James Prappas has over 30 years experience representing businesses, families and individuals concerning employment-based immigration, family-based immigration and naturalization matters.
He regularly assists corporate clients to secure the best talent from around the globe to achieve business goals. As a Board-Certified specialist, James advises Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies in U.S. immigration matters relating to the energy, manufacturing and service industries. Clients value his attentive service and invaluable legal insights as he guides them through the process of strategic immigration planning and related transactional matters.
James has extensive experience in nonimmigrant visas, including B, E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H1B1, L, O, P, R and TN. He advises clients on the international transfer of key personnel, employment and family-based immigration, worksite enforcement and I-9 matters, naturalization and derivative citizenship.
He thoroughly evaluates each client’s situation to craft solutions that reflect their objectives. James applies his extensive knowledge and expertise to help clients navigate an increasingly complex world to achieve integrated business and immigration solutions.
Practice Areas
- Esports
- Immigration
- Labor & Employment
Credentials
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas (1986)
Education
- University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 1985
- Davidson College, A.B., with honors, 1980
Experience
- Successful E-1 applications for manufacturers and service providers and E-2 applications for real estate and agricultural investors to permit the growth and expansion of their U.S. businesses.
- Extensive track record filing E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor cases for start-up and existing entities.
- Expertise concerning individual L-1 and L-1 blanket petitions for start-up and existing businesses.
- Extensive experience concerning H-1B petitions and overcoming RFEs.
- Extensive experience counseling employers concerning E-verify matters.
- Significant expertise concerning O-1 visas for athletes, artists and business persons.
- Extensive background and experience concerning family-based immigration petitions.
- Substantial experience concerning derivative citizenship and complex naturalization petitions.
- Developing the strategy and implementing an integrated solution to permit businesses to obtain nonimmigrant visas and lawful permanent residence aka “green cards” for employees through EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 options.
Publications
- Law in the Workplace, "Top Five Year-End Immigration Planning Tips," December 2021
- Energy Law Today, "U.S. Immigration Outlook for the Remainder of 2020 - Top 10 Strategic Considerations," May 2020
- Energy Law Today, "Visa Strategies in the Trump Era and How to Attract and Retain Key Employees in the Oil Patch," August 2018
- “Obtaining Ancillary Benefits, ” Texas Bar CLE’s 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2015
- “Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas: Beyond the Basics,” 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2013
Presentations
- Panelist, American Immigration Lawyers Association Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma Chapter Spring Conference (Mexico City), "Plaza de las Tres Culturas: Square of the Big Three USMCA Panel: US, Canada & Mexico," April 2024.
- Speaker, American Bar Association, International Law Section, "Immigration and the Energy Sector: Strategies to Fill the Talent Gap and Create a Diverse and Dynamic Workforce - Nonimmigrant Visa Issues and Opportunities," February 27-March 1, 2024.
- Presentation to DEÏK/TAÏK (Istanbul, Turkey) - "Initial Legal Considerations When Establishing a Business in Texas," October 5, 2023.
- Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce (Kocaeli, Turkey) - "Initial Legal Considerations When Establishing a Business in Texas," October 2, 2023.
- KRCL Labor & Employment Seminar - Employment Law Legal Developments, Trends and Challenges. "Are Your I-9s in Order? Practice Tips for I-9 and E-verify Compliance," June 13, 2023.
- KRCL Labor & Employment Seminar - Employment Law Legal Developments, Trends and Challenges. "Are Your I-9s in Order? Practice Tips for I-9 and E-verify Compliance," May 10, 2023.
- State Bar of Texas, 21st Annual Advanced Immigration Law, E-1 Treaty Trader, E-2 Treaty Investor and EB-5s Research Tools and Available Information, February 2023
- Tri-National Webinar, Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, Colegio de Abogados - ANADE," Regulation of Investors in Mexico, USA and Canada," February 2022
- State Bar of Texas, 20th Annual Advanced Immigration Law, All About Es: The Nuts and Bolts of the E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor Visas, February 2022
- UT Law CLE - 2021 Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law, "Business NIV Solutions - Practical Timing Considerations to Maintain/Extend Status and Consular Processing," October 2021.
- American Immigration Lawyers Assn Online H-1B Course, “Post-Filing Issues: RFES and Consular Processing, October 2021.
- KRCL Webinar, U.S. Immigration Law Update: Changes During the Biden Administration's First 100 Days, April 2021
- "U.S. Immigration Law Update: Changes During the Biden Administration's First 100 Days," KRCL Energy & Transportation Webinar, April 2021
- Hijas de la MX webinars, “Immigration Changes,” February 2021
- Immigration 101 - Introduction to U.S. Immigration, Houston Trusts and Estates Club, April 2021
- "Strategy and Mechanics of Your Employment-Based Case," State Bar of Texas 19th Annual Advanced Immigration Law, February 2021
- "¿Cómo se puede migrar a los Estados Unidos LEGALMENTE?", YouTube Presentation for the Hijas de la MX USA, October 2020
- "U.S. Immigration Update and Impact of the Presidential Proclamations", British-American Business Council, July 2020
- "The Impact of COVID-19 Upon Travel and Visa Options Facing Cross Border Trade and Investment", U.S. Mexico Bar Association, June 2020
- "The Nuts and Bolts of U.S. Immigration Law and the Impact of COVID-19 Upon Travel and Visa Options Facing Cross-Border, High Het Worth Individuals", Houston Estate Forum, June 2020
- "U.S. Immigration Overview and the Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. Immigration", Pinsent Masons Immigration Team, May 2020
- "COVID-19 and Impact on U.S. Immigration", British-American Business Council, April 2020
- “The Reality of Zero-Tolerance: Adjudication,” 17th Annual Course on Advanced Immigration Law, February 2019
- “Recruiting Foreign-Trained Employed Physicians, NP/PAs, and Nurses,” 1st Annual HR Maximizer Member Conference, August 2018
- The Automotive Industry: NAFTA 2.0 & Labor and Immigration Matters (Panelist), 2nd Annual SWIICL – Mexico Workshop, March 2018
- "U.S. Immigration - Current Issues and Trends," U.S. Mexico Bar Association 2017 Conference, September 2017
- "Aspectos Fiscales en Migracion: Efecto Trump," Instituto de Contadores Públicos de Nuevo León A.C (ICPNL), August 2017
- “U.S. Immigration Compliance and Visa Issues Selective Overview,” Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law, February 2017
- Building Bridges for Business (Panelist), 22nd Annual US-Mexico Bar Conference, October 2016
- 14th Annual Course on Advanced Immigration Law (Moderator), State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section, February 2016
- “Overview of U.S. Immigration Law – Selected Issues and U.S. Real Estate Primer,” Keller Williams Realtors International Division, March 2015
- “Obtaining Ancillary Benefits,” Texas Bar CLE’s 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2015
- “Doing Business in Houston,” NOF Energy and British-American Business Council Houston, January 2015
- “U.S. Immigration and Tax—Opportunities and Pitfalls,” International Tax Forum of Houston, March 2014
- "Immigration 101," 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2014
- "International Taxation," Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, June 2013
- “Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas: Beyond the Basics,” 12th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course, February 2013
- Seminar Immigration Law, Rice University, October 2012
Honors
- Board Certified, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Immigration and Nationality Law (1993)
- Best Lawyers in America©, U.S. News & World Report (Immigration Law, 2011 - 2023)
- Ranked in Chambers USA Guide, Immigration – Texas (2015 - 2024)
- Super Lawyers, 2023
- Top Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine (2019)
Associations
- U.S. Mexico Bar Association (January 2024 - current)
- U.S. Chair
- U.S. Department of Commerce Houston District Export Council, Member
- British-American Business Council Houston, Board Member
- Japan America Society of Houston, Board Member
- Netherlands America Chamber of Commerce – Texas Chapter, Board Member (2011- 2018)
Community
- The Parish School - Board Member (2009- 2017); Vice President (2013-2017)
- Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, Honorary Legal Counsel
Languages
- Greek
- Spanish
Houston Office