The session will provide practical, forward-looking guidance for HR leaders, including best practices for proactive immigration planning, risk mitigation, and cross-functional coordination. We will review key policy and regulatory changes, including:

• The $100,000 supplemental fee for certain H-1B petitions (who is subject and how to know); increase in the required prevailing wage starting in 2026; what we know now that the first H-1B weighted lottery selection is over;  pauses in adjudications for 39 countries and what that means for effected employers and international employees, and much more;
• Recently announced “hold” on pending applications because of new FBI security screening;
• Address heightened government scrutiny and enforcement trends, including increased number and complexity of requests for evidence (RFEs), worksite inspections, and compliance obligations that place greater administrative burdens on HR teams.
• Learn how processing delays and consular backlogs are also disrupting workforce retention, continuity, planning and timing.
• Proposed changes effecting employability of international students
• New Massachusetts requirement in the event of an I-9 site visit
• Additional pending litigation challenging many of these changes

About the Presenters:
Prasant Desai & Mary Walsh
Partners at Iandoli, Desai & Cronin, P,C,