The Inside Track

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 the EU can create filing obligations. Paul walks through the full compliance lifecycle, from pre-trip assessments and notification filings to ongoing document retention requirements, and highlights the potentially severe penalties for non-compliance. The episode closes with practical tips for employers looking to build a robust process for managing posted worker obligations across their global mobility programs.

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 "beneficiary-centric" picture, connecting filings, job descriptions, online bios, and prior US entries into a single, searchable narrative. One petition may be compliant, but if the story doesn't hold together across years and employers, the system will notice – and AI tools are increasingly helping it do exactly that. Grace and Morgan break down what this means for employers and high-profile individuals, and share important strategies to make immigration filings not just approvable today, but defensible for years to come.

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 registration process has given practitioners a head start on cap petition filings, which are now underway during the April 1 to June 30 filing window. The episode closes with a look at the choices facing beneficiaries with multiple employer registrations and a preview of additional agency data expected in the coming weeks.

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, and location. They also provide practical guidance on how developing a sound strategy upfront for H-1B registration will drive success in the cap petition process for selected registrations.

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 border decisions from disrupting critical timelines and operations.

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 the growing impact of anomaly detection on outcomes—alongside the continued need for human judgment.

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 navigating heightened enforcement—addressing sponsor license exposure, reputational risk, and what to do when instances of "illegal working" are identified. Finally, they assess the UK Government's potential extension of checks to contractors and gig economy workers, signaling the likely updates many employers will need to make to their workforce compliance programs.

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 workers, and offering practical strategies to manage the offboarding and onboarding cycle for new hires.

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 new employing entity—can bridge US immigration constraints, while remote-work ("digital nomad") visas may allow employees to work from abroad for a US employer without having to establish a local corporate presence. The conversation outlines practical considerations for digital nomad pathways, including proof of remote employment, income thresholds, processing timelines, and family accompaniment, and emphasizes that other legal considerations—local labor laws, social security, benefits, and tax—often drive strategy. A holistic, proactive global mobility approach is increasingly essential for employers to compete for high-skilled talent and sustain innovation and growth.

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 corporations. 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 immigration options, and they share clear, actionable steps on how to prepare in advance for the launch of this new program.

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 at their first enabled entry or exit. This episode clarifies Schengen versus the European Union, and outlines key exemptions based on traveler profiles. It also highlights enforcement of the Schengen 90/180 rule using EES data and associated penalties for overstays. Finally, the episode previews the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)—coming after full EES implementation—and how the two electronic systems will work together to pre-screen travelers and track cross-border movement across the Schengen territory.

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 files. The conversation highlights the risks of non-compliance—including penalties and debarment—and provides practical guidance on the top five areas where employers can proactively strengthen their compliance programs. Listeners will come away with clear, actionable steps to prepare for DOL enforcement activity and ensure their H-1B practices meet the latest enforcement standards.

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 is undergoing significant transformation. We'll help you confidently navigate change, minimize risk, and achieve your business goals as the H-1B landscape evolves.

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, preparation is essential to protecting your business.