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The Senate passes comprehensive legislation. What would be the business reforms if the legislation is adopted?
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1
LA GRANDE REFORME DE
L’IMMIGRATION AMERICAINE: 2013
Eliot Norman Williams Mullen
Washington, D.C. [email protected]
European American Chamber of Commerce26 juin 2013
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Day after President cites immigration reform among policy priorities in his inaugural address. immigration advocacy groups urge Washington to act
Janvier 2013: La Bataille Commence
• President Obama’s Inaugural Speech , January 15, 2013
• Waiting for 4 years,
• Et dans le Sénat
• L’opinion publique?
• Du progrès: janvier-avril 2013
• Le President un peu a la cote
3
April 2013: Foreign Terrorists Attack
• Boy, 8, one of 3 killed in bombings at Boston Marathon; 176 wounded
April 18, 2013• Bombing Manhunt for Chechen Brothers
Shuts down City, 1 million persons locked in homes
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Nos héros dans la bataille
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Gang of Eight
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April 2013: 8 Senators Say Boston No Excuse To Nix Immigration Deal | Fox News ...
“Gang of Eight”
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Why Bipartisan ?
• republicans as vocal as democrats
• la motivation des republicains…
• Analysis of election returns..
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Path to Citizenship
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Who is Responsbile
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The Grand Bargain
• Path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants
• Seal the Border
• Worksite Enforcement inside the USA
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Solves this Dilemnan
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Employer Compliance : Worksite Inspections
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Obama: The troubles I have seen
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Et le NSA…..
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Où sommes-nous fin juin 2013?
• Gang of Eight
Working away
From April to June • Absent from Scene: President Obama• Judiciary Committee vote 15-5• Vote against Filibuster 82-17• 200 Amendments: nearly all defeated • CBO report: Deficit reduction $300 billion• Final Vote : before June 30 . Comprehensive
Legislation is becoming a reality?26
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II
L’Impact potentiel sur les compagnies
francaises?
Après tout, ce n’est pas notre affaire?
• not our Gang of Eight or 7 Samurai• not our 11 million “sans papiers”• not our concern whether
– Road to citizenship or – Border security? Not our billions to
spend?
• Interesting but maybe only of academic interest,
• Like an American looking at reform of age of retirement in France or adoption of gay marriage
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2 Bargains Le Grand •Path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants•Seal the Border: •Worksite Enforcement inside the USA
Le Petit (qui n’entre pas trop dans le grand débat) •acceleration and expansion of all sorts of business visas: goal of helping U.S. businesses recruit & retain global talent. “visa express” like Federal Express
Both will have profound impacts on use of human capital for French companies in North American market.
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Un cas pratique
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South Carolina
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• Mobile, AL (Airbus)• Savannah, GA (Gulfstream-General Dynamics) • Charleston, SC (Boeing)• Greensboro, NC (Hondajet)• Durham, NC (GE Aviation)• Richmond/Petersburg, VA (Rolls-Royce)• Melbourne, Fla (Embraer
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The New Southeast U.S. Aerospace Cluster Eliot [email protected] [email protected]
The Big 3
• Rolls Royce
• Boeing
• Airbus
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Attention! Homeland Security remains in charge of
immigration to the USA
What Does it matter : Procedural Impacts
• what does it have with French companies chasing business in the USA?
• Procedural Changes impact moving personnel generally, slowdown like with 9/11
• Reform means l’incertitude et les delais • Already seeing it happening with sequestration
and Ports of entry
• CBP attitudes.
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IMPACT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• Multiple Government Agencies• ICE • CBP • Dept. of Labor ($$ and wages) • New Visa Controls at the Embassies• New Airport and Border Controls• Montoring Exits and Entries electronically• USCIS (inadequate funding)
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Worksite Enforcement à l’Américaine
Worksite Enforcement
• example of French company in NJ
• photo of boxes
• more of this, like in UK.
• Audits, particularly H-1Bs
• fines, criminal enforcement
• Problèmes avec 1099s, sous-traitants, IRS et ICE
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ICE, CBP and Homeland Security
• à la douane
• WSJ article: les délais
• attitude de CBP
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USCIS: Service a la clientèle?
• explain split of functions between U.S. Dept. of State and USCIS
• Lack of resources?
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Embassy of the United States of AmericaVisa Branch
2, Avenue Gabriel75008 Paris, France
VIA E-MAIL TRANSMISSION Date: 12-Jun-13Mr. Eliot NormanAttorney at Law
William Mullen (Richmond)200 South 10th Street, Suite 1600
Richmond VA 23219Reference number: 2013163 843 1Treaty Investor/Treaty Trader Treaty Investor/Treaty Trader
Dear Mr. Norman:As you are aware, as part of the visa application process, an interview at the
embassy is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79.
As a consequence, Mr. and his spouse have been scheduled to come for an interview on 15-Jul-2013 at 01:30 PM.
They will meet our Treaty Visa Officer.
n a few days, using the above-noted reference number you may view the status of this application on our website at http://france.usembassy.gov Pending visas “Treaty
Trader Investor visas.”
Should you have any questions about this application or need to reschedule the appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail directly to
[email protected] to ensure rapid processing.Sincerely,
E Visa UnitNon Immigrant Visa Branch
American Embassy Paris
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III
L’Impact sur les compagnies francaises?
Substantive Changes to Business Visas
(Small Bargain)
Titles II & IV to Senate Bill 744:Substantive Changes to Business Visas
•New Rules for Business Visas•Liberalization of Quotas for H-1Bs •New Types of Visas: Business lobby has intervened successfully for multinationals •Relief for Backlogs in Green Cards (Title III) •IMPACT: Will affect Visa Choices •Will affect short-term and long term strategies
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04/09/23 44
This is where is all starts
Quelle situation?Quel visa?
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GREEN CARDS
LA PYRAMIDE DES VISAS AMÉRICAINS
L-1A/L-1B, E1/E2 Investors/Treaty Traders
TN, H-1B/O-1
B-1/ F-1/J-1/H-3, H-2B
90 Day ESTA Visa
WaiversB-1 Business
Visitors (B/2) (tourists)
EB-1 Multinational Managers/Executives & EB-1Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Researchers;EB2/3 PERM Labor Certifications for professionals, skilled workers leading to Green Cards;EB2 Green Cards for National Interest Waivers, FAMILY SPONSORSHIP (marriage to U.S. Citizen or, Green Card Holder; Diversity Lottery. EB-5: $500,000 Investors
EXECUTIVES, MANAGERS, Specialists and Essential-Skills Employees for U.S. Offices of International Companies
PROFESSIONALS; Extraordinary Ability Scholars & Scientists
TRAINEES & FOREIGN STUDENTSResearch Scholars & Specialists; Temporary workers , VIE , Interns.
BUSINESS VISITORS:Negotiate Contracts, Consult;Trainees, Install Equipmentif Purchased Overseas; Visa WaiverB-1 au lieu de H-1B: 6 month project requiring professional services.
6693462
3 questions importantesLes Leçons à Tirer
• What will change?
• What will not change?
• What will be new?
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Un Sommaire • Le Régime Actuel
• B-1
• ESTA Visa Waiver
• E-2/E-1
• H-1B
• L-1A ou L-1B
• TN
• Green Cards – EB1– EB2 and EB3– EB 5
• La Réforme
• B-1
• ESTA Visa Waiver
• E-2/E-1
• H-1B
• L-1A ou L-1B
• TN
• Green Cards– EB1– EB2 and EB3– EB5
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04/09/23 49
Le regime actuel: Use of L-1Bs, L-1As, H-1Bs and E-2 for Intra-Company Transfers
X&Z Aerosupply , Inc. Mobile, Alabama USA
(AIRBUS VILLAGE)
X&Z Aerosupply SA Toulouse , France
Managers, Executives Software DevelopersElectrical Engineers
Project Managersand
SpecialistsComposites
Engineers
X&Z Aerosupply, Ltd. Bucharest, Romania
La Grande Réforme
• E-2 et Treaty NAFTA (L’ALENA), Free Trade Agreements
• Supériorité des traités
• Pensez à l’Amérique du Nord
• Leçons a tirer:
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04/09/23 52
Case Illustration: Sous la Grande Réforme: NAFTA TN ou E-2, B-1?
X&Z Aerosupply , Inc. Mobile, Alabama USA
(AIRBUS VILLAGE)
X&Z Aerosupply SA Toulouse , France
Managers, Executives Software DevelopersElectrical Engineers
Project Managersand
Specialists
ManufacturingManagers &Engineers
X&Z Composites Manufacturing
Monterey, Mexico
X&Z Services d’Ingénierie, SA
Montréal, Québec Engineers
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E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader/Trader Investor Visas
• avantages,•critères, • procédures,• cas pratiques et exemples
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NAFTA (l’ALENA) TN le Canada, Le Mexique
• avantages,•critères, • procédures,• cas pratiques et exemples
• TNs for Canadians: Works if Well Documented– Advantages: Visa Issuance at the Border – Use of self-employed consultants– Management consultants– Scientific/engineering technologists – Systems analysts with 2-year degrees
• Mexican TNs:– requires visa and application at U.S. Consulate– Same or similar criteria
Canada (Le Québec) Mexico
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Visas: Practical Solutions for Business Visitors
• Reforms in use of « Shengen » type visas – Visa Waivers (ESTA); – Can work under B-1 in support of
interntional supply agreement– B-1 in lieu of H-1B (ex. design engineers)
• professionnel • projet de 6 mois ou moins• compensation: de France
ou d’outre-mer
Les Avantages d’un Multinational
• l’emploi des traités
• Chile, Australia and Singapore: Special H-1Bs or E-3s under Fast-Track FTAs (Free Trade Agreements)
• Canada and Mexico (l’ALENA ou NAFTA)
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IVL’Impact sur les
compagnies francaises?
Problematique ou Amelioration?
Les L-1Bs? L-1As?Les H-1Bs
L-1B et L-1As (Intra-Company Transfers)
Le Régime Actuel (ask: ) •avantages,• critères, • procédures,• cas pratiques et exemples• Blanket Procedures • % of Requêtes (RFE ou Requests for Evidence)•Problèmes de définitions de « Specialized Knowledge »•Problèmes de travail au tiers •FIND materials sent to TAJ
Sous La Grande Réforme
??
• Work at client sites to be prohibited?•Specialized knowledge standards will be impractical ?
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CAS SPECIAUX
• New Office L-1,
• L-1 Blanket Visas.
• E-1/E-2 Visas Accelerés,
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H-1B Visas for Specialty Occupations:
• avantages,
• critères et le rðle du « DOL »,
• procédures,
• cas pratiques et exemples.
• Problemes de CAP ou Quota– 2011– 2012– 2013
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H-1B Visas for Specialty Occupations: La Grande Réforme
• Avantages : Quotas or Caps de 65,000 a 115,000; 20,000 a 25,000. 180,000 en total ?
• Mais le nouveau rðle du « DOL » exigera une augmentation des salaires (20%-30%) – Audits et enquêtes
– Délai de 30 jours– Preuve du recrutement sans succès des candidats
américains
• Les épouses auront le droit à travailler
Leçons à tirer : résultats mixtes à cause des compromis politiques.
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VL’Impact sur les
compagnies françaises?
Temporary Business Visas: What’s New under La Grande
Réforme?
What’s New under La Grande Réforme?
• Multinational Managers/Executives:– Can come for up to 180 days to oversee U.S.
operations– Salary: from France or from U.S. entity
• Z visa to benefit airlines, other transportation companies, ex. MRO facilities, repair or warranty work on foreign equipment for up to 180 days. – Parallels U.S. State Department Initiative: B-1 in lieu
of H-1B: up to 180 days for profesionals working on short-term projects
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What else is New: Nonimmigrants
• W Visas: Sponsorship of low and middle-skilled positions– example: assemblers, welders for our
aerospace company– 20,000 to 75,000, up to even 200,000 per
year? – Eliminates proving seasonal need
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What’s New under La Grande Réforme? (temporary visas)
• EB-6 Entrepreneurs and X visas:– For Start-ups
– Venture Capital $100,000
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VI
L’Impact sur les compagnies francaises?
Business Green Cards
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What’s New? Instant or Accelerated Green Cards
• STEM foreign graduates from U.S. Universities with M.S. or Ph.D. – enormous change and benefit– compare with 4-6 year PERM to GC process.
• Multinational Managers and Executives can self-petition; so can Ph.Ds.
• EB-1 Multinational Managers/Executives still a strong option
• Reference: Green Chart
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EB-1 Multinational Manager/Executive Green
Cards
• avantages,
• critère,
• procédures,
• cas pratiques et exemples.
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Timing: All 3 steps: 3-6 years + for EB3 from India
What’s New: Green Cards • Elimination of per country quotas• Elimination of counting family members towards
green card quotas: big problem • Result: acceleration of Green Card issuance:
– For EB3 , from 4 years to 1year
– For EB2, from 2 years to 1 year
• Leçons à Tirer: Des Nouvelle Strategies
(mettre les cartes vertes en avance)
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04/09/23 73
Cas pratique sous la Reforme: Use of Green Cards for Intra-Company Transfers
X&Z Aerosupply , Inc. Mobile, Alabama USA
(AIRBUS VILLAGE)
X&Z Aerosupply SA Toulouse , France
Managers, Executives Software DevelopersElectrical Engineers
Project Managersand
Specialists
Composites Engineers and
Assemblers
X&Z Aerosupply, Ltd. Bucharest, Romania
Green Card Quotas and Priority System
• Per country quotas abolished
• 40% for Graduate Degrees, EB-2 or higher
• 40% for EB3 (B.S. or B.A. degree or skilled workers)
• 10% Enterepreneurs and investors
• 10% special immigrants
• Family members not counted in quotas74
What’s New: Investment Green Cards
• EB-6 Entrepreneur Green Card 10% of total: requires venture capital investment of at least $100,000 etc.
• EB-5 $500,000 Investment Green Card made permanent– can be source of financing for U.S.
projects– Investors sold minority interest, limited
partnership units75
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VIIL’Impact sur les
compagnies francaises?
Visas Divers Sous La Grande
Reforme
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J-1 Interns and Practical Trainees (incluant VIE)
•Les accords de stages, échanges de jeunes professionnels, •avantages, •critères, •procédures, •cas pratiques et exemples.•Le programme (sous Le Département d’Etat) exigerait la conformité a ses règles
State Dept. Reforms
• eliminate visa interviews?
• revalidate visas without leaving the USA?
• time limits on adjudication of visas, and waiting times for visa interviews?
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FOREIGN STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS F-1s and J-1s• 700,000 F-1s
• 170,000 J-1s graduate students
• Shared Responsibility between ICE (SEVIS) and USCIS (Applications and Extensions)
• The OPT to H-1B “timing game”
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“VISA WAIVER”
• “l’espace SCHENGEN americain”
• Distinctions entre le B-1 et le Visa Waiver (WB):
– avantages, – critères,– procédures,– cas pratiques et exemples.
VIIILes
Prochaines Etapes et les Stratégies
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La procedure législative: juin-octobre
• what happens next?
• House of Representatives
• Future of their « Gang of Seven »?
• Congressional Budget Office
• Conference Committee
• If signed, timing of implementation
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Guiding Principles
• L’importance de faire un bon choix de visa en faisant une évaluation approfondie des avantages/inconvenients de chacun ; et en adoptant une approche individualisée-- salarié, fonction et structure de l’organisation.
• Evitez la répétition de la formule de l’année dernière!
Dernières Considérations 1. Flexibility
2. Big suprise: make early and effective use of Green Cards to bypass H-1B and L-1 headaches and complications
3. E-2 accelerated visa program (if your company meets criteria) : extra benefit of French ownership
4. Stay with Treaty or State Dept. Visas over Congressional Visas: TN, E-2, B-1, J-1
5. When use H-1B or L-1, carefully review candidate qualifications
6. Portability: employment agreements will be of added importance (confidentiality, non-compete)
7. More use possible of short term visas for productive work without establishing U.S. Offices
8. Collaboration?
9. le problème de l’abus84
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8 Collaboration.
• Dans la préparation de la demande, il faut de la collaboration parmi: l’avocat et son cabinet, l’entreprise et le salarié
• Information sur les opérations en FRANCE et les ETATS-UNIS,
• Problèmes à éviter avant le dépôt du dossier,• Ouverture d’un bureau : cas spécifique, • Le rôle de votre entreprise et votre avocat• Les « DEADLINES ».• Le salarié et son « travel schedule »
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9. L’abus UNE BONNE UTILISATION DU VISA
• les visiteurs d’affaires commerciales,
• Quand le “business visa” n’existe pas,
• L’abus de la procédure: – Les complications et la perte des
privilèges de “Visa Waiver” – La barrière de 3 ans et 10 ans
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Nos Services Sous le Régime Actuel
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Il est plus facile à un chameau de passer par le chas d'une aiguille que pour certaine visiteurs de passer par la douane américaine.
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Sous La Grande Réforme: « plutôt du planning stratégique »
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Questions et Questions et CoordonnéesCoordonnéesEliot [email protected]
Williams Mullen 1666 K Street NW Suite 1200 Washington DC 20006 Direct Dial: 804.420.6482En France (juin-juillet 2013) 001.804.564.1619www.williamsmullen.com
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VOS CAS SPECIAUX OU VOS CAS SPECIAUX OU PROBLEMATIQUES? PROBLEMATIQUES?