The Inside Track

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and Jad Taha explore the critical considerations multinational employers face when sending expatriate employees to the UAE. They discuss how the UAE's structure as a federation of seven emirates—with distinct mainland, DIFC, and ADGM regulatory frameworks—directly impacts visa sponsorship processes and employment obligations. The conversation demyst...

In this episode of The Inside Track, Grace Shie and Paul Sarauskas break down the EU Posted Workers Directive — the law designed to protect workers who are temporarily sent into the European Union to perform services. They discuss what triggers a posted worker notification, how requirements vary significantly across EU member states, and why even short-term business trips by non-EU citizens into t...

What if the biggest shift in US immigration isn't a new executive order, but a form change most people barely noticed? In this episode of The Inside Track, Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey reveal how the immigration system is focusing on pattern recognition. A recent change to the form used for employment cases shows the government is moving from reviewing petitions in isolation to building a "benefic...

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and Max Del Rey reconvene to break down the results of this year's H-1B lottery, which operated for the first time under a new weighted and wage-based selection system. They discuss how the revamped structure led to significantly higher selection rates across their client base. They also explore how the upfront data collection required during the re...

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and Max Del Rey unpack the Department of Homeland Security's new H-1B rule, which introduces a wage-based lottery system that employers must navigate during the H-1B registration period in March. Grace and Max preview expected selection rates under the four-tier wage system and outline key employer decisions, including wage level, job classification...

In this episode of The Inside Track , partners Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey explain why US travel on B-1 visas and ESTA is no longer just an individual traveler issue, but a material business risk. As executives face increasing scrutiny during what was once routine travel, Grace and Morgan examine how enforcement has changed and how informed planning can protect business continuity and prevent bor...

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey explore how US immigration agencies are integrating AI into workflows, shifting from episodic adjudications to person-centric, pattern-driven analysis. They discuss implications across the Departments of Homeland Security (including USCIS, CBP, and ICE), State, and Labor, emphasizing continuous vetting, documentation clarity, and t...

In this episode of  The Inside Track , partner Grace Shie and counsel James Perrott break down the United Kingdom's right to work regime by which employers verify the work authorization or immigration permission of their workforce. Grace and James review the core verification routes, civil penalty and criminal offence framework, and available statutory defenses. They share best practices for navig...

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and Max Del Rey unpack the USCIS guidance issued on October 20, regarding the new $100,000 H-1B fee. They clarify which H-1B petitions are subject to the fee and which are excluded, walking through nuanced scenarios where the fee may be triggered. The discussion centers on H-1B changes of employer, highlighting heightened risk for both employers and...

In this episode of The Inside Track , Grace Shie and María (Maru) Ferré discuss how employers can maintain access to global talent given the current H-1B landscape in the United States, spotlighting overseas alternatives such as "global parking" and remote work options. Global parking—placing employers with foreign affiliates, using an employer of record where permissible, or even establishing a n...

In this episode of The Inside Track , hosts Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey discuss the White House's new "Gold Card" program: three U.S. residency pathways for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporation s . These include the Individual Gold Card ($1M), the Corporate Gold Card ($2M), and the Platinum Card ($5M). They explain what sets the Gold Card program apart from traditional immi...

In this episode of The Inside Track, host Grace Shie and James Perrott unpack Europe's evolving border regime, focusing on the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), launched on October 12, 2025, with a phased implementation through April 10, 2026. EES applies at Schengen—rather than EU-wide—borders and requires most non-EU travelers to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image) and scan passports...

In this episode of The Inside Track , hosts Grace Shie and Maximillian Del Rey explore the U.S. Department of Labor's new H-1B enforcement initiative, Project Firewall, and its implications for employers. They break down the DOL's role in the H-1B process, focusing on wage compliance, worksite accuracy, and the importance of properly managing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and public access f...

In this episode of  The Inside Track , hosts Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey from Mayer Brown's Global Mobility Practice discuss recently announced changes affecting the H-1B visa program. The conversation centers on the government's introduction of a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions, as well as proposed regulatory changes to H-1Bs subject to the annual quota. Their message: The H-1B program i...

In the premiere episode of The Inside Track , Mayer Brown's Grace Shie and Morgan Bailey spotlight the surge in US worksite enforcement and the growing scrutiny on employer compliance. Using a record-breaking ICE raid as a warning, they urge businesses to proactively tighten I-9 practices, train staff, vet contractors, and consult legal counsel. Their message: in today's enforcement climate, prepa...