As economic conditions evolve, workforce demands shift and compliance scrutiny increases, business immigration continues to play an important role in supporting operational success across the manufacturing sector. Join Ana Maria Mieles, Counsel in Fragomen’s Pittsburgh office, for a dynamic webcast exploring the changing immigration landscape and its direct impact on manufacturers.
This session will break down immigration strategy across three key phases: launching and scaling facilities, solving labor shortages in high-demand roles such as engineers and automation specialists, and mitigating the costs and risks of non-compliance. Attendees will gain practical insight into sponsorship timeframes, long-term strategies, expense considerations, and key visas — including B-1, F-1 (OPT), H-1B and TN classifications — along with actionable guidance for building an audit-ready immigration and compliance policy.
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Presenters
Ana Marie Mieles
Counsel
Fragomen
Ana María provides counsel to domestic and multinational corporations on a wide range of immigration matters, including investment and employment immigration, federal compliance, global/outbound immigration and federal litigation. Her clients span industries such as chemicals, manufacturing, healthcare, education, financial services, technology and steel.
Drawing from her own experience as an immigrant, she is committed to supporting both immigrants and their employers. Her work includes advising on nonimmigrant business visas such as TN, O‑1, E‑2, H‑1B and L‑1, as well as issues involving H‑1B‑dependent employers and I‑9 compliance. Her immigrant visa practice focuses on EB‑1 and EB‑2 petitions for individuals in science, athletics, music and engineering, along with Labor Certification (PERM) and two-year home residency waivers.
Employers rely on her guidance in developing companywide immigration policies, conducting due diligence during corporate restructuring and responding to federal agency investigations. With unique litigation experience, she also represents clients in immigration-related federal court cases and appears before USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. consulates, the Administrative Appeals Office and related agencies. Earlier in her career, she served at the U.S. Department of State, the Center for Justice and International Law and UNESCO in Paris.
Moderator
Julie Davis
Senior Vice President, People Strategy
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Sponsors
