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May 6, 2026 | United KingdomGlobal Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process
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Porthole Headshot image of Fragomen [SanDiego][Associate][RuthSpillane]

Partner

Ruth Spillane

Landscape hero image of Fragomen [SanDiego][Associate][RuthSpillane]
Porthole Headshot image of Fragomen [SanDiego][Associate][RuthSpillane]
  • People

Partner

Ruth Spillane

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

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Clients seek Ruth’s advice on the policies that guide and define their immigration programs. This work involves deep analysis of her clients’ business objectives, which she translates into a set of policy principles that serve both the individual immigrant employee and the company as a whole.

She is also a skilled tactician, offering practical, day-to-day guidance that balances clients’ business objectives against the external variables that impact the immigration process, including turmoil caused by economic tumult, shifts in regulatory policy and public health crises. Her obsession with detail and tireless oversight of her clients’ projects often yield strategic opportunities that would otherwise remain overlooked.

As a result, she’s forged long-term, highly cooperative relationships with clients, many of whom have worked with her for more than a decade and have come to regard her counsel as an integral part of their evolving business strategy. Her largest single client—a Fortune 500 technology company—has relied on her advice and positive influence through 15 years of company-altering transactions, economic downturns and recoveries, and whipsaw changes in immigration policy.

Ruth was inspired to pursue a career in immigration law by the experiences of her father, who immigrated to the United States from Ireland in his early 20s, and a law school internship with the Legal Aid Society through which she worked on refugee and asylum cases. These early encounters with the process introduced her to the unique human experience of the immigrant—a concern that remains at the core of her work to this day.

She continues to represent disadvantaged and marginalized people as a volunteer attorney for the Casa Cornelia Law Center, where she assists with the preparation of Violence Against Women Act petitions for immigrant victims of domestic violence and U visa petitions to provide immigration benefits to victims of criminal activity.

She also proudly serves on the board of the San Diego County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association, an organization that advocates for communities impacted by poverty, abuse and discrimination.

Ruth was inspired to pursue a career in immigration law by the experiences of her father, who immigrated to the United States from Ireland in his early 20s, and a law school internship with the Legal Aid Society through which she worked on refugee and asylum cases. These early encounters with the process introduced her to the unique human experience of the immigrant—a concern that remains at the core of her work to this day.

She continues to represent disadvantaged and marginalized people as a volunteer attorney for the Casa Cornelia Law Center, where she assists with the preparation of Violence Against Women Act petitions for immigrant victims of domestic violence and U visa petitions to provide immigration benefits to victims of criminal activity.

She also proudly serves on the board of the San Diego County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association, an organization that advocates for communities impacted by poverty, abuse and discrimination.

Education

  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2008
  • Florida Atlantic University, Bachelor of Arts, 2004

More from Ruth

Admissions

Bar Admissions: California

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in San Diego Business Journal’s Women of Influence in Law, 2025

Named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2024

Inn of Court Pro Bono Publico Award, Casa Cornelia Law Center’s 10th Annual La Mancha Awards, 2019

Listed among “Top 40 Under 40,” Daily Transcript, 2019

Listed in Super Lawyers as “Rising Star,” 2016 to 2018

San Diego County Top Attorney Finalist in Immigration Law, 2013

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Member, California Bar Association

Member, San Diego Bar Association

Member, Lawyers Club of San Diego

Board Member, San Diego County Bar Foundation

Experience

Represents companies across various industries in structuring and managing NIV and permanent residency programs, including providing strategic solutions to complex issues, advising on travel and consular issues and I-9 compliance.

Oversight of NIV programs, including H-1B, L-1, TN, E-3 and O-1 filings. This includes coordinating high volume H-1B cap lottery registration and filings for large global corporations as well as smaller-sized industry leaders.

Management of permanent residency programs, including PERM, immigrant petitions and green card filings This oversight includes providing guidance relative to policy decisions, updates on procedures and trends and training with corporate clients’ internal immigration teams.

Strategically manages immigration updates from mergers and acquisitions, including coordinating requisite filings with internal teams, communication to employees and developing strategies for complex cases.

Publications and lectures

Quoted, “How Trump's Latest Suspension of Worker Visas Could Affect Tech Industry.” The Recorder, 23 June 2020.

Quoted, “Employment Authorization Delays Leave Businesses in Lurch.” Law360, 26 March 2019.

Quoted, “ICE Work-Site Enforcement Likely to Borrow from Obama, Bush.” Bloomberg Law, 5 February 2018.

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th 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:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th 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:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th 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:+1 858 793 1600

F:+1 858 793 1686

Fragomen in San Diego, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

5355 Mira Sorrento Place, Suite 750

San Diego CA 92121

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ruth’s insights

July 8, 2025 | Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in LawRead more

August 19, 2024 | Awards

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

August 17, 2023 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.

Learn more

Fragomen news

European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium Report: Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."

Learn more

Work authorization

From Investment to EU Residence: Why Italy’s Investor Visa is Gaining Momentum

Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.

Learn more

Fragomen news

European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium Report: Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."

Learn more

Work authorization

From Investment to EU Residence: Why Italy’s Investor Visa is Gaining Momentum

Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.

Learn more

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