About Prakash Khatri

Professional And Experienced Immigration Law Attorney

Prakash Khatri has been practicing law for more than 35 years. He is a nationally recognized expert on Immigration law and process. The primary focus of the practice is resolving complex post filing issues involving USCIS, CBP, ICE and the Department of State. He regularly represents individuals, companies and law firms on these issues.

From July 2003 until March 2008, Mr. Khatri was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States’ first Ombudsman for Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), a senior leadership position in the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. 

As CIS Ombudsman and a recognized expert on immigration matters, Mr. Khatri provided senior executive leadership, vision, and direction to policy makers in several cabinet-level agencies. An immigrant himself, Mr. Khatri was regularly consulted for advice by policymakers in the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Labor and Justice, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House on immigration-related matters.

During his nearly five years with the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Khatri developed and delivered numerous recommendations to the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for changes to the immigration benefits process. Mr. Khatri based his proposals on input collected from USCIS workers throughout the world, visits to U.S. border posts and airports, meetings with Homeland Security immigration officials, and consultations with thousands of individuals, Fortune 500 corporation and other employer representatives, lawyers, professional organizations and community-based organizations across the country.  

In his work on departmental immigration reform initiatives, Mr. Khatri devoted himself to identifying solutions that would improve the delivery of services to immigrants, eliminate wasteful processes, and enhance the security of the homeland.

Before being appointed Ombudsman by President Bush, Mr. Khatri managed the Immigration Compliance Department for Walt Disney World Co. in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. At Disney, Mr. Khatri managed a team of professionals that provided technical immigration advice to the Walt Disney World Resort as well as numerous other Walt Disney Company subsidiaries and affiliates.

Mr. Khatri provided Disney with both reactive and pro-active strategic planning for major events involving large numbers of international employees and guests. During the Millennium celebrations, Mr. Khatri coordinated the preparation of hundreds of entertainment-related visas for Walt Disney Entertainment employees and third-party groups. In addition, he visited more than 25 U.S. Consular posts around the world.

Before arriving at Disney, Mr. Khatri practiced law for 14 years, specializing in immigration issues.

“Strategic planning, focused attention, successful outcomes”

Committed To Your Happiness by Opening Your Pathways To Success.

History & Expertise

Law School

  • J.D., 1981 – 1983, Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport FL

Undergraduate School

  • B.A. Political Science , 1978 – 1981, Stetson University, DeLand, FL

Bar Admissions

  • Florida Bar
  • Maryland Bar
  • District of Columbia Bar

Court Admissions

  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • Maryland Court of Appeals and all lower courts
  • Florida Supreme Court and all lower courts
  • District of Columbia All Courts

Professional Associations

  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association

Noteworthy Leadership Positions Held

  • Appointed by President George W. Bush as the Nation’s first Citizenship & Immigration Services Ombudsman at the United States Department of Homeland Security. Directly reported to the Deputy Secretary of DHS. Served from 2003-2008
  • Walt Disney World Resort - Manager of Immigration Compliance - provided technical immigration advice to the entire Walt Disney World Resort as well as numerous other Walt Disney Company subsidiaries and affiliates on Immigration matters - 1998 -2002
  • Federal Bar Association, Life Fellow
  • American Bar Association, Life Fellow
  • Federal Bar Association, Washington, DC Chapter, Board of Directors, - 2009 to 2023
  • Federal Bar Association, Immigration Law Section, Board of Directors - 2012 to 2021
  • Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers - 2007 to 2014
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association -President of the Central Florida Chapter and also served on the National Board of Governors during this time
  • Asian-Pacific American Heritage Council of Central Florida, Inc. President - In this capacity, coordinated the activities of seven major Asian-American Associations, and was responsible for organizing various events, including numerous events involving local, state and national leaders. During my term, I was also invited to the White House in my capacity as a National Asian-American leader on three separate occasions during the Reagan and G.H. Bush Administrations
  • Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Board Certification Committee responsible for admitting new Board Certified Immigration lawyers. In this capacity, I wrote and graded Board Certification exams during my five year tenure from 1997 to 2002
  • State of Florida’s Employment Discrimination Outreach Program- responsibilities included making recommendations on dissemination of information on the law related to employment discrimination
  • Asian-American Breakfast Forum- a monthly meeting group that coordinated meetings between the local, State and National political leaders and the Asian- American community in Central Florida
  • Vice President/President-elect of Association of American Lawyers from the Indian Sub-Continent