Recently, Gunster’s Jorge Zamora and Maria Romero authored an article published by the Jacksonville Business Journal, offering essential guidance for Northeast Florida employers facing increased immigration enforcement. The article explains the differences between surprise workplace raids and formal I-9 audits, and stresses the importance of distinguishing judicial warrants from administrative ones. It outlines key steps for compliance, such as creating an ICE Rapid Response Plan, training staff, and conducting internal audits. The authors also highlight Florida’s mandatory E-Verify requirements for private employers with 25 or more employees and the FDLE’s role in statewide audits. Staying proactive helps employers avoid costly fines, criminal liability, and operational shutdowns.
Jorge Zamora provides comprehensive counsel to industry-leading companies on all aspects of employment and labor law, from day-to-day advisory services, regulatory compliance and risk mitigation to immigration, health and safety, government advocacy and dispute resolution. Additionally, he brings experience in handling commercial matters, which complements his labor and employment practice. Following years of representing management as outside counsel—including practicing at one of the largest boutique labor and employment firms—Jorge spent over five years as in-house counsel to one of the world’s biggest producers of ornamental plants, managing a wide array of legal issues.
Maria Romero focuses her practice on employment-based immigration matters. She has assisted individuals, small businesses and multinational corporations across numerous industries, including healthcare, technology, telecommunications, hospitality, engineering, energy and oil and gas. Maria has experience preparing employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions, as well as family-based visa petitions. She strives to work as a team player with clients in order to support them to fulfill their immigration goals.
