Sarah A. Iyer

Sarah Iyer works with U.S. and multinational companies to navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law and optimize their ability to attract and retain foreign national talent. In addition to advising clients on a wide range of nonimmigrant visa and employment-based lawful permanent residence matters, Sarah provides proactive counseling on immigration and employment eligibility verification compliance, including I-9 and E-Verify processes, represents employers in I-9 audits and related inspection and audit proceedings, assists clients with conducting I-9 self-audits and setting up internal compliance programs and policies, conducts buy- and sell-side due diligence of employment eligibility verification and immigration compliance issues in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions, and advises clients on avoiding immigration-related discrimination during the hiring process, including pre-hire immigration inquiries and export compliance assessments. 

Sarah also frequently speaks and provides training to clients on immigration topics, including nonimmigrant visas, PERM labor certification processes, I-9 and E-Verify compliance, and ICE and immigration enforcement preparedness planning. Sarah works with clients across a wide range of industries, including the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, engineering, medical device, and management consulting sectors, as well as with private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. Sarah is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and serves on the AILA National Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee as well as on various committees for the AILA Chicago Chapter. 

Practice Areas

Prior Experience

• School of the New York Times, Adjunct Instructor (2020 – 2022)
• Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., Associate, 2014-2016
• Karam Law, Attorney, 2012-2014; Law Clerk, 2010-2012

Education

Admissions

Awards

Listed in Chambers USA, 2025

• Recognized as an ‘Up and Coming’ attorney in Immigration in Michigan; clients state:
  • "Sarah's thoroughness and attention to detail is top notch."
  • "Sarah is very knowledgeable about complex immigration matters and has a great talent for explaining them."

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee (2023 – Present)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, National New Members Division Liaison Committee (2021 – 2023)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chicago Chapter (2014 – Present) (Various Committees)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter (2012-2014) (Various Committees)

Press Releases

Events

• National Association of Women Lawyers’ – I-9 Compliance (March 2025)
• IL SHRM State Conference – ICE on the Radar: Braving the Storm with Key Strategies for Immigration Compliance Preparedness (April 2025)
• IL SHRM Webinar: I-9 and Worksite Enforcement Preparedness Planning (April 2025)
• AILA Fall Conference and Webcast, Unpacking Recent BALCA Trends (September 2024)

Alerts