Biography
Benjamin Schatz is partner at Foster LLP in our Houston office. With nearly two decades of experience, Benjamin has represented individuals and businesses of all sizes in their immigrant and nonimmigrant processes. He has ample experience in a wide variety of immigration matters – from straightforward family-based processes to highly-complex situations involving novel immigration-related issues and federal litigation. This varied experience gives Benjamin the ability to develop effective immigration strategies for his clients and to drive them to conclusion. Currently, his practice is primarily focused on representing foreign national investors and entrepreneurs, as well as multinational corporations.
Benjamin graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and received both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to receiving his law degree and joining the firm, Benjamin gained valuable business experience as an auditor for one of the “Big Four” international accounting firms.
Benjamin has also represented both asylum-seekers and Special Immigrant Juveniles on a pro bono basis, and he previously coordinated the immigration program of a major San Antonio non-profit organization. He has also participated in numerous free legal clinics and naturalization workshops and has volunteered for immigration-focused call-in programs.
Benjamin is licensed to practice in the state of Texas and is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and State Bar of Texas. He is a frequent speaker on immigration-related topics.
Why Did You Decide To Become An Immigration Attorney?
I believe that one of the great strengths of the United States is the dynamism and diversity that comes from being a country comprised largely of immigrants. I decided to become an immigration attorney to help continue this country’s rich tradition of absorbing ideas, cultures, knowledge, and economic contributions from around the world. – Benjamin Schatz
Activities
- August 2024 – Served as a panelist for the “Recursos para Exportadores Mexicanos” forum for the World Trade Center at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León’s Café con Texas summit in Monterrey, Mexico.
- May 2024 – Served as a panelist for the “Cross-Border Business: Legal, Immigration, and Tax Strategies” forum for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s RGV Startup Week in Brownsville, Texas.
- March 2024 – Presented on “Nonimmigrant Visa Options” at the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s US-MX Trade Summit in Dallas, Texas.
- November 2023 – Co-presented on “Rutas para Trabajar y Estudiar en los Estados Unidos” in a Foster webinar.
- September 2023 – Co-presented on “The Intersection of Customs & Immigration Enforcement” at the Southern Border Conference in South Padre Island, Texas.
- September 2023 – Presented on “Immigration Updates” at the German American Chamber of Commerce’s Southwestern Business Conference in Houston, Texas.
- July 2023 – Presented on immigration options for Mexican businesses and investors in the Pharr Economic Development Corporation’s first Cumbre de Negocios in Monterrey, Mexico.
- May 2023 – Co-presented on “Immigration Travel Issues” in a Foster webinar.
- November 2022 – Co-presented an “Immigration 101” overview to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism.
- April 2022 – Co-presented on “PERM Labor Certification: A Refresher and Updates to the Good Faith Recruitment Process” in a Foster webinar.
- October 2021 – Presented in the “SelectUSA: Investment and Business Opportunities” webinar for SelectUSA – American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Chile.
- October, 2021 – Co-presented on “Travel Issues – Where in the World? How in the World? How Do I Get There?” in the 2021 Foster Fall Seminar.
- April, 2019 – Co-presented on “What’s Next for F-1 Students When the H-1B Lottery Is Over? – H-1B Cap Gap and Other F-1 Student Issues” in a Foster webinar.
- February, 2019 – Participated in the Texas Investment Summit that was sponsored by the State of Texas’s Mexico Office in Queretaro, Mexico.
- September, 2018 – Presented in an investor seminar hosted by Invierta en USA in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- June, 2018 – Presented in the “How to do business in the United States” forum with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Guadalajara, Mexico.
- June, 2018 – Represented the firm at the Africa Trade & Investment Global Summit (ATIGS) in Washington, D.C.
- February, 2018 – Served as panelist for the “Mexico-Texas Business Expansion” forum hosted by the State of Texas Mexico Office in Leon, Mexico.
- November, 2017 – Presented in a Passport to Success seminar hosted by Plan B Immigration Solution Services in Quito, Ecuador.
- July, 2017 – Presented on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program for a real estate developer in Panama City, Panama.
- March, 2017 – Presented on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program for an investment management firm in Beijing, China.
- May, 2016 – Presented on the basics of immigration law to the Houston Young Lawyers Association.