Refugee Labor Mobility: Expanding workforce through displaced talent

Aaron Blumberg | Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

Aaron is a Partner at Fragomen’s Boston office, where he advises a diverse client base across the U.S., including entrepreneurs, hospitals, colleges and universities and multinational companies, on U.S. immigration law. He was previously a Partner at Fragomen’s Miami office for 14 years.

Aaron possesses unique experience in the areas of academic and healthcare immigration law and advises on the distinctive immigration requirements of colleges, universities, research institutions and hospitals. As a former DSO (Designated School Official) and ARO (Alternate Responsible Officer), Aaron has particular insight into issues faced by students on F-1 and J-1 Student Visas and scholars on Exchange Visitor J Visas. He regularly advises DSOs and AROs on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) compliance and best practices. Aaron also advises international students on their visa options upon graduation and maintains a monthly webinar series examining the immigration options for international student graduates.

Additionally, Aaron represents and assists a growing number of small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs who are working to expand their business footprint in the United States. In this capacity, he prepares and submits E 2, O-1, EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and National Interest Waiver (NIW) applications on behalf of these clients. Finally, Aaron represents several large multinational corporations where he advises on compliance and complex visa issues and provides strategy guidance and direction.

Betsy Fisher | Talent Beyond Boundaries

Betsy L. Fisher is the U.S. Director of Talent Beyond Boundaries, the Advocacy Committee Lead for United Stateless, and a lecturer in international refugee law at the University of Michigan Law School. Betsy previously worked as the Director of Strategy at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), and is a U.S. immigration lawyer with degrees from the University Michigan Law School, the Michigan Rackham Graduate School, and Denison University. Betsy has frequently commented on developments in immigration and refugee law, including as a keynote speaker and panelist at conferences and events. She also frequently appears in national and international news media, including the NewYork Times, Washington Post, NPR’s All Things  Considered, and the Rachel Maddow Show.

I. Understand who is a refugee and the magnitude of the current refugee protection crisis | 12:00pm – 12:15pm

II. Comprehend the existing U.S. immigration pathways for displaced workers | 12:15pm – 12:30pm

III. Understand the concept of refugee labor mobility and how it can be a tool for employers to expand diversity in the workforce | 12:30pm – 12:45pm

IV. Understand the type of support refugees need when first arriving in a new country | 12:45pm – 1:00pm