WEISS & KAHN, P.A.

Weiss & Kahn advises and represents corporate and individual clients—both foreign and domestic—on immigrant and non-immigrant visas, naturalization, citizenship, international corporate matters, waivers of inadmissibility to the United States, immigration court litigation, federal court litigation, J-visa waivers and I-9 compliance. Clients include companies with household names, prominent athletes, renowned artists, entrepreneurs, chefs, professionals and managers of every sort, eminent scientists and researchers, persons who possess exceptional or extraordinary ability, investors, and people simply seeking a better future in the United States or to join family members here.

Our clients hail from countries the world over, and work in areas as diverse as banking, steel, pharmaceuticals, shipping, import-export, data management, industrial instruments, health care, architecture, engineering, medical research, motor-racing, toxicology, market research, hotels and resorts, airlines, advertising, social science, economics, and more.

Our immigration practitioners advocate and appear before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the National Fines Office, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, U.S. Consular offices the world over, state employment service offices, and in the federal courts—both at the trial and appellate levels.

Recent legislation, changes in government policy, and the enlarged resources and powers of the Department of Homeland Security, have made it more difficult than ever for aliens with any sort of criminal record to travel to and from, work in, and settle in, the United States. We represent and advise clients on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions for aliens in immigrant and non-immigrant status, and for aliens seeking U.S. citizenship. We also work closely with criminal defense lawyers prior to and during trials—to minimize the immigration consequences of charging documents, plea bargains, convictions, and sentences. Given the increasingly effective enforcement of the immigration laws, more and more aliens are found inadmissible to the United States. We represent clients seeking waivers of their inadmissibility under various provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

We are active in professional organizations such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and frequently speak and write on topics in immigration and nationality law. Elaine Weiss has served on AILA South Florida’s Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, and was AILA South Florida’s President from 1996 to 1997. Firm members participate in AILA liaison activities with the various governmental agencies around the country that determine the outcome of cases, and keep abreast of the legislative and rule-making action that constantly change this field of law.

Weiss & Kahn advises and assists corporations with the immigration implications of hiring or transferring foreign nationals to work in the United States; acquiring, merging or joint venturing with companies in the United States or overseas; and starting up operations in the United States. Given the right circumstances, we can set up special corporate programs that facilitate the transfer of international personnel to the United States, thereby shortening and simplifying approval for intracompany transferees, treaty visas, and training programs.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) mandates that employers confirm that all newly hired employees are authorized to work in the United States. Failure to comply with IRCA’s anti-discrimination provisions can lead to civil and criminal sanctions for the employing company and its officers. Weiss & Kahn helps companies develop IRCA compliance programs to reduce the risk of liability, runs prophylactic compliance audits, and represents those facing Justice or Labor Department IRCA proceedings.