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Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

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Immigration

Lee Depret-Bixio joined Ogletree Deakins in 2003 and she practices exclusively in the area of business immigration law. She partners with U.S. and multinational companies to hire and retain talent by obtaining and maintaining employment-based nonimmigrant (“temporary”) and immigrant visas (“green cards”) for key employees.  She also assists clients with state and federal employment verification (I-9) compliance and enforcement issues.  Having lived and worked in France for several years, Ms. Depret-Bixio is fluent in French.

Immigration
Learn more about Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

Ms. Depret-Bixio represents employers of all sizes and industries.  She works closely with her clients to develop and implement strategic immigration solutions.  She has substantial experience working with healthcare and hospital systems, airline carriers, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, electronic component manufacturers, financial services, educational institutions, utilities and technology-related companies.

Education

Admittance to Practice

Professional Activities

  • South Carolina Bar Association Wellness Committee
  • Richland County Bar Association
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
  • South Carolina Women Lawyers Association
  • Volunteer Tutor, United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium

Speeches

Insights by Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

Document layered with small American flag and blue pen.

U.S. Government Delays Revisions to H-4 Employment Authorization Regulations

The Trump administration’s plans to end the ability of spouses of H-1B visa holders to be granted work authorization now appear to be on a slower track than originally anticipated. Removing eligibility for work authorization to this class of foreign nationals requires promulgation of a new rule, the first step of which would be the issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

Immigration application with pencil.

President Trump Establishes National Vetting Center to Further “Extreme Vetting” Plan

On February 6, 2018, President Trump issued a national security presidential memorandum directing the establishment of a vetting center to promote border and immigration security and ensure the safety and security of the United States. The National Vetting Center’s mission is to coordinate and streamline vetting efforts to identify individuals who present a threat to national security, border security, homeland security, or public safety. President Trump has repeatedly voiced his support for increased vetting procedures to protect the American people from terrorist attacks and other public safety threats. This memorandum serves as the president’s latest effort to fulfill his campaign promise of imposing “extreme vetting” on individuals entering the United States.

Person holding open passport book.

The Government Shutdown’s Impact on Immigration

On January 20, 2018, the federal government entered into a partial shutdown following Congress’s failure to reach an agreement to continue funding the federal government. Certain federal agencies that rely solely on government funding will not be able to provide most services. Agencies that receive funding from fees or other government sources are expected to remain open, but are expected to experience service delays.

Document layered with small American flag and blue pen.

Administration Clarifies and Limits Searches of Electronic Devices at Border

On January 4, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued Directive 3340-049A, governing border searches of electronic devices. CBP’s new directive updates and provides several improvements over the agency’s initial directive, published nine years ago, regarding the policies and procedures for border searches of electronic devices conducted in furtherance of CBP’s mission. CBP has implemented several key changes that aim to provide travelers with more clarity and protections regarding the procedures for electronic device searches; however, the numerous exceptions included in the new directive may, in practice, allow CBP to bypass some of these protections.

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