Zabrina is a Partner and the Immigration Practice Group Leader.
She assists companies and individuals in strategically navigating the complex U.S. immigration system and handles a wide array of immigration matters. She works with multinational, mid-size and small businesses in obtaining TN, L-1, H-1B, E-1/E-2 and O-1 status for their employees and regularly counsels investors, entrepreneurs and start-ups in obtaining investment-based nonimmigrant visas. Zabrina also assists with employment-based green card processes through PERM, multinational executive/manager, national interest waiver, extraordinary ability and outstanding researcher categories. In addition, she handles family-based immigration matters, naturalization and waivers.
A dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, she has counseled clients on immigration issues across several industries, including professional sports, music and entertainment, fashion, energy, health care, education, technology, engineering, manufacturing and professional services. Due in part to her proximity to the border, she has developed particular expertise in NAFTA/USMCA applications, waiver and admissibility issues and border-problem cases. Zabrina is a frequent speaker at immigration-related conferences and seminars and is very active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Panelist, “Best Practices and Tips for 212(d)(3) Waivers for DACA Beneficiaries and More,” AILA Latin America and Caribbean Chapter, September 2024
Panelist, “U.S. Department of State,” AILA Upstate NY Chapter 2024 Northern Border Conference, September 2024
Panelist, “Essential Terms and Concepts (Fundamentals),” Panel at 2024 AILA National Annual Conference and Webcast in Chicago – Pre-Recorded OnDemand Conference Sessions, June 2024
Panelist, “Customs and Border Protection May 2024 – Update,” AILA Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter Webinar CLE, May 2024
Panelist, “Leveraging L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visas to Empower Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs,” 2024 AILA Investors and Entrepreneurs Conference and Webcast, February 2024
Panelist, “Know Before You Grow: How to Prepare for U.S. Expansion,” Communitech Webinar, November 2023
Discussion Leader, “Northern Border Update,” AILA Upstate New York’s 2023 Northern Border Conference, October 2023
Immigration Resource, Pathways to Tech, TechBuffalo and Be in Buffalo, September 2023
Panelist, “How the U.S. Is Closing the Door to Top Talent,” Buffalo Niagara Partnership Government Affairs, August 2023
Discussion Leader, “USMCA-Based Visa Categories and Related Port of Entry Issues,” 2023 AILA Paralegals Conference and Webcast – Preconference Virtual Sessions and OnDemand Recordings, May 2023
Discussion Leader, “Advising Nomads: How to Avoid Misuse of B-1/B-2/ESTA,” AILA National Webinar CLE, May 2023
Discussion Leader, “Northern Border Update,” AILA Upstate New York’s 2022 Northern Border Conference, October 2022
Panelist, “The Future of International Treaties in the Post-Pandemic and Sanctions Era,” American Bar Association International Law Section, June 2022
Discussion Leader, “Barriers to Entry in Employment-Based Cases: Inadmissibility, Waivers and Rehabilitation,” 2022 AILA Border Virtual Conference, March 2022
Discussion Leader, “TN Strategies and Trends: Consular and Ports-of-Entry,” AILA National Web Seminar, August 2021
Panelist, “CBP/DOS Town Hall,” AILA Canada Chapter Conference, April 2021
Speaker, “Employment-Based Immigration Fundamentals,” 12th Annual Northern Border Immigration Fall Conference, AILA Upstate New York Chapter, October 2020
Speaker, “TN Issues at the Border,” AILA National Web Seminar, August 2020
Speaker, “TN Visas Under the Current Administration,” AILA National Web Seminar, March 2019
Activities & Professional Associations
Present Activities
Child & Family Services, Certified Foster Parent
Jewish Family Services of Buffalo & Erie County, Former Secretary, Board of Directors
Past Activities
Samuel L. Green, NYS Appellate Division, Fourth Department, Buffalo, NY, Intern, 2009
Professional Associations
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
CBP National Liaison Committee, Member, 2021 – Present
Author, “2022 Immigration Roundup: Cross-Border Visa Processing Delays Require Preplanning,” Invest Buffalo Niagara, October 2022
Author, “Corporate Immigration Challenges in 2022,” Buffalo Business First, September 2022
Co-Author, “Navigating INA §212(d)(3) Waivers for Employment-Based Cases: Applications with CBP and Consular Officials,” 2022 AILA Border Issues Virtual Conference Handbook, March 2022
Co-Author, “Canadian and Mexican TN Applications: From COVID to USMCA,” AILA National Web Seminar Publication, August 2021
Co-Author, “Employment Based Immigration Fundamentals: Common Temporary Options for Canadians,” The Proceedings of the 12th Annual Northern Border Immigration Fall CLE Conference, October 2020
Co-Author, “TN Applications at the Border: From COVID to USMCA,” AILA National Web Seminar Publication, August 2020
Author, “Rehabilitating TN Applications at the Border,” AILA National Web Seminar Publication, March 2019
Publications
Co-Editor-in-Chief and Contributing Author, AILA’s USMCA Toolbox: Practical Guidance for Practitioners with Canadian and Mexican Clients Seeking Admission under the TN, L, and B Categories, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), March 2022
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