017: Immigration Layoffs in COVID-19

If you’re getting to the point of laying off people, immigration is only one narrow sliver of all the compliance actions you need to take.

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In today’s episode of another COVID-19 edition, I’m talking about how to conduct layoffs in the immigration world. What happens when your company can no longer employ all of the people you’ve sponsored? How much flexibility do you have? What are your obligations?

With anything, it’s not so much about what you do – but how you do it. 

This is an opportunity for you, as a leader, to treat your team members with respect and consideration while complying with all the obligations and legal requirements involved. 

We’re here as a channel for communication to really cut through the politics and get to the bottom of what’s going on so you can deal with these changes in the most graceful and effective way possible.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

  • Specific obligations and consequences for laying off people on different immigration statuses (work permits, green cards, and nonimmigrant visas)
  • Obligations when you’re not laying off people but you’re changing their duties or reducing work hours
  • Visas that allow spouses to be in the U.S.
  • The risks of staying in the U.S. while being out of status

Resources mentioned:

Founder Law Firm

Get the Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook.

Episode 3: The Different Types of Nonimmigrant Visas

Episode 4: An Overview of the Green Card Process

Episode 12: The Visa Options All Recruiters Should Know

Your next move deserves more attention.

The wrong immigration strategy can cost you years of progress and mounting legal fees. Founder Law has spent over two decades guiding the tech industry’s top talent and the companies building around them.

We review where you are, map the realistic pathways, and tell you which ones actually fit your timeline, your goals, and your risk tolerance. You leave with a plan, whether you hire us or not. If your career or your company depends on getting this right, let’s talk.