IN THE PROFESSION

From Athletes to Automobiles – How Foreign Investment, Immigration, and Global Mobility Shape Atlanta’ s Economy and Diversity

TERI A. SIMMONS Arnall Golden Gregory LLP teri. simmons @ agg. com

When Mayor Andrew Young declared Atlanta an“ international city” in the 1980s, people laughed at him. But his vision soon became reality. In 1990, the International Olympic Committee awarded the 1996 Olympic Games to the capital of Georgia – and put Atlanta on the map. My firm served as co-counsel to the Games, and I, then a young associate, handled immigration matters for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games( ACOG). The Committee learned quickly that there was no preferential treatment for the participants – like any other U. S. employer, ACOG would be required to petition for visas for all foreign nationals who were critical to the Games and who would support its operations: systems engineers who implemented proprietary games systems, international broadcasting crews, urban games planning professionals, security personnel, translators and interpreters, artists who showcased their skills at the“ Cultural Olympiad” surrounding the Games, and, of course, the athletes. At that time, we always found a legal way to petition for – and obtain- the necessary visas. We would not find a way today.

20 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024