As North Texas gears up to host FIFA World Cup matches, a significant part of the preparation is taking place behind the scenes, thanks to the efforts of a local immigration firm. Gabriel Castro and his team at BAL, a corporate immigration law firm based in North Texas, have been instrumental in finalizing immigration matters for FIFA workers and companies involved in the tournament.

The firm has successfully secured work visas and other necessary immigration paperwork for more than 1,200 employees traveling to the United States for the World Cup. These individuals play vital roles in ensuring the smooth operation of the tournament, from setting up technology for the video assistant referee to supporting refereeing teams, trainers, medical staff, and chefs.

Castro emphasized the extensive coordination required for organizing a global event like the World Cup, stating, “It takes truly an army from these organizers to put on an event like this, and we were helping them from day one.” Beyond securing visas, BAL also assists clients in navigating immigration challenges before and after their arrival in the United States.

One notable challenge involves personnel from Iran, who face slower processing times and additional complications due to U.S. immigration policies. Despite being a relatively small team, BAL draws on resources from 13 offices nationwide to ensure FIFA workers and affiliated companies can arrive in time for the tournament.

For Castro, this work is deeply personal, inspired by his family’s own immigration story. His father’s journey to start a small business and achieve the American dream motivated Castro to help others do the same. As the tournament approaches, Castro looks forward to witnessing the fruits of his team’s labor, expressing pride in their contributions to this global event.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.