Immigration

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Today, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the administration’s decision to terminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Court considered three cases: Dept. of Homeland v. Regents Univ. CA (18-587), Trump, President of U.S. v. NAAP (18-588) and McAleenan Sec. of Homeland v. Vidal (18-589). It has been our firm stance to fight for our Dreamers—because #WeAreAllDreamers and #HomeIsHere. We are proud to stand alongside incredible allies in this fight, including AILA National member, Faye Kolly, who provided us an overview of all the factors that the Court will likely consider in today’s hearing.  According a post-hearing report from The New York Times, the conservative justices on the court appeared…
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Written by Fiona McEntee I just learned that it’s Pro Bono Week this week. As a practicing immigration lawyer for almost 12 years, pro bono is part of my regular workload. Almost since the moment this Administration took office, my pro bono workload has dramatically increased. It started from Day 1 of the Travel Ban when I, along with my brother and colleague, Ray, were one of the first attorneys at O’Hare and I turned into the ad hoc media representative for the newly formed O’Hare Airport Attorneys. A lot of people don’t realize that our work in relation to…
It was reported that hours before passing on October 17th, US Congressman and Oversight & Reform Committee Chairman, Elijah Cummings, had signed two subpoenas from his hospital bed that were directed at two US immigration agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Services (ICE). He will be laid to rest as the first African American to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol’s Sanctuary Hall. Everyone at McEntee Law mourns over the loss of one of the greatest champions for human rights this country has had. His life-long service and unwavering dedication to social justice…
As many of you know, the Presidential campaigns have been in full swing. Given the Trump Administration’s repeated implementation of anti-immigrant policies, it’s no surprise that immigration has become an extremely hot topic in the primary debates. But in the midst of all these debates, it’s become onerous to sift through the many candidates that have decided to embrace various immigration policies in their platforms. Fiona McEntee, national spokesperson for the American Immigration Lawyer Association, was published on AILA’s ThinkImmigration national blog where she provided her insight on immigration in the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election and specifically discussed AILA’s…
National Voter Registration Day signals the approach of midterm elections. In TV ads and the earnest voices of clipboard-holding volunteers on street corners, we are constantly being urged to register to vote and are bombarded with messages about how critical it is to exercise one of the most fundamental and sacred duties of being an American citizen. Indeed, the consequences of this election are enormous – in today’s climate, one seat can change the political landscape. But if you are not an American citizen, if you are a lawful permanent resident, green card holder, or temporary visa holder, the consequences…
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We Oppose These Raids: As a law firm both founded by immigrants and located in Chicago, Illinois, a declared welcoming city, McEntee Law strongly opposes the Administration’s decision to conduct these cruel and unnecessary raids which have already caused undue burden and irreparable harm to our communities everywhere. We stand with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker and the rest of the city of Chicago in denouncing yet another anti-immigrant decision coming from this Administration. Who Might Be At Risk? As far as we know, these raid will be targeted and the likely targets are people with final deportation orders or…
NOS OPONEMOS A ESTAS REDADAS (“RAIDS”) Como firma de abogados fundado por inmigrantes y ubicado en Chicago, Illinois, una ciudad declarada acogedora a todos, McEntee Law se opone firmemente a la decisión de la Administración de llevar a cabo estas incursiones crueles e innecesarias que ya han causado daño indebida e irreparable contra nuestras comunidades en todas partes. Estamos con la alcaldesa Lori Lightfoot, el gobernador Pritzker y el resto de la ciudad de Chicago en la denuncia de otra decisión anti-inmigrante que viene de esta Administración. ¿QUIÉN ESTA EN RIESGO? Por lo que sabemos, estas redadas serán enfocadas contra…
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At McEntee Law, when we file visa applications for bands, we submit hundreds of pages of carefully curated evidence. Meanwhile, bands must pay hundreds of dollars in government filing fees – and then there’s the waiting. On top of all the other logistics involved in planning a U.S. tour, the visa application process can definitely feel daunting. Last week, the U.S. government added yet another obstacle for artists with approved visa applications which requires applicants to disclose all social media handles the applicants have ever used in the last five years prior to their approval for entry. This can feel…
In today’s heated climate (both figuratively and literally), it has become all too easy for positive stories to be drowned out by the ongoing cycle of breaking news (unfortunately also figuratively and literally).  This week, amidst ongoing media discussions on potential new immigration policy proposals by the Trump administration, the House Judiciary Committee voted on three major pieces of legislation that stand to protect millions living in the U.S.  The Dream Act (H.R. 2820), sponsored by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), would grant over 3 million “Dreamers” brought to the U.S. as minor children a pathway to citizenship, provided they…
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We came. We saw. We advocated. It mattered. Last month, our Managing Attorney, Fiona McEntee, and 500 other fierce immigration lawyers, returned to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to take part in the American Immigration Lawyers Association National Day of Action (AILA NDA). One specific issue addressed “was the tremendous increase in USCIS processing times and getting Congress involved in oversight of the agency. From FY2017 to FY2018, while the overall case receipts were down 13%, there was a massive 19% increase in processing times.” Not only did Fiona and her colleagues share these startling statistics, they “were able to…
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 McEntee Law Group applauds Congress’ bipartisan bill to extend E-3 visas to Irish nationals. We are closely monitoring the bill as the US House of Representatives prepares to vote and we are very excited for the incredible opportunities this proposal would offer to eligible Irish nationals and US companies alike. On April 30th, Congressman Richard Neal introduced the E-3 visa bill (H.R. 2418) to the House of Representatives, and the proposal requires unanimous approval from the House and Senate in order to reach President Trump’s desk for signature. We are encouraged by the bipartisan support the bill has already garnered,…
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At McEntee Law, we regularly prepare E-2 visa applications for investors and business owners from E-treaty countries around the world – from restauranteurs to startup technology entrepreneurs.  As of May 1, 2019, Israel will finally join the list of treaty countries making the much-anticipated E-2 visas available to Israeli nationals. President Obama originally signed legislation that added Israel to the list of countries eligible for E-2 treaty investor status in June 2011. However, since that time, there was a standstill in proceeding with E-2 visa issuance. Thankfully, due a recent bilateral agreement, that impasse has been resolved.  The E-2 visa…
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At McEntee Law, we frequently prepare and file O-1 and EB-1 green card cases on behalf of extraordinary clients in various industries and specialties. Our clients include the creative director of an award-winning Irish clothing line, a world class event producer, a music tech entrepreneur, an innovative green roof technology expert, a leading professional sports executive, an incredible fine artist, and a top business executive of a life-saving technology company. Extraordinary ability cases are a niche practice area within immigration. When you’re looking for an immigration attorney, it’s critical that you pick a firm with experience in this particular arena.…
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A group of 13 migrant farmworkers, represented by the Legal Aid of North Carolina Farmworker Unit, won a $75,000 civil settlement against farm labor contractors. The farmworkers alleged that the contractors enticed them to come to the U.S., promising them well-paying work and a better life, only to pay below the minimum wage and publicly threaten one worker who requested his wages. According to the complaint, these contractors failed to provide workers’ compensation, kept their Social Security cards, and prevented them from obtaining medical care. While the contractors still deny any liability, they have agreed to the settlements amount and…
 Congratulations!  Your H-1B case has officially been filed. Your case will arrive at the USCIS Office on April 5th, 2019, the last day of the H-1B “cap” for the 2020 Fiscal Year.  We know this process can be nerve-wracking, especially in today’s climate. As a law firm founded by immigrants, we truly understand and sympathize with the inevitable anxieties during this waiting period. Rest assured, you are our first point of contact and will be notified immediately should we receive any update on your case. If you have not heard from our offices, it is only because there has been…
We are all so immensely proud of our Law Clerks – Caro and Alex – who not only devoted a week of their Winter Break volunteering at the family immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas, but they were also published in the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Blog – Think Immigration. “Our group met with hundreds of women at different stages of their asylum process. Some had just arrived from the perreras and hieleras, processing facilities where they were first detained and subjected to inhumane treatment. Some were separated from their adult children and needed help locating them to link their cases. Some had…

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