Bob practices in the field of employment-based immigration with a special focus on immigration matters for academic institutions, healthcare organizations, international physicians, and IT professionals.
The core values that he brings to his practice are: passion, creativity, a touch of humor, sound and informed legal advice, and a profound sense of client service. His clients include some of the nation’s major university institutions and healthcare systems that look to Bob to provide timely, responsible and effective advice on immigration law and strategy.
Bob is a shareholder in the firm’s Immigration Department. He is a prolific author and engaging speaker on immigration matters, having authored over 70 articles and spoken at innumerable national and regional meetings, workshops, and conferences. He has a national reputation as a leader in his professional field as evidenced by various major professional accomplishments, including: Fulbright Fellow at the law schools of Harvard and Moscow State University; Editor-in-Chief of The Physician Immigration Book (ILW: 2011-2012 Edition), which is the most authoritative treatise on immigration matters for international physicians; legal advisor on the advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in its study on appropriate immigration policy for international physicians; founder and first chair of the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Taskforce, which is comprised of professionals in the law seeking more favorable policies and programs to address the country’s physician shortage situation; and recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award of the Indiana University School of Law. In 2015, Bob was the inaugural recipient of the Roberta Friedman Lifetime Achievement Award that was issued in recognition of his contributions to the field of immigration law and policy for International Physicians. Bob was named as the 2017 recipient of the Sidney Barrows Lifetime Achievement Award of the Cardozo Society, the affinity group of Jewish lawyers, jurists and law students in the Twin Cities, for his professional achievements, community service and love of learning. He received the 2019 Fredric Moskol 3RNet Leadership Award in recognition of his contributions in exploring the role of immigration – in particular, J-1 waiver practice – in creatively expanding coverage by international physicians for rural and underserved populations. Bob is the Chair of HIAS, the nation’s oldest refugee rights organization and the voice of the American Jewish community in providing refugees of all faiths and backgrounds with protection and dignity.
Learn More About Immigration Law Related to Academic Institutions and Foreign Physicians:
What steps can international scholars and scientists take to aid their permanent residence case?
Can immigration provide a competitive edge to employers when recruiting international physicians?
What are some considerations to obtaining permanent resident status for postdoctoral scholars?
What are some of the major immigration challenges faced by physicians and scientists from India?
What is the role of international physicians in today’s healthcare reforms?
This article focuses on options available to Postdoctoral Scholars to attain permanent residence based on their professional skills. While U.S. immigration law contains various pathways to permanent residence, such as family-based (largely, but not exclusively marriage to a U.S. citizen), fear of persecution (laws of asylum and refugee) and miscellaneous programs (the most common of which is the Diversity Lottery program), this article is limited to strategies available to Postdocs leveraged off of their employment skills.
“Making Immigration Into a Powerful Physician Recruitment Tool,” Association of Staff Physician Recruiters, Summer/Fall 2016
Quoted in “Physician Recruiter inSights” blog entitled “Immigration, IMGs, Visa, Sponsorships, and Physician Recruitment” (PracticeMatch post of June 28, 2016)
“10 Keys to Attaining Permanent Resident Status for Postdoctoral Scholars,” May 4, 2015
Quoted in “Employment-Related Aspects of Immigration Executive Action to Dominate 2015,” The Bloomberg Daily Labor Report, January 26, 2015, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
Contributing Author (healthcare sections), Immigration Law Sourcebook, Multiple Editions 2006- 2015, (Ed.: I. Kurzban), American Immigration Council
Author, “Immigration Overview for International Medical Graduates,” State Medical Licensure Requirements and Statistics, Annual Editions 1995-2013, American Medical Association
Author, “Healthigration: Physician Immigration and National Healthcare Reform,” The Physician Immigration Book, 2011-2012 Edition, ILW.com
Co-Author, “Searching for the Five-Year Cure: Eligibility Issues Following Completion of the Employment Obligation in NIW Cases,” The Physician Immigration Book, 2011-2012 Edition, ILW.com
Co-Author, “From Draconian to Protean: Home Residence Obligations for Physicians under INA §212(e),” Immigration Options for Academics and Researchers, 2nd Edition, 2005-2011, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Co-Author, “J-1 Issues Within a Graduate Medical Education (GME) Context,” Immigration Options for Physicians, 3rd Edition, 2009, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Author, “The Evolution of the Conrad Waiver Program: Fourteen Years of State- and Federal-Based J-1 Waivers to Physicians,” Immigration Options for Physicians, 3rd Edition, 2009, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Co-Author, “Zeno’s Revenge: The Paradoxes of Interested Government Agency J-1 Waivers for Physicians,” Immigration Briefings, April-May 2004, West, a Thomson business
Co-Author, “Zelig Gets a Visa,” The New Face of Immigration, 15th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, 2002, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Author, “Legal Considerations in Evolving Policy Determinations toward International Medical Graduates,” Unpublished Report to the Bureau of Health Professions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 1996
PRESENTATIONS
Presenter, “For You Were Strangers: The Need for the Jewish Voice in Refugee Protection,” Adath Jesherun Synagogue, March 13, 2021
Presenter, “Refugee Shabbat: The Call to Love Thy Neighbor,” Temple Israel, March 5, 2021
Co-Presenter, “Demystifying the Immigration Process,” Missouri Health Professional Placement Services, January 28, 2021
Co-Presenter: “Immigration Update Entering the New Year,” 3RNet, January 19, 2021
Co-Presenter: “Post-Election Immigration Developments for International Scholars,” University of California, San Francisco, December 8, 2020
Co-Presenter, “New Developments: Immigration for Students and Scholars,” University of Colorado Denver, October 15, 2020
Co-Presenter: “Immigration Pathways for Postdocs to Permanent Residence,” NAFSA, Region 1, October 23, 2020
Co-Presenter: “Workforce Development Learning Collaborative: New Developments in Healthcare Immigration,” Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA), August 27, 2020
Presenter: “Immigration Update and Roundtable Discussion,” 3RNet, June 25, 2020
Co-Presenter: “It’s a Changed World: Update on Immigration Law and Policy,” University of Minnesota, June 17, 2020
Presenter, “Physician Immigration for Texas Safety-Net Providers,” Webinar of Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC), November 2019
Presenter, “Issues in Recruiting J-1 Physicians for Placements in Rural America,” 3RNet Annual Conference, September 2019
Presenter, “Certification Program for Physician Recruiters,” Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR), Orlando, FL, April 2019
Presenter, “Expanding your Recruitment Toolbox – Becoming an IMG Superstar,” Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR), Orlando, FL, April 2019
Speaker, “J-1 Waiver Workshops,” Annual Meeting of the American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, PA, April 2019
Speaker, “Pathways to Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Physicians,” Indiana University, Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN, February 2019
Speaker, “Welcoming the Stranger,” Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation, Indianapolis, IN, February 2019
Speaker, “The Jewish Voice in Refugee Protection,” Adath Jesherun Synagogue, Minnetonka, MN, October 2018
Chair, “Immigration Developments for Recruiting International Physicians,” 3RNet Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, September 2018
Speaker, “Today’s Crisis in Refugee Protection: A Jewish Response,” Congregation Hakafa, Glencoe, IL, September 2018
Speaker, “Pathways to Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars,” University of California, San Francisco, CA, June 2018
Speaker, “Changes in Immigration Law and Policy under the New Administration,” University of California, San Francisco, CA, June 2018
Speaker, “Making Immigration Work for Rural Communities.” Minnesota Rural Health Conference, Duluth, MN, June 2018
Speaker, “Emerging Issues for Academic HealthCare Institutions,” NAFSA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 2018
Co-Presenter, “What Now? What Next? Hiring Foreign Nationals in Uncertain Times,” Fredrikson & Byron Immigration Seminar, May 9, 2018
Co-Presenter, “Advanced Immigration Issues for Academic Medical Institutions Workshop;” NAFSA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 2018
Speaker, “Certification Program for Physician Recruiters,” Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (ASPR), Chicago, IL, April 2018
Speaker, “Access to Justice in the Immigration Context” (Teleconference), Indiana University; Minneapolis, MN, April 2018
Speaker, “Pathways to Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars,” Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, January 2018
Speaker, “Paths to Permanent Residency for Postdocs,” University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, November 29, 2017
Speaker, “Hot Topics & The Current State of Employment Based Immigration,” Advanced Issues in Immigration, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Indianapolis IN, November 17, 2017
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers: Guidelines Leading to the Green Card,” Indiana University, Indianapolis IN, November 16, 2017
Speaker, “J-1 Waivers for Medical Residents and Fellows,” Indiana University, Indianapolis IN, November 16, 2017
Speaker, “For You Were Once Strangers…” – A Candid Discussion on Immigration Today, JCRC Lunch & Learn Event, Minneapolis MN, November 9
Speaker, “Boom or Bust: High Skilled Worker Rule & Academic Institution,” NAFSA Regional Conference, Denver CO, November 6, 2017
Speaker, “Overview of the Employment-Based Options for Permanent Residence,” University of California, San Francisco CA, October 4, 2017
Speaker, “Self-Sponsorship for Permanent Residence for Postdocs and Researchers,” University of California, San Francisco CA, October 2, 2017 and October 6, 2017
Speaker: “Immigration as a Recruitment Tool for Rural Placements,” 3RNet Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, September 12-14, 2017
Speaker, “Fast Track for Academic Physicians and Researchers,” Physician Immigration Law Institute/International Medical Graduate Task Force Conference, Washington, DC, December 5, 2016
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers: Guidelines Leading to the Green Card,” University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, November 21, 2016
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers: Guidelines Leading to the Green Card,” University of California – San Francisco, CA, November 15, 2016
Speaker, “Employment Based Immigration: Basic Overview to the U.S. Immigration System,” University of California – San Francisco, CA, November 14, 2016
Speaker, “The ABCs of RFEs,” NAFSA Bi-Regional Conference, New Orleans, LA, November 10, 2016
Speaker, “Policies and Practices: The New STEM Extension of OPT,” NAFSA Bi-Regional Conference, New Orleans, LA, November 9, 2016
Speaker, “Guiding Postdocs to Permanent Residence,” NAFSA VI Conference, Indianapolis IN, November 7, 2016
Speaker, “Roots of the Stem: DSO Actions under STEM OPT,” NAFSA VI Conference, Indianapolis IN, November 7, 2016
Speaker, “Immigration Concepts for Community Health Centers: The Flip Side: Make the Cost Benefit Work for You,” Texas Association of Community Health Centers Annual Conference, Dallas TX, October 18, 2016
Speaker, “J-Waivers: A Needed Cure to Physician Recruitment,” AILA Ohio Fall Chapter Conference, Columbus, OH, October 7, 2016
Speaker, “Working With Foreign Nationals: Employment Sponsorship, Immigration Compliance and Community Integration”, Fredrikson & Byron Immigration Seminar, Minneapolis, MN, September 22, 2016
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers: Guidelines Leading to the Green Card,” Emory University, Atlanta, GA, September 20, 2016
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers: Guidelines Leading to the Green Card,” Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, September 19, 2016
Speaker, “Making Your State Into a J-1 Waiver Powerhouse,” 3RNet Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, September 14, 2016
Speaker/Panelist, “Benefits of the J-1 Visa – A Conversation on the Exchange Visitor Program,” Global Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, August 19, 2016
Chair, “Researchers Don’t Always Wear Lab Coats: Taking Advantage of Special Provisions for Researchers,” AILA Annual Conference, June 22, 2016
Chair and Co-Presenter, “New STEM Rule: New Guidelines for Students in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics,” NAFSA: Association of International Educators, June 2, 2016
Co-Presenter, “Immigration Overview for Academic Physicians,” Pre-Conference Workshop at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, May 29, 2016
Speaker, “Physician Immigration Primer” and “Immigration: In-depth Legal Hows and Whys,” Association of Staff Physician Recruiters, May 15, 2016
Speaker, “Immigration Options for J-1 Physicians: Waivers and Acquisition of Status,” Annual Meeting of American College of Physicians, May 4-May 7, 2016
Speaker, “Employment-Based Permanent Residence Petitions,” and “Self-Sponsorship Options for Permanent Residence for Postdocs and Researchers,” University of California/San Francisco, April 11-13, 2016
Speaker, “Self –Petitioned Options for Permanent Residence for Postdocs” and “U.S. Permanent Residency and J-1 Waiver for Medical Residents and Fellows,” Indiana University, April 4, 2016
Speaker, “Self-Petitioned Options for Permanent Residence for Postdocs and Junior Researchers,” University of Minnesota, March 24, 2016
Speaker, “Self-Petitioned Options for Permanent Residence for Postdocs and Junior Researchers,” Iowa State University, March 17, 2016
Speaker, Academic In-House Recruiters (AIR), a chapter of the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (ASPR), Webinar, October 27, 2015
Seminar Chair: AILA Program on “Recent Changes in J Requirements”
Chair, ILW Seminar Series on Immigration Options for International Physicians, July-September 2015
Speaker and Recurrent Course Chair: Various Session Presentations largely on Immigration Issues for Physicians and Academic Personnel at the Annual Conferences of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 1990-present
Speaker, “J-1 Waiver Workshops,” Annual Meeting of American College of Physicians, April 29-31, 2015
Speaker, “10 Keys to the Kingdom of Permanent Residence for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers,” Annual Meeting of the National Postdoctoral Association, March 14, 2015
Speaker, “Recruitment Strategies and Options of J-1 Physicians,” 3RNet Annual Conferences (2008 – 2015)
Speaker and Course Co-Developer, “Immigration Certification Program,” Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (ASPR) Annual Conferences (2009 -2015)
Speaker, “Various Topics on Immigration Law and Policy for the Academic Community,” Indiana University, Multiple Presentations, 1998-2015
Speaker, “Various Topics on Immigration Law and Policy for the Academic Community,” University of California, San Francisco, Multiple Presentations, 2000-2015
Speaker, “Workshop on Immigration Law and Policy for Academic Physicians,” Multiple Conferences of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 2005-2014
Co-Presenter: “When Things Go South: The Good Doctor Needs an Appointment,” Physician Immigration Law Institute, November 13, 2014
Fulbright Fellow: Law Schools of Harvard University and Moscow State University
Co-Founder and First Chair, IMG Task Source
Various Leadership Positions, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Fellow, Walter F. Mondale Policy Forum
Fellow, Harry Kaye Leadership Institute
Trustee, Aronson & Associates Immigration Law Firm Fund
COMMUNITY
Board Member and Chair, HIAS (formerly: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
Board Member, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Member, Advisory Committee: American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Trustee, Aronson & Associates Immigration Law Firm Fund
Advisory Council, Hillel Jewish Student Foundation of the University of Minnesota
International Council, The Actors Theater
Board Member, CONNECT US-Russia
Legal Advisor, Minneapolis Children’s Theater
Chair, National Allocations Committee, Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service
Soviet Affairs Advisor, Senatorial Campaign of Hubert H. Humphrey III
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