Important Updates
Important Updates
December 8, 2025 | GeorgiaGeorgia: New Information Technology Sector Permit
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 8, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: New Mobile App for Biometrics Collection for Certain Eligible Visa Applicants
December 8, 2025 | CanadaCanada: New Express Entry Category and Immigration Measures for Foreign Doctors Announced
December 8, 2025 | GeorgiaGeorgia: New Information Technology Sector Permit
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 8, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: New Mobile App for Biometrics Collection for Certain Eligible Visa Applicants
December 8, 2025 | CanadaCanada: New Express Entry Category and Immigration Measures for Foreign Doctors Announced
December 8, 2025 | GeorgiaGeorgia: New Information Technology Sector Permit
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Photo of Michelle Shepard

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Photo of Michelle Shepard
Photo of Michelle Shepard
  • People

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

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Michelle, Counsel at Fragomen’s Boston office, has more than 12 years of immigration experience, including with nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions, Requests for Evidence and other nonimmigrant visa related filings (Denials, NOIR, NOID, 221(g)), H-1B and AC21 matters.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Michelle was a Partner at an immigration law firm in Boston, where she managed the immigrant visa team. She assisted clients permanent residency strategy and family-based green card processing, including marriage-based and immediate-relative based filings. Michelle also previously managed her prior firm’s nonimmigrant visa department, including all aspects of H-1B, L-1, TN, E-3 and B-1 matters, among others. She worked with corporate clients to help them grow their businesses by ensuring their employees and employees’ families had the necessary visa strategy in place.

During law school, Michelle wrote for and was published in the New England Journal of International and Comparative Law.

Education

  • New England Law - Boston, J.D., 2012
  • Johnson and Wales University, B.S., 2009

More from Michelle

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts, Georgia

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2026

Listed in Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” 2020-2022

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Treasurer, AILA New England Chapter, 2023-2024

Member, AILA New England Chapter

Member, Law Student Liaison Committee, AILA New England Chapter

Member, Conference Planning Committee, AILA New England Chapter

Member, New England ProVisors

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Life After Graduation: Immigration 101.” Fragomen and Interstride, Webinar, 12 February 2025.

Speaker, “Introductions, FDNS Site Visits, and RFE/Notice Expectations as a Result of the FY2024 CAP.” ITServe Alliance, Webinar, 10 May 2023.

Speaker, “Compliance Audits and Immigration Updates.” ITServe Alliance New England Chapter, 22 March 2023.

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Share

  • Twitter
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  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay in touch

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