Bill’s legal work focuses on immigration and nationality law, as well as outbound emigration and related international law. Bill regularly represents clients in immigration matters before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Labor, as well as before US and foreign consulates.
During law school, he served on the editorial board of the Houston Journal of International Law.
viewpoints
Travel Ban Court Update on Family Members’ as “Bona Fide” Relationship
September 8, 2017 | Alert | By William Coffman
On Thursday, September 7, 2017, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals let stand the Hawaii District Court temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s revised travel ban.
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Rescission of DACA: FAQs for Employers of DACA Beneficiaries (a.k.a. Dreamers)
September 6, 2017 | Alert | By Susan Cohen, William Coffman
Q. When is the DACA program ending?
A. The Trump Administration rescinded the DACA program on September 5, 2017, but is phasing out the program over a six-month period that will end on March 5, 2018.
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A. The Trump Administration rescinded the DACA program on September 5, 2017, but is phasing out the program over a six-month period that will end on March 5, 2018.
Trump Administration Suggests Potential Cuts to Cultural Exchange Visas
August 29, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman
The Trump Administration is evaluating potential reductions to U.S. cultural exchange programs that allow young people from across the world the opportunity to work temporarily in the US. The potential cuts would impact five programs that are part of the J-1 visa exchange visitor program.
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U.S. Mission in Russia to Temporarily Suspend NIV Issuance
August 22, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman
In a continuation of the diplomatic tit-for-tat with Russia, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced on Monday, August 21, 2017, that it would suspend issuance of nonimmigrant visas for eight days starting August 23rd. Nonimmigrant visa issuance will resume at the Embassy on September 1st, but will be suspended indefinitely at other posts in Russia.
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Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions Once Again Eligible for Premium Processing
July 25, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman
Effective immediately, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for select cap-exempt H-1B petitions. Cap-exempt petitioners who are eligible for premium processing can file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, along with the filing fee of $1,225.
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USCIS Reveals H-1B Cap Submission Numbers & President Trump Signs a New Executive Order
April 19, 2017 | Alert | By William Coffman
As a follow-up to the April 7, 2017 announcement that the H-1B cap had been reached, on Monday, April 17, USCIS revealed that it has now completed the random selection of the 85,000 petitions for the quota and that in total, the agency received 199,000 H-1B cap-subject submissions.
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FAQs for Entering the U.S.—Entry Inspection and Electronic Devices
April 6, 2017 | Blog | By William Coffman, Cassie Ramos
All individuals entering the U.S. at international ports of entry are inspected by US Customs & Border Protection (CBP). This occurs at either the arrival airport in the U.S., Pre-Flight Inspection if flying from most Canadian airports, or border crossings into the U.S. from either Canada or Mexico.
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Increased Scrutiny of Visa Applications and Possible Delays
March 28, 2017 | Alert | By William Coffman
On March 17, 2017, the Department of State (“DOS”), through the Secretary of State, issued a cable to all US consulates and embassies with guidance on enhanced screening and vetting of applications for US visas and other immigration benefits.
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DHS Site Visits and Inspections — Be Prepared
March 9, 2017 | Alert | By Susan Cohen, William Coffman
From time to time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts site visits at the offices of employers petitioning for temporary work visas on behalf of their employees. These visits are funded by the $500 “anti-fraud” fee that is a component of the filing fee for H-1B and L-1 visas.
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Work and Travel Guidance for F-1 Students with Pending H-1B “Change of Status” Applications and “Cap-Gap” Employment Authorization
March 8, 2017 | Advisory | By William Coffman
This advisory summarizes key travel and employment issues if you are an F-1 student with Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment eligibility valid to April 1, 2017 or later, and an H-1B filing on your behalf has been accepted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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News & Press
USCIS Fee Increases May Have Unintended Consequences
February 15, 2024
Mintz attorneys Juan Steevens and William Coffman co-authored an article in Law360 exploring the unforeseen impacts arising from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ final rule on adjusting filing fees for the majority of petitions and applications.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022
In its second annual edition, 28 Mintz attorneys were named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
Mintz Practice Groups and Attorneys Garner Top Rankings in 2020 Edition of The Legal 500 United States
June 12, 2020
In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
Immigration Compliance Essentials For 2019
January 22, 2019
This Law360 “Expert Analysis” column discusses how important compliance is in today’s aggressive immigration enforcement environment. The column is authored by a team of Mintz attorneys – Susan Cohen, Bill Coffman and Kevin McNamara.
Best Lawyers named 85 Mintz attorneys to its 2018 list of The Best Lawyers in America. In addition, Mintz attorneys Matthew J. Gardella and Samuel M. Tony Starr were named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas.
Best Lawyers named 73 Mintz attorneys to its 2017 list of The Best Lawyers in America. Mintz attorneys selected for inclusion in this year’s list span 44 practice areas.
Events & Speaking
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Dec
6
2018
Immigration Compliance & Risk Management Webinar Series
Part II: Creating Compliance Policies for a New Era
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Oct
25
2018
Immigration Compliance & Risk Management Webinar Series
Part I: Keeping DHS in Your Sights: Site Visits & Record Keeping
Panelist
Aug
10
2018
2018 AILA Employer Compliance and Worksite Enforcement CLE Conference
Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA
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May
30
2017
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May
24
2017
Employment-based Immigration: Talent Acquisition, Retention & Compliance under a New Administration
Mintz Levin
San Diego, CA
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Feb
16
2017
A Round-up of Recent Immigration Law Changes and a Roadmap for Compliance in a New Administration
Mintz Levin
New York, NY
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Recognition & Awards
Chambers USA: Massachusetts - Immigration (2021 – 2023)
Recommended by The Legal 500 United States for Labor & Employment: Immigration (2014, 2020)
Best Lawyers in America: Immigration Law (2013 – 2022)
International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers (2016 – 2019)
Top Author in the semiconductor industry, JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards (2016)
Boston Magazine Top Lawyers – Immigration (2021)
Involvement
- Panelist, AILA's Employment-Based Green Card Applications: Considerations and Strategies webinar
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Recent Insights
Mintz attorneys Juan Steevens and William Coffman co-authored an article in Law360 exploring the unforeseen impacts arising from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ final rule on adjusting filing fees for the majority of petitions and applications.
Update: USCIS Poised to Increase Immigration Filing Fees
January 24, 2024| Alert|
