Heather has extensive experience with a wide range of non-immigrant classifications, such as H-1B, H-2B, L-1, TN, J-1, E, O, and P, among others. She also is well-versed in issues relating to employment-based and merit-based petitions, including PERM labor certifications, multinational manager petitions, extraordinary ability and outstanding professor and researcher petitions, and national interest waivers. In addition, Heather has experience with family-based petitions, removal, and special immigration programs such as TPS and VAWA.
Heather’s corporate immigration experience spans a wide array of industries, including technology, athletics, manufacturing, construction, education and international trade. She has counseled large Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized companies and small business clients with immigration filings, consular and cross-border issues and compliance strategies. Heather also works with individual scholars and athletes filing self-petitions, such as extraordinary ability and national interest waiver cases. While the bulk of Heather’s professional experience has been gained in the corporate setting, she began her career in nonprofit, primarily assisting refugees, victims of human trafficking and other crime victims in obtaining status or permanent residency.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Kansas
B.A., Spanish Minor in History, 2004- with distinction
University of Houston Law Center
J.D., 2011Bar Admission
Spoken Languages
- Spanish
Acknowledgements
- Who’s Who Legal Corporate Immigration 2024, “Recommended,” 2024
- Best Lawyers in America®
- "Ones to Watch," Immigration, 2022-2025
- Texas Super Lawyers®
- "Rising Star," Immigration, 2020-2022
- Chambers USA: Americas Leading Lawyers for Business
- Individual Ranking Band 3, Immigration, 2020-2024
- Texas Immigration, 2019-2020, 2020-2024
- Individual Ranking Recognized Practitioner, Immigration, 2019-2023
- Fittest Lawyer in Dallas
- Fit Company, Influential Leader, 2014
Prominent Assignments
Represented and advised one of the world’s largest and most influential technology companies with immigration matters and oversaw the filing of applications/petitions with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Labor, and Department of State for one of its most important product areas.
Successfully won motions to reopen and appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office.
Routinely counsels and advises small and mid-size clients regarding the transfer of employees from abroad and hiring nonimmigrant students and workers within the United States, including navigating tricky compliance issues.
Represented a school district with a high PERM audit rate due to past compliance issues through several successful labor certification recruitment efforts.
Represented a non-profit in overcoming a motion of intent to revoke for an H-1B petition due to a referral from the Department of State, alleging post-review of a visa application that the employer had not met its required wage obligation.
Professional Involvement
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2012 – present
- AILA Texas Service Center Liaison Committee, 2015-2016
- AILA Department of Labor Liaison Committee, 2019-2020
Publications/Presentations
Presentations
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Panelist, "EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Advanced Topics-Avoiding Pitfalls and Solidifying Strategy," AILA South Florida Conference, Miami, Florida, February 2024
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Panelist, "Right on the Money: Wage Issues and Processing Updates," AILA Texas Chapter Spring Conference, Austin, Texas, March 2023
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Panelist, "PERM Labor Certification Updates," UT Law CLE, 46th Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law, September 2022
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Surviving the H-2B Obstacle Course (DOL, SWA, USCIS, and DOS),” AILA PERM/H-2B Practice Conference, Seattle, WA, August 18-19, 2017
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“Ls, Es, and the Multinational Manager,” AILA Texas Chapter Spring Conference, Austin, Texas, April 16, 2016
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“Are You a Government Contractor and Don’t Know It?” CLE Labor and Employment Workshop – Dallas, March 26, 2015
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“Immigration 101,” Dallas Area Paralegal Association Monthly Meeting, Presenter Heather Frayre, July 8, 2014
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“SB1070: A Debate,” SMU Dedman School of Law, Guest Debater Heather Frayre, November 1, 2011
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“Prosecutorial Discretion in Immigration Court,” UT Arlington, Panelist, Heather Frayre, September 1, 2011
Publications
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Author, "Employer Economics: Cost-Saving Strategies for Adjustment of Status Filings,” Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights & Issues Blog, September 2024
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Editor, “EV Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 7," Dickinson Wright EV Newsletter, September 2024
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Editor, “EV Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 6," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, June, 2024
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Editor, “EV Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 5," Dickinson Wright EV Newsletter, April 2024
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Editor, "EV Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 4," Dickinson Wright EV Newsletter, April 2024
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Editor, “EV Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 3," Dickinson Wright EV Newsletter, March 2024
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Author, "USCIS Fee Hikes Effective April 1 – 4 Key Takeaways for Employers,” Dickinson Wright Immigration Blog, February 2024
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Author, "3 Tips for a Successful National Interest Waiver Petition for the STEM Worker," Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues blog, September 2023
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Author, "USCIS Updates Guidance for "Compelling Circumstances" EADs - Key Takeaways and a Call for Reform,” Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, June 2023
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Author, "State Pay Transparency Laws: 5 Questions Employers Must Ask Before Starting a PERM Recruitment Campaign,” Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, March 2023
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Author, “EV Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 3," Dickinson Wright Newsletter, March 2023
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Author, "New Public Charge Questions Add More Challenges for Adjustment of Status Applicants," Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues, December 2022
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Author, “Attracting and Retaining Foreign Talent in STEM Fields – Overview of STEM Initiatives,” Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, August 2022
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Co-Author, "Overview of the Temporary Entry Provisions in Chapter 16 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement," American Immigration Lawyers Association USMCA Toolbox 2022 edition, April 2022
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Author, "Corporate Immigration Compliance: Dealing with Document Retention," Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, September 17, 2021
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Author “USCIS Issues New I-9 Guidance for Employees with DACA Work Authorization,” Dickinson Wright Immigration Insights and Issues Blog, May 2021
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"The Extraordinary Ability Challenge for the Athlete Turned Coach," October 2016, AILA Insight
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“Can a History of Extraordinary Athletic Ability Help Sports Coaches Work in the USA?,” September 21, 2016, LawInSport
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“K-S-Y And The Athlete-Turned-Coach Immigration Challenge,” August 17, 2016, Law 360 (republished in Benders Immigration Bulletin)