based upon their extraordinary ability.

Publications and lectures

Guest Lecturer on immigration and nationality law at New York Law School, Columbia University, and City University of New York.

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2817

F:+1 212 202 4852

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Hugh’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 20, 2017 | Pro bono

Fragomen Sends Pro Bono Team to DilleyRead more

October 21, 2016 | Pro bono

Fragomen in Dilley for CARA Family Detention Pro Bono ProjectRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Forbes: Unprepared Companies At Risk In H-1B Visa Immigration Crackdown

Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.

Learn more

Video

United States: 2025 Holiday Travel Guidelines for Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: Labor Department Expands H-1B Oversight, Tests Enforcement Power

Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: Is Settlement Reform Rewarding Contribution or Rewriting the Rules of Fairness and Trust?

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.

Learn more

Podcast

Canada's Healthcare Staffing Solution

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025

Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Rising Immigration Fraud Creates New Compliance Challenges for US Firms

Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Casual Staff to Come Under New Right to Work Check Legislation

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.

Learn more

Video

Vuvuzelas, Visas and Victory - Moving Football Across Africa | #FragomenFC - Ep. 12

Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: UK to Create New Fast-Track Residency Path for High-Earners

Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.

Learn more

Blog post

Georgia Immigration Reform 2025: New Residence Permit Scrutiny for Foreign Nationals

Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Hertfordshire Latest to Be Placed on Student Visa ‘Action Plan’

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.

Learn more

Media mentions

Forbes: Unprepared Companies At Risk In H-1B Visa Immigration Crackdown

Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.

Learn more

Video

United States: 2025 Holiday Travel Guidelines for Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: Labor Department Expands H-1B Oversight, Tests Enforcement Power

Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: Is Settlement Reform Rewarding Contribution or Rewriting the Rules of Fairness and Trust?

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.

Learn more

Podcast

Canada's Healthcare Staffing Solution

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025

Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Rising Immigration Fraud Creates New Compliance Challenges for US Firms

Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Casual Staff to Come Under New Right to Work Check Legislation

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.

Learn more

Video

Vuvuzelas, Visas and Victory - Moving Football Across Africa | #FragomenFC - Ep. 12

Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: UK to Create New Fast-Track Residency Path for High-Earners

Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.

Learn more

Blog post

Georgia Immigration Reform 2025: New Residence Permit Scrutiny for Foreign Nationals

Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Hertfordshire Latest to Be Placed on Student Visa ‘Action Plan’

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.

Learn more

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