Dana Rifai

Dana Rifai
Partner
rifai@bcclegal.com
t. (219) 769-1313 x147
f. (219) 769-6806
Merrillville Office
9191 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
Directions
Languages
English
Arabic
French
Biography
Dana Rifai is trained in estate planning, probate, business law and immigration law. When the 2008 recession hit, she initiated the firm’s immigration practice, focusing on employment, business and family immigration matters. She has been successful in assisting many clients with their immigration petitions. She is a member of the firm’s Business Practice Group and is passionate about each one of her practice areas counseling her clients one-on-one to achieve their legal needs.
Dana grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. At Indiana University Purdue University, she received an honors academic scholarship. She received her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.
Dana takes pleasure in being an active member of her community. She has been a curator of TedxCountyLineRoad. She currently serves as a board member for the Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, where she is chair of the governance committee and sits on the executive committee. She was a board member of HealthLinc, a federally qualified healthcare center. Now she is a board member of Avicenna Academy, her children’s school. She proudly serves on the Service League of Northwest Indiana, a group of local women raising money annually to give 100% of their fundraised dollars back into the community. She is a council member of the Northwest Indiana Regional Opportunities Council.
She is a 2011 graduate of the Valparaiso Chamber Leadership Academy and a graduate of the 2012 FBI Citizens’ Academy. Dana was recognized as Up and Coming Influential Woman of the Year in the law in 2013. In 2016, she was named one of the “20 under 40” in business by the Northwest Indiana Times Media Group.
Dana was invited to be the 2017 Winter Commencement Speaker at Valparaiso University.
Practices
- Immigration
- Business Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
Education
Valparaiso University Law School, 2007
Juris Doctor
Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2004
B.A. English Literature
Minor in French
Minor in Political Science
Admissions
- Indiana Bar
- Illinois Bar
- Northern District of Indiana
- Southern District of Indiana
- United States Immigration Court
Articles by Dana Rifai
The Newest Sweeping Suspension on Immigration
While immigration suspensions seemed to be a temporary salve against the COVID-19 outbreak, much longer suspensions became effective with President Trump’s newest proclamation issued on June 22, 2020. The entry of certain employment-based nonimmigrants seeking...
Change in H-1B cap-subject work visa application procedure
https://www.facebook.com/bcclegal/videos/713904845804206/?v=713904845804206 Hi Friends, I’m here to tune you in to a change in the cap-subject H-1B work visa application procedure. Rather than opening the H-1B application pool on April 1st, USCIS has now implemented a...
News Alert: H-1B Electronic Registration Requirement & Lottery Selection Alteration
On January 31, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule: revising how cap-subject H-1B petitions are selected in the random lottery by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); andimplementing an electronic registration...
H-1B Cap Season Considering Change in Policy on F-1 Unlawful Presence
The change in policy on determination of unlawful presence for foreign students will have an impact on the H-1B cap season. The August 9, 2018 USCIS Policy Memorandum results in the accrual of unlawful presence depending on the date of the status violation....
Change in Accrual of Unlawful Presence for F, J, and M Nonimmigrants
Effective August 9, 2018 Effective August 9, 2018, USCIS will change its policy on the determination of unlawful presence for foreign students, vocational students and exchange visitors who were admitted or are present in the United States for duration of status....
The I-9 Completion Guide
The I-9 form is of common use to the human resources professional, and although it may seem deceivingly simple, it is easy to improperly complete the form resulting in a violation to the employer. This article provides simple tips to ensure proper and thorough...