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    Laura Buck photograph

    Laura N. Buck

    Associate

    New Orleans
    504-679-5524
    laura.buck@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Labor and EmploymentImmigration

    Large corporations looking for complex skillsets and qualified foreign talent turn to Laura Buck. She addresses the immigration needs of U.S. companies and helps them find reliable labor solutions.

    Laura deals exclusively with immigration issues. She’s particularly skilled in handling employment-based immigrant petitions and petitions for nonimmigrant (temporary) workers. Laura considers the comprehensive needs of her clients and offers assistance with every aspect of the petition process, including managing recruitment campaigns, securing translations and foreign degree evaluations, and assisting with drafting and collecting reference letters or employer support letters when required. She has extensive experience helping clients across the education, government, health care, arts and sciences sectors with:

      • Permanent labor certification and national interest waivers
      • EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-4 immigrant petitions
      • H-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, TN and L-1 nonimmigrant visa petitions
      • J-1 waiver applications

    Laura enjoys investing face time with employers and foreign nationals and building familiarity with the concerns and challenges that arise in various contexts and industries. Laura is a zealous immigration advocate who recognizes that there is never a one-size-fits-all approach to resolve issues. Rather, she carefully analyzes the circumstances of each foreign national’s case and similarly evaluates all options for their dependent family members. She also stays up-to-date with the latest developments in the ever-evolving word of immigration law to give clients a clear understanding of their options, timeframe, expectations and possible outcomes.

    Laura is also well-versed in all aspects of family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, naturalization and citizenship matters and speaks Spanish fluently.

    Laura enjoys investing face time with employers and foreign nationals and building familiarity with the concerns and challenges that arise in various contexts and industries. Laura is a zealous immigration advocate who recognizes that there is never a one-size-fits-all approach to resolve issues. Rather, she carefully analyzes the circumstances of each foreign national’s case and similarly evaluates all options for their dependent family members. She also stays up-to-date with the latest developments in the ever-evolving word of immigration law to give clients a clear understanding of their options, timeframe, expectations and possible outcomes.

    Laura is also well-versed in all aspects of family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, naturalization and citizenship matters and speaks Spanish fluently.

    Insights

    • April 11, 2025

      SEVIS Terminations and Visa Revocations Affecting International Students…

    • July 2, 2024

      President Biden Creates New Process for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens to Secure Work Authorization and Lawful Residency …

    More +
    • May 10, 2024

      Health Insurance is Now in Reach for Certain DACA Recipients …

    • May 7, 2024

      How USCIS Fee Changes Impact Business Immigration Strategies…

    • January 23, 2024

      H-1B Filing Process Improvements Give Employers Easier Access to International Talent…

    • November 20, 2023

      Can International Student-Athletes Benefit from NIL Agreements?…

    • September 18, 2023

      “E-Verify NextGen” Project Aims to Simplify Eligibility Verification Process for Employers and Employees…

    • February 15, 2023

      DOL Clarifies Whether FLSA and FMLA Protections Apply to Remote Employees…

    • February 2, 2023

      Employers Should Prepare Now Before the 2024 H-1B Visa Lottery Opens March 1…

    • January 27, 2023

      The End of Title 42 May Be a Boom for Employers With Short-Term Labor Demand…

    • January 11, 2023

      USCIS Proposes Rule to Adjust Immigration and Naturalization Fees…

    • December 22, 2022

      As You Deck the Halls and Trim the Tree, Don’t Forget About H-1B…

    • June 15, 2022

      Tips for Couples Filing Same-Sex Marriage-Based Immigrant Petitions …

    • May 27, 2022

      USCIS Honors Military Service Members and Veterans through Naturalization …

    • February 22, 2022

      Resolving Workforce Quality & Attrition Hurdles …

    • February 10, 2022

      Health Care Employers: Act Now to Take Advantage of H-1B Visa Program …

    • January 6, 2022

      Five 2021 Business Immigration Trends That Could Affect Your Workforce in 2022…

    • September 23, 2021

      Biden Administration to Lift Travel Ban for Vaccinated Foreign Nationals…

    • September 22, 2021

      Skies Clearing for Fiancés and Spouses of U.S. Citizens to Join Them in U.S.…

    • September 15, 2021

      After Hurricane Ida, Can Employers Relocate H-1B Employees?…

    • July 28, 2021

      Applying for Nonimmigrant Academic Student Status Just Got Easier…

    • March 4, 2021

      European Travelers Beware: U.S. Changed Who Can Travel from Schengen Area, U.K. and Ireland…

    • February 24, 2021

      A Path Forward: A Conversation About Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the Labor and Employment Space…

    • February 14, 2021

      Immigration Options for Married or Engaged Couples…

    • February 8, 2021

      Can O-1 Visa Workers Maintain Valid Status Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic?…

    • January 12, 2021

      Employers May Have Better Shot at H-1B Visas by Offering Higher Wages…

    • January 11, 2021

      President Trump Extends Visa Bans Through End of March…

    • October 27, 2020

      USCIS Says "Show Me the Money"…

    • October 21, 2020

      New DHS Rule Puts Bigger Burden on Immigrants and Sponsors…

    • October 20, 2020

      Proposed Immigration Changes Deal a Blow to Employer-Friendly H-1B Visa Program…

    • October 14, 2020

      DHS Higher Ed Overhaul Aims to Limit Stays for F and J Students and Scholars, Among Other Critical Changes…

    • August 4, 2020

      Can International Students Get Back to the U.S. This Fall?…

    • May 27, 2020

      Foreign Medical Graduates Given Relief on Some Restrictions for Obtaining Waivers of the 2-Year Foreign Residence Requirement…

    • May 5, 2020

      An Ease on Restrictions for Foreign Medical Professionals Can Save Lives During the COVID-19 Crisis…

    • April 23, 2020

      President Trump Tries to Boost Economy, U.S. Labor Market With Immigration Suspension…

    • April 21, 2020

      What President Trump's Tweet to Suspend Immigration Could Mean for Businesses…

    • March 18, 2020

      What to Know as Coronavirus Puts Halt on Immigration Courts and Services…

    • March 12, 2020

      What the European Travel Ban Means for U.S. Citizens, Foreign Nationals…

    Recognition

    • Civil Law Award, Louisiana State Bar Association (2012)
    • Civil Law Award, Louisiana State Bar Association (2012)

    Education

    • Tulane University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2012
    • Tulane University, B.S.M., Legal Studies in Business, magna cum laude, 2009
    • Tulane University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2012
    • Tulane University, B.S.M., Legal Studies in Business, magna cum laude, 2009

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Spanish
    • Louisiana
    • Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Spanish

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Louisiana State Bar Association - Immigration Law Member Section
    • American Immigration Lawyers Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association - Immigration Law Member Section
    • American Immigration Lawyers Association
    • Overview
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    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Labor and Employment
    • Immigration
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