A former employee filed a putative class action against Wells Fargo & Co. in California, alleging that the bank violated ERISA by refusing to renew H-1B visas in order to avoid paying severance benefits. See Karamsetty v. Wells Fargo & Co., 3:12-cv-01364 (N.D. Calif. March 20, 2012). The plaintiff alleges that, following its merger with Wachovia Bank NA, Wells Fargo violated ERISA by instituting a company-wide policy prohibiting renewal of employees' H-1B visas, and then refusing to pay severance benefits because departures resulting from the expiration of immigration status were not covered by the severance benefits plan. The plaintiff seeks class certification, the payment of benefits, prejudgment interest, and counsel fees.