Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Navigating the New Era of Immigration Enforcement

Client Alert

What Employers Need to Know in 2025

Introduction

The landscape of U.S. business immigration is undergoing a seismic shift in 2025. For multinational corporations, the stakes have never been higher: federal agencies are intensifying scrutiny, increasing site visits, and rolling out new compliance requirements. These changes are not just bureaucratic hurdles—they directly impact your ability to hire and retain global talent, maintain legal compliance, and avoid costly disruptions.

This post will break down the latest enforcement trends, explain what they mean for your business, and provide actionable strategies to stay ahead.

1. The Rise of Immigration Audits and Site Visits

What’s Changing? Federal agencies, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are conducting more frequent and detailed audits. Site visits—once relatively rare—are now a routine part of the compliance landscape. These inspections target everything from H-1B and L-1 visa holders to PERM labor certifications and I-9 records.

Why It Matters for Multinational Employers

  • Increased Scrutiny: Audits are no longer limited to high-risk industries or random checks. Employers in all sectors, especially those with large foreign workforces, should expect unannounced visits.
  • Broader Scope: Inspectors are reviewing not just visa documentation, but also payroll records, job descriptions, and even workplace conditions to ensure compliance with labor laws.
  • Higher Stakes: Non-compliance can result in fines, visa revocations, or even criminal charges for willful violations.

Real-World Impact A recent report from the Bush Center highlights that immigration arrests have more than doubled in 38 states, with ICE conducting an average of 666 arrests per day nationwide—up from fewer than 300 daily in 2024. While these numbers include all immigration enforcement, they underscore the heightened environment for all employers.

Read the complete article to find out more about these policies, strategies, and consequences for employees at www.removal-defense.com. Get a deeper understanding of:

2. The Role of the New Office of Immigration Policy

3. Actionable Strategies for Multinational Corporations

4. The Cost of Non-Compliance: Penalties and Consequences for Employers

5. The Road Ahead: Staying Proactive in a Shifting Landscape

For guidance on these immigration issues, please contact BMD Member Robert Ratliff at raratliff@bmdllc.com. With over 25 years of trial experience in criminal defense and immigration law, Robert’s unique insights as a former Immigration Judge allow him to offer strategic guidance for clients facing complex immigration challenges.


First-of-Its-Kind Federal Ruling Finds Use of Consumer AI Tool May Destroy Attorney-Client Privilege

On February 10, 2026, Judge Jed Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a first-of-its-kind ruling finding that documents generated by a criminal defendant using a consumer AI platform were not protected by attorney-client privilege after being shared with counsel. The court treated the AI tool as a third party, concluding that entering sensitive information into a publicly available platform may waive confidentiality. The ruling also suggests that the work product doctrine may not apply where AI-generated materials are created independently by a client rather than at counsel’s direction. The decision signals that parties should exercise caution when using consumer AI tools in connection with legal matters.

Your Golden Chance for H-1B Lottery Registration - March 2026

USCIS H-1B registration opens March 4–19, 2026. U.S.-based employees on valid nonimmigrant status are exempt from the $100,000 fee for change of status petitions. The new weighted lottery favors higher-skilled and higher-paid employees, improving odds for advanced degree holders and Wage Level 3 or 4 workers.

Invisible Algorithms: The Hidden Role of Artificial Intelligence in USCIS Immigration Processing

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are now integrated into numerous operational functions within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These tools are described as mechanisms to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs, and assist officers in managing an unprecedented volume of applications. DHS emphasizes that human adjudicators retain decision-making authority and that AI systems do not independently grant or deny immigration benefits. Find out how AI affects the U.S. immigration process.

OAAPN | Year In Review: 2026 Ohio Board of Nursing and Ohio Law Rules

Find out key changes to Ohio law and the Ohio Board of Nursing rules that have directly impacted APRN practice over the past year, including Psychiatric Inpatient Documents, Intimate Examinations, Signature Authority, Duties Related to Fetal Death, Retail IV Therapy Clinics, Release from Permanent Restrictions, Disciplinary Action, Course on Drugs and Prescriptive Authority, Overdose Reversal Drugs, Office Based Opioid Treatment, Withdrawal Management for Substance Use Disorder, Safe Haven Program, and more.

Ohio House Bill 537: Proposed Regulations for Midwives and Birthing Centers

House Bill 537, introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives, proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework for certified nurse-midwives, certified midwives, licensed midwives, and traditional midwives. The legislation would clarify scope of practice, establish licensure standards, and impose new requirements for freestanding birthing centers and home births. Healthcare providers and facilities should be aware of the proposed changes and their potential operational impact.