R. Blake Chisam

Partner

Blake Chisam

R. Blake Chisam
R. Blake Chisam
  • People

Partner

Blake Chisam

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Blake is a Partner at Fragomen’s Washington, DC office, where he focuses on risk management and compliance, along with government strategies.

Blake was previously senior counsel to the immigration subcommittee for the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, where he worked on policy and oversight issues related to employment-based immigration, international law, border security, immigration enforcement, refugee issues, naturalization and citizenship. In addition to his former role with the House Judiciary Committee, Blake served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee) from 2009-2011, and counsel to the Ethics Committee Chair and Senior Policy Advisor to Representative Zoe Lofgren in 2009. During his tenure, Blake directed an unprecedented number of complex Congressional ethics investigations and served as lead counsel in high-profile House ethics disciplinary hearings.

Prior to his government service, Blake practiced immigration and nationality law in the private sector. His practice focused on advising organizations with respect to immigration-related policy, employment issues and other related matters. Blake is a sought-after speaker and guest lecturer and has published many commentaries on immigration law including a book, Immigration Practice, which he co-authored. In 2000, he was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award by former Attorney General Janet Reno.

Education

  • Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1994
  • Auburn University, B.A., summa cum laude , 1991
  • University of Alabama, Bachelor of Arts Studies, 1988

More from Blake

Admissions

Bar admissions: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland

Court Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2024 to 2027

Named to "Crisis Leadership Trailblazers," The National Law Journal, 2020

Director’s Award for Meritorious Public Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (2001)

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Bar Association

Experience

Directed scores of Congressional investigations and oversight hearings on wide range of topics, including employment-based immigration, global immigration, federal claims processes, and ethics

Negotiated and drafted complex legislation

Advised Members of Congress on immigration and other policy matters

Litigated complex cases before state, federal and administrative tribunals

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Roundtable 2: Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Talent Mobility Risk in a More Complex Workforce Era.” People 1st| USA, Jersey City, NJ, 27 May 2026.

Speaker, “Roundtable: Are You as Compliant as You Think? Rethinking LCA and PERM as Enterprise Risk.” GME Live | Americas 2026, 27 May 2026.

Quoted, “DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 6 November 2025.

Co-author, “Cos. Should Prepare For Harsher H-1B Program Enforcement.” Law360, 7 October 2020.

Co-author, “The Blunt H-1B Instrument Hidden in Trump Orders.” Law360, 26 August 2020.

Guest Lecturer, Temple University Beasley School of Law (2011).

Contributing Editor, Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2008, 2009, 2010).

Author (with Robert C. Divine), Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2005, 2006).

Author, “BALCA’s Health America Decision Doesn’t Go Far Enough” (2006).

Author, “Ethics: What Do You Do When A Qualified U.S. Worker Applies?” (2006).

Author (with Ana Avendano), Immigration Issues in the Workplace, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Labor Law Series (2005).

Author, “Civil & Criminal Federal Case Update” (2005).

Author, “Writing and the REAL ID” (2005).

Author, “H-1B Myths and Realities,” American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2004-2005 Annual Handbook (2004).

Author, “PERM Practice Advisory” (2004).

Author, DSN Retailing Today, “The Time is Right to Reform Immigration” (2004).

Author, PHJW Client Alerts, including “Key Immigration Compliance Decisions” (2002) and “The New Anti-Terrorism Act: Consequences for U.S. and Foreign Corporations” (2001).

Author, “The Right to Asylum and Need for Legal Representation of People with Mental Disabilities in Immigration Proceedings,” Mental & Physical Disability Law Reporter, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 511-516 (July/Aug. 2001).

Author, ALI-ABA Study Materials, “Temporary Work Authorization for Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B),” “L-1 Intracompany Transfers of Managers, Executives and Employees with Specialized Knowledge,” and “Admission of Professionals Under NAFTA” (2001).

Presenter, Center on the Administration of Criminal Law and NYU Annual Survey of American Law Spring 2011 Symposium, “Policing, Regulating and Prosecuting Corruption” (2011).

Presenter, 41st Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute (2008).

Presenter, 25th Annual Legislative & Regulatory Roundtable, Electronic Industries Alliance (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Help Me Help Myself: Why Managing your Practice Well is the ‘Right’ Thing as Well as the ‘Smart’ Thing To Do” (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Employment Law for Immigration Lawyers” (2007).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2005).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “On the Fulcrum: Managing Migration and Protecting ‘U.S. Workers’ in the Real World Under Immigration and Employment Laws” (2005).

Moderator and Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “The REAL ID Act of 2005” (2005).

Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “PERM: An Up-to-the-Minute Course” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “Labor & Employment Law FAQs” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “H-1B Myths and Realities” (2004).

Presenter, Human Resources Professionals Update, “Immigration Compliance Issues” (2004).

Presenter, Nuts and Bolts of Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” and “Removal Proceedings and Defense” (2004).

Presenter, Society for Philosophy and Geography, “Sentries at the Gates: The Politics of Global Migration Control” (2004).

Presenter, Alabama Self Insurers Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2004).

Presenter, State of Georgia, Department of Human Resources, Refugee Program Conference, “Immigration Compliance: Exploring the Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Is There Life After INS?” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Impact of 9/11/2001” (2002).

Presenter, National Alliance for Multicultural Mental Health Annual Conference, “Immigration Proceedings & the Mentally Disabled” (2002).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “H-1Bs - Documenting Degree and Degree Equivalency and Specialty Occupations” (2002).

Presenter, ABA Annual Conference, “Immigration Detention: Perversities and Prospects” (2001).

Presenter, ALI/ABA Conference on Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” (2001).

Presenter, Detention Watch Network Conference, “Advanced Topics on Immigration Relief” and “New Developments in Asylum Law” (2001).

Presenter, York County Bar Association CLE Program, “At the Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law: Issues, Developments & Strategies” (1998).

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Australia’s net migration figures and recent changes to the country’s migration policies.

Learn more

Blog post

Can International Graduates in the Netherlands Qualify for the 30% Ruling? Eligibility Rules Explained

Tiemen Peters, Silvia Norte Mercade and Soraya Driessen outline when international graduates who studied in the Netherlands may qualify for the 30% ruling and the key eligibility, timing and compliance considerations for graduates and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how recent immigration developments may affect the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence for U.S. employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes: What Do They Mean for Employers in Northern England?

Manager Ko Ito, Senior Immigration Consultant Danielle Barks, Associate Naureen Malik and Trainee Solicitor Amna Ali outline how the expanded UK Right to Work Scheme could affect employers in Northern England and the practical steps businesses can take ahead of the 1 October 2026 changes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Traveller: Six Months in, the EU’s Entry/Exit System Isn’t Working

Partner Christine Sullivan discusses the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across member states and at border crossing points.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship by Descent: A Practical Guide for 2026

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala, Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek and Senior Immigration Consultant Paulina Fołta-Cisak discuss who may qualify for Polish citizenship by descent, how historical events can affect a claim and what applicants should expect from the 2026 confirmation process.

Learn more

Media mentions

ABC News: What Australia can learn from 165 years of migration data

Senior Counsel Anna Boucher is quoted in ABC News regarding Australia's migration debate and what more than 165 years of migration data reveals about long-term immigration trends.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2026: Are Work Permit Quotas Likely to Run Out Before Year-End?

Senior Immigration Consultant Alessandra Rüede discusses Switzerland’s 2026 work permit quota utilisation and what current availability, canton-level allocation practices and processing considerations mean for employers planning international hiring and mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

From Investment to Merit: Malta’s Citizenship Reset

Director Isobel Neilson and Manager Sophie Jo Wasson discuss Malta’s shift from citizenship by investment to merit-based naturalisation and outline what may contribute to a compelling application based on exceptional merit and national interest.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Letter to ICE/Student and Exchange Visitor Program on Curricular Practical TrainingLearn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes from 1 October 2026: Why Employers Need to Act Now

Partner Naomi Goldshtein discusses the UK Right to Work changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and what employers should do now to strengthen identity verification, workforce oversight and compliance across direct and extended worker populations.

Learn more

Awards

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup Appointed to Dutch Bar Legislative Committee on Immigration Law

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup has been appointed to the Dutch Bar’s Legislative Committee on Immigration Law, where she will contribute input and advice on proposed and existing immigration legislation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Australia’s net migration figures and recent changes to the country’s migration policies.

Learn more

Blog post

Can International Graduates in the Netherlands Qualify for the 30% Ruling? Eligibility Rules Explained

Tiemen Peters, Silvia Norte Mercade and Soraya Driessen outline when international graduates who studied in the Netherlands may qualify for the 30% ruling and the key eligibility, timing and compliance considerations for graduates and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how recent immigration developments may affect the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence for U.S. employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes: What Do They Mean for Employers in Northern England?

Manager Ko Ito, Senior Immigration Consultant Danielle Barks, Associate Naureen Malik and Trainee Solicitor Amna Ali outline how the expanded UK Right to Work Scheme could affect employers in Northern England and the practical steps businesses can take ahead of the 1 October 2026 changes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Traveller: Six Months in, the EU’s Entry/Exit System Isn’t Working

Partner Christine Sullivan discusses the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across member states and at border crossing points.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship by Descent: A Practical Guide for 2026

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala, Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek and Senior Immigration Consultant Paulina Fołta-Cisak discuss who may qualify for Polish citizenship by descent, how historical events can affect a claim and what applicants should expect from the 2026 confirmation process.

Learn more

Media mentions

ABC News: What Australia can learn from 165 years of migration data

Senior Counsel Anna Boucher is quoted in ABC News regarding Australia's migration debate and what more than 165 years of migration data reveals about long-term immigration trends.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2026: Are Work Permit Quotas Likely to Run Out Before Year-End?

Senior Immigration Consultant Alessandra Rüede discusses Switzerland’s 2026 work permit quota utilisation and what current availability, canton-level allocation practices and processing considerations mean for employers planning international hiring and mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

From Investment to Merit: Malta’s Citizenship Reset

Director Isobel Neilson and Manager Sophie Jo Wasson discuss Malta’s shift from citizenship by investment to merit-based naturalisation and outline what may contribute to a compelling application based on exceptional merit and national interest.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Letter to ICE/Student and Exchange Visitor Program on Curricular Practical TrainingLearn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes from 1 October 2026: Why Employers Need to Act Now

Partner Naomi Goldshtein discusses the UK Right to Work changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and what employers should do now to strengthen identity verification, workforce oversight and compliance across direct and extended worker populations.

Learn more

Awards

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup Appointed to Dutch Bar Legislative Committee on Immigration Law

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup has been appointed to the Dutch Bar’s Legislative Committee on Immigration Law, where she will contribute input and advice on proposed and existing immigration legislation.

Learn more
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