Reginald Pacis, Butzel Long Photo

Reginald A. Pacis focuses his practice exclusively on Immigration Law, bringing decades of experience to guiding individuals, businesses, and organizations through complex US and global immigration matters. He provides strategic, results-driven counsel tailored to each client’s needs—whether for business, employment, or personal immigration goals.

Overview

Mr. Pacis handles a variety of immigration matters including H-1B specialty occupation cases, L-1 Intracompany transfers, Labor Certification matters, Immigrant Visa Petitions/Adjustment of Status applications and interviews, Trade NAFTA (TN) Free trade cases, H-1B Department of Labor Investigations, I-9 employer verification compliance, and US Port of Entry airport and land port interviews.

A longtime advocate in the immigration community, Mr. Pacis has served in numerous leadership positions, including at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Samahang Pilipino Ng Oakland Filipino organization, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Michigan. He frequently serves as a presenter on topics pertinent to immigration for businesses and Hispanic and Filipino organizations. For several years, he presented at the Annual Butzel Immigration Seminar. Additionally, Mr. Pacis is a longstanding member of several bar associations, where he has also served in several leadership positions, including with the State Bar of Michigan and American Bar Association.

During his career, Mr. Pacis has been included on the lists of several well-respected legal publications as among the top immigration attorneys in Michigan and throughout the country. He maintains the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating.

Reginald A. Pacis is a Shareholder practicing in Butzel's Detroit office. He received his juris doctor from Detroit College of Law, n/k/a Michigan State University College of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.

Primary Practice Areas

Credentials

Education

Detroit College of Law - Michigan State University, J.D.

Michigan State University - James Madison College, B.A.

Admissions

  • Michigan

Memberships

  • Advisory Committee for Asian Pacific American Affairs
  • American Bar Association
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) - National Board of Governors – former Member; Michigan Chapter, former Chairperson, Secretary, Advocacy Committee Member; Michigan Chapter Membership Committee -former Chairperson; Michigan AILA Committee – former Chair, Vice Chair, and Member of committee responsible for liaison with the Michigan Customs and Border Protection Agency; Border Security Committee, former Member; United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Operations Liaison Committee – former Vice Chair and Member; National Committee - liaison with Customs and Border Protection (Division of US Department of Homeland Security presiding over inspections and security of the US border)
  • International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit – Member, Board of Directors
  • Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Michigan
  • Samahang Pilipino Ng Oakland Filipino organization
  • State Bar of Michigan - Immigration Law Section – Member, Board of Directors

Awards & Recognitions

Awards & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America® -  "Lawyer of the Year" - Immigration Law, 2013, 2023, 2025

The Best Lawyers in America® - Immigration Law, 2009-2025

DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit - Immigration Law, 2021-2025

Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Immigration, 2021-2025

Michigan Super Lawyers - Immigration: Business, 2011-2024

Leading Lawyers - Immigration Law: Employment; Immigration Law: Individual, 2021

National Federation of Filipino American Associations of Michigan - Award for Excellence in Law, October 6, 2007

Experience

  • Conducted in-house training on I-9 form compliance and retention, including electronic completion and storage of I-9 forms
  • Conducted internal audits of I-9 forms for clients
  • Represented clients in complex naturalization matters including restoration of U.S. citizenship, appeals for denied naturalization applications, and evaluate strategies for overcoming grounds of ineligibility.
  • Analyzed eligibility for naturalization through parents or grandparents and prepare necessary documentation
  • Represented employers during investigations conducted by USICE and USDOL regarding employment verification issues
  • Represented clients at Port of Entry to process admission to US under NAFTA
  • Obtained waivers of inadmissibility including waivers for entry into Canada for individuals who have DUIs/DWIs
  • Obtained permanent resident status pursuant to registry provisions based on residence in U.S. since January 1972
  • Managed multi-country projects and obtained work authorizations in multiple jurisdictions for individuals of various nationalities.
  • Represented employers during investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Labor regarding employment verification issues.
  • Consulted with clients regarding special permanent resident card interviews
  • Preparation of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-3 Trainee applications and petitions for employees of foreign companies with U.S. facilities
  • Represented clients seeking LPR status based on Cuban Adjustment Act
  • Assisted family members in obtaining appropriate fianc
  • Assisted employers in obtaining appropriate nonimmigrant classification (TN, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, P) and immigrant classification (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5).
  • Assisted with preservation of residency for naturalization purposes for individuals transferred overseas
  • Represented clients in obtaining visas at various US Embassies and Consulates abroad
  • Prepared J-1 waivers of 2 year foreign residency requirement based on no-objection letters, interested government agencies, hardship and other grounds
  • Provided preventative counseling on Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor investigations and employer sanctions.
  • Represented clients with applications of waiver of inadmissibility due to past legal history or immigration history.
  • Obtained removal of conditions on permanent residency
  • Obtained approval of Immigration Petition for Alien of Extraordinary Ability for various professionals including engineers, scientists, corporate executives, professional athletes, entertainers, coaches, and trainers.
  • Represented employers in USCIS administrative site visit
  • Evaluated retention of dual citizenship for U.S. and other countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, etc.
  • Analyzed effect of corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, on foreign national’s immigration status.
  • Advised employers regarding maintenance of employer/employee relationship when foreign national is placed offsite
  • Obtained re-entry permits to maintain permanent residence status in the United States for individuals transferred abroad
  • Obtained re-entry permit to maintain permanent residency for individuals transferred overseas
  • Represented employers in investigations conducted by the USDOL concerning H-1B Labor Condition Application public access file including benching and wage and hour issues.
  • Conducted in-house training regarding preparing and maintaining H-1B public access files and Labor Certification Applications

News & Events

News

Speaking Engagements

Alerts & Publications

Client Alerts

Publications

  • Publication, Winter/Spring 2009
    Changes Involving the Visa Waiver Program and the Michigan Driver's License Application Process, Michigan International Lawyer, a publication of the State Bar of Michigan
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