Earl E Debrine III

Trey DeBrine is an experienced attorney focusing on employment-based immigration law. His current practice includes business non-immigrant visa options, such as H-1B, L-1, TN, and P-1 visas, as well as immigrant visas through PERM, Multinational Managers, Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and National Interest Waivers. Trey's concentrations include J-1 waivers for medical professionals through the Conrad 30, DHHS Interested Government Agency waivers, and no objection waivers. Apart from his employment-based practice, Trey also specializes in immigration options for families. While Trey is based in North Carolina, he represents clients throughout the country and individuals at consulates across the globe.

Trey has advised a wide range of clients throughout his career. He has represented Fortune 100 companies, school districts, medical facilities, mid-sized businesses, and small businesses with as little as one immigrant employee. He works with for-profit and nonprofit employers to navigate the complicated intricacies of the immigration system. Trey has directly advised human resources on immigration compliance and legal strategies for immigrant employees. Further, he specializes in complex business scenarios such as mergers and acquisitions, sales, new office openings, and third-party placement. Trey has also represented individual clients with family-based immigration, student opportunities, independent employment search options, and naturalization. He specializes in immigration options for employees in the medical, higher education, primary education, technology, engineering, and professional and amateur sports sectors.

Trey graduated in the top ten percent of his class from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Trey later received his J.D. from the Washington College of Law American University. During law school, Trey represented clients with the Immigrant Justice Clinic, served as the Immigrants' Rights Coalition Policy/Advocacy Committee Chair, and held positions with the American Bar Association and prominent immigration law firms.

In his free time Trey enjoys spending time with his husband, Matt, and their dog, Jack. You can usually find him on a hiking trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains or at a local brewery.

Recognition

Trey has been recognized in the 2026 and 2027 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his expertise in Immigration Law. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both the profession and the public – as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction.

Media Appearances

• "Attorney for Sivaraman Immigration Law Trey DeBrine discusses ICE arrests in North Carolina topping 5,000 in 2026" WPTF Afternoon News (2026).
• "ICE arrests in North Carolina top 5,000 in 2026 so far; leading to fear, anxiety, advocates say" by Jon Dowding, ABC 11 (2026).
• "Federal proposal sets a fee of $103,265 for certain H-1B petitions: What would this mean for North Carolina?" by Claudia Rivera Cotto, Enlace Latino NC (2026).
• "Cary teacher, a Green Card holder, detained by ICE" by Tom George, ABC11 (2026).
• "Concerns raised over Medicaid oversight provision affecting immigration status" by Tom George, ABC11 (2026).
• "N.C. Schools That Rely on International Teachers Brace for Visa Changes" by Heidi Perez-Moreno, Border Belt Independent (2026).
• "Legal status restored to NC international college students but fear lingers: ‘Damage is Done’" by Cindy Bae, ABC11 (2025).
• "5 of 6 UNC international students' have visa revocations overturned" by Tom George, ABC11 (2025).
• "UNC visa revocations raise concerns over free speech on campus" by Tom George, ABC11 (2025).
• "Teach-in aims to quell fears of deportation under Trump administration" by Sarah Katherine Dolezal, The Eagle (2017).

Policy Advocacy

Trey regularly advocates for immigration reform on Capitol Hill – engaging with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers – to advocate for pragmatic, bipartisan laws that address the real needs of both businesses and people. He has partnered with industry leaders, school districts, chambers of commerce, and small business owners who understand that a functional and predictable immigration system is essential to maintaining a competitive economy and a culturally diverse population. Trey has pushed for reforms that streamline legal pathways and provide clarity for employers, workers and families that shape immigration framework to align with not only our economic goals, but also our foundational values to treat all humans, regardless of nationality, as equal.