Pamela D. Nieto
Counsel
Houston
T 713.646.1372 | F 713.751.1717
pnieto@bakerlaw.com
Services
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Immigration
Admissions
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U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court, Northern
District of Texas
Texas
Education
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
J.D., University of Houston Law
Center, 1984
B.S., Texas A&M University, 1981,
cum laude
Pam Nieto's practice focuses on helping businesses of all sizes address
their immigration needs. Whether a company desires to transfer employees
from an office abroad, needs to hire foreign nationals to fill vacant positions,
is interested in obtaining work visas in connection with opening an office or
starting a new venture in the U.S., or seeks to assist foreign national
employees obtain their green cards, Pam advises clients of their options and
explains the requirements, issues, and processes involved. She also
provides training and assistance in setting up, improving, and auditing
compliance programs to meet various immigration-related requirements,
including those covering the I-9 employment verification process, utilizing EVerify, H-1B/ Labor Condition Application public access files, and PERM
application audit files. Pam serves as a resource to the due diligence review
process by assessing the impact a proposed action, such as a merger or
acquisition, might have on existing foreign national employees' authorization
to continue their employment. In addition, Pam handles citizenship-related
issues, working with clients interested in pursuing naturalization, as well as
others considering relinquishing their citizenship.
Experience
 Obtained Blanket L approval and E-2 company registration for U.S.
organization with multiple companies in U.S. and abroad in order to
facilitate transfer of employees. Allowed qualifying workers to apply for
L-1 or E-2 visas directly at U.S. consulates abroad, bypassing U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, thereby saving time and money.

Worked with healthcare organization that sought to hire a foreign
national physician willing to care for patients in underserved area.
Obtained waiver of physician's J-1 two-year home residency
requirement and H-1B visa classification approval to authorize doctor's
employment.

Conducted I-9 audit and provided employee verification to firm client's
human resources employees after client became aware of increase in
Form I-9 inspections being conducted by government, as well as
increase in immigration-related discrimination actions being pursued
against employers.

Counseled client in connection with planned trips to U.S. by foreign
national employees of overseas affiliate. Advised on types of activities
that would be permitted to be carried out by individuals while in U.S. on
business visitor status and activities that would require actual work
visas. Assisted client in preparing necessary letters to support business
visits.
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Provided guidance to firm client on U.S. citizenship renunciation in order
to advance business ventures. Advised on immigration rules and
potential ramifications that renunciation could cause.
Memberships
 American Immigration Lawyers Association
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State Bar of Texas: Immigration and Nationality Law Section
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Houston Bar Association

American Bar Association: Immigration and Naturalization Committee

Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Houston
Chapter:
o
o
o
Board Member (2006 to 2012)
V.P. of Legal Affairs (2006 to 2008, 2011)
Treasurer (2009 to 2012)
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Texas Aggie Bar Association
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College of the State Bar of Texas
Pro Bono
 Assisted mother in being appointed legal guardian of her disabled adult
child after hospitalization experience in which hospital personnel were
not authorized to share information with her.
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Participated in the Houston Bar Association's Will-A-Thon by preparing
simple wills and medical directives for low-income senior citizens in the
Houston area.