Important Updates
Important Updates
December 9, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: CBP Plans Changes to the ESTA Application Process, Including Social Media Review
December 10, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Immigration Authorities Require Foreign Nationals on Parental Leave to Change to Non-Work Permit
December 10, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: New Internship Policy to Require Employers with Employment Pass Employees to Hire Interns
December 9, 2025 | United StatesThe New York Times: U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History
December 9, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Naura Moved to Visa National List
December 9, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: CBP Plans Changes to the ESTA Application Process, Including Social Media Review
December 10, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Immigration Authorities Require Foreign Nationals on Parental Leave to Change to Non-Work Permit
December 10, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: New Internship Policy to Require Employers with Employment Pass Employees to Hire Interns
December 9, 2025 | United StatesThe New York Times: U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History
December 9, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Naura Moved to Visa National List
December 9, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: CBP Plans Changes to the ESTA Application Process, Including Social Media Review
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James Pack

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Partner

James Pack

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  • United StatesUnited States

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T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

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[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Leading the firm's Irvine office, James has built a well-rounded, robust immigration practice that delivers Fragomen’s large-firm resources with a small-firm service touch.

The common denominator of his practice is its variety. He represents clients of many sizes from every stage in the corporate lifecycle, from Fortune 500 companies through individual entrepreneurs (and their families).

They are drawn from a diversity of industries and sectors, including technology (semiconductor, biomedical and wireless companies) entertainment (movie studios, animation studios and video game producers), manufacturing (appliances and electric vehicle manufacturers) and pharmaceutical companies.

This wide-ranging experience allows James to deploy the full range of immigration options on behalf of his clients. He develops effective strategies that are tailored to the specific challenges of each client; he particularly enjoys helping companies with a handful of employees transition into programs managing hundreds of immigration cases.

Relentless improvement and re-evaluation of processes are key to his success. He subjects new client programs and policies to an exhaustive analysis to define the client’s objectives and capabilities; longtime clients benefit from periodic and regular reimagination of their programs from the ground up.

James serves his profession and the wider community through the Orange County Bar Association, which he has served in several capacities. He is currently a board member of the Association’s charitable fund. He has also served as Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and as President of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

This wide-ranging experience allows James to deploy the full range of immigration options on behalf of his clients. He develops effective strategies that are tailored to the specific challenges of each client; he particularly enjoys helping companies with a handful of employees transition into programs managing hundreds of immigration cases.

Relentless improvement and re-evaluation of processes are key to his success. He subjects new client programs and policies to an exhaustive analysis to define the client’s objectives and capabilities; longtime clients benefit from periodic and regular reimagination of their programs from the ground up.

James serves his profession and the wider community through the Orange County Bar Association, which he has served in several capacities. He is currently a board member of the Association’s charitable fund. He has also served as Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and as President of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

Education

  • Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, J.D., 1997
  • Arizona State University, B.Sc., 1994

More from James

Admissions

Bar Admissions: California, Arizona

Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2019 to 2026

Named as a 2021 Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2021

Professional accomplishments

Former Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, USCIS Ombudsman Liaison Committee

Former Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, California Service Center Liaison Committee

Former Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Southern California Chapter

Former Chair, Orange County Bar Association Immigration Section

Member, Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors

Former President, Orange County Asian American Bar Association

Chair, Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund, Annual Golf Tournament Committee

Member, Arizona State University Alumni Group

Experience

Provided immigration counsel to companies that employ highly educated scientists working on cutting-edge wireless communication technologies

Worked with entertainment studios, video game developers, and other companies in the computer graphics design field

Secured an intracompany transfer visa for the Chief Technical Officer of a company that designs and develops custom applications for major online social networking websites and brand name high technology products

Obtained green cards for scientists and engineers working in biotechnology, alternative energy sources, and wildlife conservation through National Interest Waivers and other immigrant visa classifications

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Immigration Law for Agribusiness Employers.” California Lawyers Association, Webinar, 21 March 2023.

Quoted, “Trump Orders Freeze on Many Work Visas Through End of Year (3).” Bloomberg Law Daily Labor Report, 23 June 2020.

Presenter, “Immigration Impact of COVID-19.” Octane, 13 May 2020.

Quoted, “Fragomen guides US visa holders through fog of pandemic.” Daily Journal, 20 April 2020.

Quoted, “Caution Student-Employees Against Travel Abroad During ‘Cap-Gap’ Period.” Society for Human Resource Management, 18 April 2019.

Moderator, “Managing Client Expectations.” 2018 American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 2018.

Moderator, “Building a Practice of Extraordinary Clients.” 2017 American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 2017.

Discussion leader, “Show Me the Money! Corporate Law for the Immigration Practitioner.” Web conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 15, 2016.

Discussion leader, “My ‘Professional’ Employee Doesn’t Have a Degree! NIV Options for Non-Degreed Professionals.” Presentation, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., June 17, 2015.

Author, “What happens to work visas when employees are laid off?” Daily Journal, June 3, 2015: n. pag. Web.

Panel presenter, “CBP, You Have to Let Me Know—Should I Stay or Should I Go? Issues in Maintaining LPR Status.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, June 2015.

Panel presenter, “The Dangers of Material Misrepresentation and Fraud in Immigration.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, June 2014.

Panel presenter, “Keeping a Proper Scorecard – I-9 Compliance and E-Verify.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, February 2015.

Panel presenter, “Hot Topics in PERM.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, January 20, 2010.

Panel presenter, Nexus Journal, Immigration Law Symposium, Chapman University of Law, February 20, 2008.

Panel Presenter, “Immigration Update.” 80th Annual Meeting of the State Bar of California, September 28, 2007.

Panel presenter, “O’s and P’s: Getting Results.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, February 24, 2004.

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

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Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

UK Expands HPI Visa: What’s New in 2025

The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.

Learn more

Video

UK Widens Access to the High Potential Individual Visa to Attract the World’s Top Graduate Talent | #MobilityMinute

The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.

Learn more

Media mentions

International Organisation of Employers: The Gulf Experience: Building a Skilled Workforce in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US to Scan Social Media of All H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants from December 15

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.

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

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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

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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

Blog post

UK Expands HPI Visa: What’s New in 2025

The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.

Learn more

Video

UK Widens Access to the High Potential Individual Visa to Attract the World’s Top Graduate Talent | #MobilityMinute

The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.

Learn more

Media mentions

International Organisation of Employers: The Gulf Experience: Building a Skilled Workforce in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US to Scan Social Media of All H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants from December 15

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.

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

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