James Prappas has over 30 years’ experience representing businesses, families and individuals concerning employment-based immigration, family-based immigration and naturalization matters. He regularly assists corporate clients secure the best talent from around the globe to achieve business goals. As a Board-Certified specialist, James advises Fortune 500, middle market and emerging companies in U.S. immigration matters relating to the energy, manufacturing and service industries. Clients value his attentive service and invaluable legal insights as he guides them through the process of strategic immigration planning and related transactional matters.
James has extensive experience in nonimmigrant visas, including B, E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H1B1, L, O, P, R and TN. He advises clients on the international transfer of key personnel, employment and family-based immigration, worksite enforcement and I-9 matters, naturalization and derivative citizenship.
He thoroughly evaluates each client’s situation to craft solutions that reflect their objectives. James applies his extensive knowledge and expertise to help clients navigate an increasingly complex world to achieve integrated business and immigration solutions.
Experience
- Successful E-1 applications for manufacturers and service providers and E-2 applications for real estate and agricultural investors to permit the growth and expansion of their U.S. businesses.
- Extensive track record filing E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor cases for start-up and existing entities.
- Expertise concerning individual L-1 and L-1 blanket petitions for start-up and existing businesses.
- Extensive experience concerning H-1B petitions and overcoming RFEs.
- Extensive experience counseling employers concerning E-verify matters.
- Significant expertise concerning O-1 visas for athletes, artists and business persons.
- Extensive background and experience concerning family-based immigration petitions.
- Substantial experience concerning derivative citizenship and complex naturalization petitions.
- Developing the strategy and implementing an integrated solution to permit businesses to obtain nonimmigrant visas and lawful permanent residence aka “green cards” for employees through EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 options.
Publications
- “Obtaining Ancillary Benefits, ” Texas Bar CLE’s 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2015
- “Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas: Beyond the Basics,” 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2013
Presentations
- The Automotive Industry: NAFTA 2.0 & Labor and Immigration Matters (Panelist), 2nd Annual SWIICL – Mexico Workshop, March 2018
- “U.S. Immigration – Current Issues and Trends,” U.S. Mexico Bar Association 2017 Conference, September 2017
- “Aspectos Fiscales en Migracion: Efecto Trump,” Instituto de Contadores Públicos de Nuevo León A.C (ICPNL), August 2017
- “U.S. Immigration Compliance and Visa Issues Selective Overview,” Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law, February 2017
- Building Bridges for Business (Panelist), 22nd Annual US-Mexico Bar Conference, October 2016
- 14th Annual Course on Advanced Immigration Law (Moderator), State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section, February 2016
- “Overview of U.S. Immigration Law – Selected Issues and U.S. Real Estate Primer,” Keller Williams Realtors International Division, March 2015
- “Obtaining Ancillary Benefits,” Texas Bar CLE’s 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2015
- “Doing Business in Houston,” NOF Energy and British-American Business Council Houston, January 2015
- “U.S. Immigration and Tax—Opportunities and Pitfalls,” International Tax Forum of Houston, March 2014
- “Immigration 101,” 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2014
- “International Taxation,” Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, June 2013
- “Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas: Beyond the Basics,” 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2013
- Seminar Immigration Law, Rice University, October 2012
Associations
- British-American Business Council Houston, Board Member
- Japan America Society of Houston, Board Member
- Netherlands America Chamber of Commerce – Texas Chapter, Board Member (2011- 2018)
Community
- The Parish School – Board Member (2009- 2017); Vice President (2013-2017)
- Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, Honorary Legal Counsel
