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Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

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Immigration, International

Lee Depret-Bixio joined Ogletree Deakins in 2003 and she practices exclusively in the area of business immigration law.  She assists U.S. and foreign companies in obtaining and maintaining employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for key employees and 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, International
Learn more about Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

Ms. Depret-Bixio represents employers of all sizes and industries including automotive manufacturers and suppliers, colleges and universities, electronic component manufacturers, service industry, hospital systems, hotel and restaurant groups, farms, pharmaceutical companies, software developers and distributors, beverage distributors, and biotechnology companies.

She handles the following types of matters:

  • Assists employers obtain nonimmigrant “work visas” for its foreign employees including the B, E, H, J, L, O, P , Q, and TN categories
  • Assists employers obtain permanent immigrant visas (commonly referred to as “green cards”) based on extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher, multinational executive and manager, and labor certification (“PERM”) strategies
  • Advises employers on federal employment verification compliance requirements. Assists them with compliance issues including internal I-9 audits, government investigations, mismatched Social Security numbers, E-Verify and developing compliance programs
  • Advises employers on how to comply with South Carolina’s new immigration law, the S.C. Illegal Immigration Reform Act. She has worked closely with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, responsible for enforcing the new law, on the development of proper enforcement strategies and also to educate South Carolina employers on the new requirements

Education

  • J.D., University of South Carolina, 2003
  • B.A., Hollins College, 1989

Admittance to Practice

  • South Carolina

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

  • Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar - "The Rest of the Iceberg: The Heavy Impact of Informal Immigration Enforcement Shifts" - Phoenix - May 10, 2018
  • Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive - "Stopped at the Border? How Recent Immigration Actions Affect the Workplace" - Boca Raton - November 10, 2017
  • 2010 - Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce newsletter - "Immigration Reform Law Set to Affect All South Carolina Employers"
  • 2008 - Mechanical Contractors Association of S.C. newsletter - "New S.C. Immigration Legislation Impacts ALL S.C. Employers: How will it affect you?"
  • October 21, 2014 - Fast Casual - "5 Steps for Keeping Your Restaurant from Getting ICE'd"
  • April 12, 2010 - The State - "More Citations Expected in the Future"
  • August 18, 2009 - Charleston Regional Business Journal - "Immigration Audits Concern Businesses"
  • June 20, 2009 - The Post and Courier - "Companies Preparing for New Law"
  • January 8, 2009 - The State - "Companies Advised to Check Hires in Database"
  • December 16, 2008 - The Post and Courier - "South Carolina Immigrant Employee Law Takes Effect Next Month"
  • October 9, 2008 - The State - "New Law Puzzles S.C. Businesses"
  • 2018 Legal Elite – Columbia Business Monthly

Insights by Lee Gibbs Depret-Bixio

Immigration application with 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).

Person holding open passport book.

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.

Document layered with small American flag and blue pen.

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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