Kimberley A. Chandler started her legal career in 1981, when she graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. She started practicing immigration law soon thereafter.

Kim has represented clients in all types of immigration matters before a number of governmental agencies and departments, including the Department of State, the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security. Her clients include companies of all different sizes and industries based in the United States and various other countries, as well as individuals from around the world.

Examples of types of cases in which Kim commonly provides representation include:

• For professional workers in a variety of industries, including high-tech, health care, mining, education, government and resort/tourism, Kim has secured temporary nonimmigrant visas.
  
• Kim has represented foreign investors who are creating new enterprises in the U.S. and seeking temporary, E-2 status or permanent residency.
  
• Athletes have retained Kim to represent them in obtaining permanent, or temporary, authorization to coach or participate in U.S. sports teams.
  
• Employees wanting to work in the U.S. and their employers hire Kim to secure permanent resident status for the employees and their families.
  
• Persons wanting to become U.S. citizens retain Kim to represent them in the naturalization process.
  
• Multi-national companies expanding U.S. operations have retained Kim to assist them in bringing executives, managers and persons with specialized skills and knowledge to the U.S. to assist with expansion efforts.
  
• U.S. companies wanting advice and representation relating to the I-9 process have retained Kim.
  
• U.S. citizens marrying non-citizens seek Kim's representation in the process of obtaining permanent residency for the foreign-born spouse.
  
• Persons of extraordinary or exceptional ability hire Kim to establish the uniqueness and/or exceptional level of their skills for the purpose of acquiring either a temporary or permanent immigration status.
  
• Adoption by United States citizens of children born overseas.

Having practiced in the field of immigration law for more than 20 years, Kim has become experienced in most types of immigration matters. As many of her clients will attest, Kim enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to complex immigration issues of all types.

Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP, Special Counsel, 1990 – 2000.

Solo Practitioner, 1982 – 1990.

Member and Past President of the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Current member and past officer/board member of the Japan America Society of Colorado.

Board Member, SafeHouse Denver, 1999-2001.

Listed in Best Lawyers in America Consumers Edition.

A-V Martindale-Hubbell Rating.

Regularly writes and speaks on immigration topics.

Member, Board of Editors, Articles Editor, University of Colorado Law Review.

Bachelor of Arts degree, 1974, Cornell University.

NEWS

H-lB Cap for Fiscal Year 2014 Reached in 5 Days!

The annual cap on H-lB's of 65,000 was reached on April 5,2013. That is only five days after the window for applying opened on April 2,2013. Current law provides that if the cap is reached within five days, a lottery involving all who submitted H-lB applications within that period of time will be conducted and the H-lB "winners" randomly chosen.

Last year, the H-lB cap was not reached until June, so this year's demand for foreign workers is significantly greater than last year's, perhaps signaling an improving economy.

THE DREAM ACT AND DEFERRED ACTION

On June 15, 2012, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum allowing certain young people to apply for deferred action, which is protection from deportation, for a period of two years. To qualify, one must meet the following criteria:

• Must have entered the United States when under the age of sixteen;
• Must have resided continuously in the United States for at least five years preceding June 15, 2012 and been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
• Must currently be in school, obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
• Must not have been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and
• Not be older than thirty years of age.

Note that approval for deferred action does not mean a grant of lawful status, permanent residency or citizenship.

H-1B CAP REACHED

The H-1B annual cap for fiscal year 2013 was reached June 11, 2012, much earlier than in previous years. The good news is that the greater demand for H-1B foreign workers may signal an improving economy; the bad news is that companies needing H-1B workers must wait until April, 2013 to apply and until October 1, 2013 for new H-1B workers to actually begin working.