What is the status of the temporary “remote” Form I-9 policy? Will the Biden administration allow remote document examination permanently? What issues do HR, immigration teams, and employment counsel need to be aware of to comply with I-9 and E-Verify obligations in a changing work environment? Join members of BAL’s Government Strategies team to learn how to keep your Form I-9 and E-Verify programs running smoothly and in compliance.
Learning Objectives:
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Tammy Meckley
Associate Director (AD), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate (IRIS)
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Tammy M. Meckley has over 20 years of experience with U.S. Federal Government in the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, as well as service in the private sector, serving in key executive positions. Tammy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from George Mason University.
As a senior executive, Tammy is the Associate Director (AD), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate (IRIS), formerly known as the Enterprise Services Directorate (ESD). She leads the Identity and Information Management Division, Verification Division and the National Records Center. She is responsible for providing stakeholders with timely and appropriate access to trusted immigration information in support of the missions and goals of USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This includes leading USCIS’ eProcessing initiative that will automate the entire immigration benefit application and adjudication system, managing the E-Verify and SAVE programs, and overseeing the largest FOIA program in the federal government. Tammy leads almost 1,000 federal employees and manages an annual program budget of ~$448 million. She challenges her team to think creatively about how IRIS can continuously enhance operational, customer, and employee efficiency and effectiveness. Prior to becoming the AD, Tammy served a four year term as the Deputy Associate Director for ESD.
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Kelli Duehning
Partner
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
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As a Partner and head of the San Francisco office and a vital member of BAL’s Government Strategies team, Kelli is at the forefront of immigration government policy, trailblazing with creative tactics to meet even the most urgent contemporary matters. From complex cases requiring strategic government interaction to broad policy initiatives that involve sensitive political dynamics, Kelli successfully leverages her extensive background in government, her technical expertise and her passion for advocacy to help U.S. businesses access global talent and remain in compliance with the complicated web of employer immigration obligations. She keeps clients updated on fast-moving legislative and policy changes, drives immigration program management and advises on complex compliance issues in her role as a leader of the firm’s I-9 and e-verify practice.
Kelli joined BAL after a 17-year career with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service. She managed the Western Law Division of USCIS and was responsible for developing and coordinating all legal strategies in the western United States. She also worked closely with government investigators and federal law enforcement officials and was a close advisor to agency leadership on complex immigration issues. In addition to her legal duties as a USCIS attorney, Kelli worked as an immigration officer in the overseas refugee program in Nairobi, Kenya; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and various locations in Thailand. She was the acting field office director in Beijing, China and New Delhi, India, as well as an adjudications officer in Bangkok, Thailand.
As USCIS special counsel to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chair of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, she assisted with comprehensive immigration reform during the 2006 legislative session.
Kelli is a prolific advocate for immigration policy. She is a frequent speaker at WERC, SHRM and other venues and is sought after by the media for her immigration expertise. She currently serves as Chair of the Federal Bar Association's Immigration Law Section.
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Eileen Lohmann
Senior Associate
BAL
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Eileen is a Senior Associate and member of BAL’s Government Strategies team in BAL’s Washington, D.C., office. Eileen graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in English and French and a J.D. from American University College of Law. She is a legislative and government policy expert and provides strategic counsel to clients on corporate immigration program compliance and management.
Eileen has expertise advising clients on a wide-range of corporate immigration matters, including Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance, H-1B program obligations and immigration audits.
Her career experience includes appellate work at the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation and policy engagement with the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project. Eileen is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and serves on the Verification and Documentation Committee.
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Poonam Gupta
Senior Counsel
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
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Poonam Gupta is a Senior Counsel, and leads local operations for Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP’s New York office. She provides strategic and legal counsel to clients on all aspects of corporate and business immigration, working with organizations of all sizes in a wide variety of industries globally.
Her practice focuses on employment-based immigration matters, including assisting companies and their employees with all facets of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters. Poonam also provides guidance to employers on immigration compliance and immigration strategies related to corporate reorganizations. She regularly speaks at local and national conferences and events on corporate immigration and I-9 compliance.
Poonam’s active pro bono practice includes volunteering for the City University of New York’s Citizenship Now annual event, assisting with the Special Immigrant Juvenile docket, and leading a BAL team’s work with the International Refugee Assistance Project, including recent efforts to provide guidance on the Afghan refugee situation.
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Beverly Settlemyre, HR Analytics, Human Resources Management, Project Management
HR Data Services Manager
Intuit
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My passion is transforming human resources through technology by process automation, reducing administration costs, minimizing compliance risks, and creating an inclusive employee experience. I work to streamline our HR data processes and policies so that our employees can focus on powering prosperity for our customers around the globe.
I manage Intuit's Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) program for HR data as well as the Employment Eligibility Verification program. I support partner relationships whose teams who are responsible for a number of critical internal HR deliverables.
I love to travel, attend live concerts, and experience new people and places. I am on the constant quest to learn something new!