Hector A. Chichoni is a partner in the Immigration and Naturalization practice group at Greenspoon Marder LLP. Mr. Chichoni focuses on U.S. and global immigration law, representing both corporate and individual clients, including healthcare organizations, Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, universities, and professionals such as doctors, professors, researchers, and students. He handles international matters and business transactions and has represented clients in a variety of cases before the U.S. Immigration Court.
With extensive experience in large, complex corporate immigration matters, Mr. Chichoni has managed cases with potential impacts exceeding millions of dollars. He assists clients with immigration audits, and visa procurement (both nonimmigrant and immigrant), and advises non-U.S. companies on establishing U.S. operations for the transfer of key executives, managers, and specialists. Additionally, he counsels U.S. and international businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits on U.S. visa options related to business, employment, and investment. Mr. Chichoni also represents employers in I-9 compliance and defends against worksite enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He guides investors and their families through all stages of the immigration process, from adjustment of status and immigrant visa processing to consular interview preparation and source-of-funds documentation.
Mr. Chichoni has served as lead counsel for immigration and employment verification during major acquisitions, mergers, and corporate reorganizations. He has provided pro bono representation for foreign nationals detained at ICE Processing Service Centers, appearing before Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. He also serves as lead immigration counsel for international corporate clients, assisting employees with obtaining foreign visas and work authorization for assignments both in and outside the U.S. In addition, he has trained in-house legal teams on preparing petitions for the temporary admission of foreign nationals, educated the press on accurate reporting of immigration issues, and advised universities on the fundamental research exception as it applies to foreign students, researchers, and professors. Mr. Chichoni has also developed policies and procedures to help employers ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws while addressing export licensing issues and federal anti-discrimination provisions.
In his leadership role, Mr. Chichoni serves as the National Immigration Counsel for ALTA (Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association), a trade association for airlines in Latin America, and for RBA (Retail Bakers of America), which represents retail bakers and affiliated industries across the U.S.
A recognized thought leader in immigration law, Mr. Chichoni is frequently invited to speak at both U.S. and international conferences and has been quoted in numerous media outlets on issues relating to immigration and international law.
Bar Admissions
- Texas
- Utah
- Not admitted to practice in Florida. Practice is solely limited to immigration and nationality law.
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Education
- University of Oxford, Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme, 2022
- Harvard University, The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Higher Education Teaching Certification, 2021
- J.D., Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School, 1996
- Journal of Law and Education, Conference Editor
- M.P.A., Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business, 1996
- B.A., Brigham Young University, Political Science and International Relations, 1992
Languages
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Italian (functional)
- French (functional)