Denise Gavica Perez

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Denise Gavica Perez focuses her practice on corporate immigration matters. With a strong focus on the healthcare sector, Denise routinely counsels hospitals seeking to obtain non-immigrant and immigrant visas for employees including physicians, nurses, residents, pharmacists, fellows, medical technologists, and other healthcare professionals. She also represents staffing agencies tasked with recruiting healthcare professionals. Denise also provides legal counsel to entrepreneurs and high net-worth individuals regarding investment-based immigration including, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

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Social Media Scrutiny: What the New H-1B and H-4 Visa Policy Means for Your Workforce

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Employment Counseling & Workplace Claims Prevention, Immigration Planning & Compliance
Beginning December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will significantly expand its social media screening practices to include all H-1B Nonimmigrant Worker visa applicants and their H-4 dependents applying for visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for professional jobs that require specialized … Continue Reading

New $100,000 H-1B Fee Update: What U.S. Employers Need to Know Now

By Denise Gavica Perez and Andres Urdaneta Brylkin on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance, Uncategorized
On October 20, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released further guidance clarifying the implementation of the new $100,000 H-1B fee established under the recent Presidential Proclamation. Below is a summary of the key provisions and practical implications based on the agency’s announcement.… Continue Reading

Presidential Proclamation on H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas – Applicability, Exemptions & Next Steps for U.S. Employers

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
This past Friday, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” This latest executive action introduces major restrictions on the H-1B visa program, specifically targeting employers filing petitions for workers who are currently outside the United States. The most impactful change? A $100,000 fee per H-1B … Continue Reading

Employer Talent Acquisition & Retention Alert: U.S. Employers May Soon Lose Access to Critical Chinese Talent Under Emerging F-1 Student Visa and J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Restrictions on Other International Talent

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced a sweeping new directive: the United States will begin “aggressively” revoking visas of Chinese students, alleged to be in any way affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or studying in designated “critical fields.” This policy has significant implications for U.S. employers who currently employ Chinese international … Continue Reading

Hospital Leaders: Are You Fully Prepared For the Rising Wave of H-1B Onsite Inspections in Healthcare Systems Nationwide? Let’s Ensure Your Facilities Are H-1B Compliant!

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
In recent months, hospitals and healthcare systems across the country have seen an increase in random and unannounced worksite inspections by immigration officers, particularly targeting H-1B nonimmigrant worker visa holders. These inspections aim to verify employers’ compliance with H-1B program requirements, including proper recordkeeping, worksite accuracy, and adherence to position and salary terms. As these … Continue Reading

Best Practices for Employers in Managing USCIS Administrative Onsite Inspections, ICE Raids, and Form I-9 Audits

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
In today’s increasingly complex immigration enforcement setting, employers face multiple challenges, including unannounced USCIS Administrative site visits (also known as onsite inspections), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workplace raids, and Form I-9 audits. While these processes all aim to ensure compliance with federal laws, they have distinct purposes and require different strategies to effectively … Continue Reading

What Employers Need to Know — Final Rule by the Department of Homeland Security Updating the H-1B Nonimmigrant Worker Visa Program

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a final rule aimed at modernizing the H-1B nonimmigrant worker visa program, with significant and favorable changes set to take effect on January 17, 2025. These updates provide much-needed clarity and support for U.S. employers seeking talented and professional employees. Following is a breakdown of the … Continue Reading

Employer Alert! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Announces Permanent 540-Day Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Renewals Timely Filed By Qualified Applicants

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
In a significant update for employers and human resource teams, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made the 540-day auto-extension period for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewals a permanent benefit. In May 2022, DHS extended the EAD auto-extension to up to 540 days to mitigate the risk of a work authorization gap for those … Continue Reading

Navigating Immigration Challenges Under the Second Trump Administration: What Employers Need to Know

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
As President-elect Trump’s administration prepares for a second term, employers should anticipate intensified changes to U.S. immigration policies and procedures. These changes are expected to significantly impact various immigration categories, including nonimmigrant and immigrant employment-based processes, hiring practices, and compliance responsibilities. The administration is likely to push forward with stricter enforcement, increased procedural challenges, and … Continue Reading

H-1B Visa Lottery Deadlines Approaching

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
Last week, USCIS announced the H-1B visa cap registration deadlines for FY2023. Registration is mandatory for most employers wishing to sponsor a candidate for an H-1B visa in the FY2023 H-1B cap cycle. Registration is an annual electronic process through which USCIS receives registrations from employers for the H-1B lottery. USCIS has historically conducted a … Continue Reading

Suspending Entry for Certain Green Card Applicants: How Does it Impact Employers and Foreign National Employees?

By Denise Gavica Perez on Posted in Immigration Planning & Compliance
President Trump’s latest Executive Order temporarily suspends the issuance of certain Immigrant visas (Green Card) at U.S. Consulates and Embassies overseas and halts Green Card applicants from entering the United States. However, it does not have an immediate impact on U.S. nonimmigrant workers in valid status such as H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, and … Continue Reading
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