Immigration Enforcement in Healthcare: Strategies for managing ICE audits, legal duties under HIPAA, FERPA, EMTALA, and I-9 compliance, and communications during enforcement actions

Greg Siskind | Siskind Susser PC.

Greg Siskind has been helping immigrants and serving as a leader in the national immigration bar for more than three decades. Greg began practicing law when he was 22 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He co-founded Siskind Susser, PC – Immigration Lawyers in 1994 and Visalaw Ventures in 2019 and IMMpact Litigation in 2020.

Greg is the author of seven books and hundreds of articles and book chapters. He is also the author of several immigration-related pieces of legislation and has testified as an expert in front of the US House of Representatives Immigration Subcommittee.

In 1994, he created www.visalaw.com, the first immigration law firm in the world. That same year, he began publishing Siskind’s Immigration Bulletin, a newsletter that was the first electronically distributed law firm newsletter. The newsletter is still going out to tens of thousands of people every month. In 1998, he became the first lawyer in the world with a blog and in 2016, he became one of the first lawyers to begin publishing artificial intelligence immigration tools for both lawyers and consumers. He is a co-founder of Visalaw Ventures, which is the parent company of software company Visalaw.ai and book publisher Alan House.

Greg was the first immigration lawyer ever photographed for the cover of the American Bar Association Journal, and he is regularly interviewed by publications like USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, the Washington Post, NPR’s All Things Considered, Forbes and Bloomberg. He was named by Who’s Who in Corporate Immigration Law on its list of the ten most distinguished lawyers in the world and by Chambers and Partners as one of the top 25 immigration lawyers in the US. He is one of the founders of Visalaw International, the global alliance of immigration lawyers (www.visalawint.com). He currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Ellisa Taub | Siskind Susser PC.

Elissa Taub is a partner with Siskind Susser PC, where she leads the firm’s Healthcare Immigration Group. She has extensive experience with a wide variety of immigration processes for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, including J-1 waivers, H-1Bs, O-1s, EB-1 extraordinary ability petitions, National Interest Waivers and labor certification based green cards. Elissa earned her Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law and her Bachelor’s Degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Elissa is co-author of The Physician Immigration Handbook.”

She is regularly invited to present webinars, conference presentations and to conduct client training on a diverse range of topics related to healthcare immigration. Elissa is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and has served on several national committees. She also is leader within the American Health Law Association.

Elissa is a member of the Florida Bar.

Shahana Farishta | Goldblum, Pollins & Dennis

Shahana Farishta is an Associate Attorney with Goldblum, Pollins & Dennis’ Health Care Team. Shahana assists a variety of hospitals, health systems, and research institutions in the hiring and retention of their foreign national employees. She also assists foreign national clinicians, educators and scientists in all aspects of their employment-based immigration needs. Shahana assists foreign nationals and institutions with both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa matters.

Prior to joining our firm, Shahana gained immigration experience as an attorney and intern at several law firms where she gained experience in employment-based immigration, as well as a primary case manager at the Immigrant Rights Clinic where she gained experience with oral advocacy and litigation in immigration matters.

Since the start of her legal career, Shahana has offered informed and empathetic counsel to identify immigration solutions for institutions in business, healthcare, and higher education as well as entrepreneurs and investors and the individuals and families who form the bedrock of the United States. Shahana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and speaks Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati.

Chris L. Thomas | Holland & Hart LLP

Corporate executives and boards rely on Chris as a trusted advisor to help them navigate and manage business-critical immigration issues.

Chris provides strategic counsel when companies and individuals face government audits or government investigations of their immigration practices. With nearly three decades of experience, he brings extensive experience and government relationships to help clients prepare for such audits and investigations and to defend them when regulators show up. Often working with clients in times of crisis, Chris’s goal is to alleviate anxiety and put them at ease. Whether counseling a company about responding to a subpoena or defending it in a government investigation or raid, clients appreciate his pragmatic, straight forward counsel and clear plans of action.

Chris and his team work closely with in-house legal and human resources departments to provide training and to help them develop effective compliance policies and internal audit and remediation plans. When significant legal concerns arise, he helps teams conduct internal investigations and formulate the best path forward to protect the interests of the company.

Chris also works with executives, operational leaders, and talent management teams to help position a company for success with effective, compliant global mobility programs. With expertise maneuvering within the complex US immigration process, he helps a wide range of company’s secure employment-based non immigrant (e.g., E, H, L, O, P, TN, etc.) and immigrant (first, second, and third preference categories) visas.

Chris also works with organizations seeking to do business outside of the United States, working closely with in-house and outside counsel to assess legal risks and develop solutions to overcome challenges with doing business abroad. Chris’s fluency in Spanish is a value-add to clients.

Chris rejoins Holland & Hart from Ogletree Deakins where he was an equity shareholder and managed the firm’s Denver immigration practice.

Dr. Hagir Elsheikh | Hagir Network & HSE Staffing Agency LLC

Hagir Elsheikh, Chairwoman and CEO of Hagir Network, founder & CEO of Tomorrow’s Smile INC, Kareem’s Mission Org. HSE Staffing Agency LLC, KMission TV LLC. She is an Advocate, Activist, Serial Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, political analyst, Talk show host, Producer, Author & Philanthropist.

Hagir Elsheikh is an advocate, leader, and survivor whose work embodies resilience, justice, and dedication to peace-building and human rights. Her journey from a survivor of torture, gender-based violence, harassment, female genital mutilation (FGM), and domestic violence to a global human rights champion is a testament to her spirit and lifelong commitment to making the world a better place.

Born in Sudan, Hagir’s early years were marked by her vocal opposition to the oppressive Al-Bashir regime. From the age of 11, she used her voice to protest tyranny and advocate for democratic reforms. As one of the few female spokespersons for the Sudanese Democratic Front, her courageous activism led to her arrest, torture, and eventual asylum in the United States. These experiences only strengthened her resolve to fight for justice and human dignity.

Hagir Elsheikh’s advocacy is deeply personal and wide-reaching. As a survivor of torture, Gender-Based violence, domestic violence, harassment, and FGM, she channels her experiences into powerful campaigns against gender-based violence, human trafficking, and the exploitation of minors. Her efforts include raising awareness, advocating for legislative changes, and supporting victims through counseling and empowerment programs. Hagir’s commitment to combating FGM is particularly noteworthy. She has tirelessly worked to raise awareness and implement preventive measures to stop this crime, drawing from her own painful experiences to drive change. Her advocacy extends to supporting survivors and promoting gender equality, demonstrating her commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Hagir’s work in peacebuilding and democratic empowerment is globally recognized. She collaborates with organizations such as the United Nations, UNDP, TASSC, CWS, Amnesty International, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), the civic club, World Affair Council of Harrisburg, and several colleges and organizations such as Grand Canyon University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Pennsylvania to promote dialogue and initiatives that foster peace and democratic governance. Her efforts have been instrumental in promoting peace in conflict-affected regions, especially in Sudan.

In the United States, Hagir is an active member of Sudan’s working advocacy group for Congress and the State Department, providing crucial advice, briefings, and support for humanitarian causes. She serves on the boards of Trustees of several humanitarian organizations, including the organization that she founded Tomorrow’s Smile INC (TSI), TASSC, Church World Services (CWS), and the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg. Her work with CWS involves using her experiences as a refugee and immigrant to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face and to assist in providing them with training and cultural orientation when they settle in Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the board of trustees at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Kareem’s Mission organization.

As a mother of a child with autism, Hagir has a personal and profound commitment to supporting individuals with autism and their families. She founded Kareem’s Mission Org. and KMission TV LLC to provide resources, support, and education to families affected by autism. These organizations offer a range of services, including educational videos, support groups, and community events, aimed at raising awareness and fostering an inclusive environment for individuals with autism. Through Kareem’s Mission and KMission TV LLC, Hagir Elsheikh continues to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with autism. Her efforts have had a profound impact, providing hope, support, and empowerment to countless families. Hagir’s dedication and passion make her a true champion for the autism community, inspiring others to join her in creating a better world for all.

Session I – Immigration Enforcement in Healthcare: Compliance Strategies for Providers and HR Team | 1:00pm – 3:10pm ET

• The impact of immigration policy shifts on healthcare providers and facilities
• The effect of increased vetting and scrutiny of visa applicants at consulates, ports of entry and work sites

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

• Strategies for managing ICE audits, site visits, and data requests
• Best practices for HR compliance when hiring or managing foreign-born healthcare professionals

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session II – Regulatory Ethics and Immigrant Rights: Healthcare Compliance in a Multicultural System | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

• Navigating institutional risk under H-1B, J-1, O-1, PERM, and NIW programs
• Best practices for I-9 compliance and avoiding worksite enforcement pitfalls
• Ethical considerations in physician termination, visa expiration, and return obligations
• Strategies for protecting both institutional integrity and foreign national staff during audits, site visits, or policy changes

Break | 4:20pm – 4:30pm

Session III – Risk Management and Internal Response Strategies: Legal Considerations for Healthcare Employers | 4:30pm – 5:00pm

• Conducting proactive internal audits and managing attorney-client privilege
• Handling employee discipline, termination, and retaliation concerns tied to immigration status
• Responding to whistleblower complaints and avoiding litigation traps
• Developing workplace policies and training that safeguard compliance without inviting discrimination
• Managing communications and protecting institutional reputation during enforcement actions

Session IV – Protecting Immigrant Patients Amid Enforcement: Legal, Ethical, and Advocacy Perspectives | 5:00pm – 5:30pm

• Understanding the sensitive locations policy
• Navigating HIPAA in the context of immigration enforcement
• Building trauma-informed, inclusive care environments
• Collaborating with immigrant advocacy and legal partners