Tonight marks an exciting occasion – Happy Preseason Game Day for the WNBA!    We’re eagerly counting down the hours to watch the Chicago Sky take on the Minnesota Lynx, and the Indiana Fever (hello Caitlin Clark!) face off against the Dallas Wings.    Here at McEntee Law, we’re not just avid basketball fans; we’re also passionate supporters of women’s sports and international student athletes. Being based in one of the greatest sports cities in the U.S. – Chicago – adds an extra layer of excitement to the WNBA preseason.    Our excitement soared when Chicago Sky ..read more

Over the last week, about 600 people have been arrested at encampments or sit-ins related to the war in Gaza on at least 15 college campuses across the U.S. We’ve also heard reports that Columbia University has threatened to expel student protesters occupying an administration building.   At protests like these, non-citizens have some additional risks to consider that U.S. citizens do not. Law enforcement will likely be present and – even if you are following the law, any contact with law enforcement is a potential risk. Incidental interactions with law enforcement could lead to arrest, d ..read more

Stepping into Capitol Hill can be exhilarating and daunting, especially when it involves advocating for an issue as important as immigration. Recently, I had the privilege of participating in my first National Day of Action in Washington DC, where I joined the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a group of passionate immigration professionals working towards common sense immigration solutions.   Leading up to the trip to Washington DC, I was admittedly a little nervous and felt a great responsibility. I prepared talking points, familiarized myself with key legislative proposa ..read more

Introduction   An employment-based adjustment of status interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can a crucial step for foreign nationals seeking to obtain permanent residency (a green card). This interview is typically the final stage in the lengthy and complex process of becoming a lawful permanent resident. In employment-based cases interviews are generally waived, they will be scheduled If there are additional questions that USCIS would like to ask the foreign national. This often occurs if there are certain red flags that can trigger an interview ..read more

Are you looking into getting an O-1 visa as someone with extraordinary ability in your field? You may be wondering- how can I qualify for an O-1B visa?   Fiona McEntee, an experienced immigration attorney with over 16 years in the field, has some invaluable insights into navigating the O-1B visa criteria. Fiona also regularly speaks on the O-1 visa including leading panels and teaching other immigration lawyers about this option at our national bar association conferences (AILA).   The O-1B visa is for those with exceptional talents in arts, including creative fields, content cr ..read more

Are you looking into getting an O-1 visa as someone with extraordinary ability in your field? You may be wondering- how can I qualify for an O-1A visa?   Fiona McEntee, an experienced immigration attorney with over 16 years in the field, has some invaluable insights into navigating the O-1A visa criteria. Fiona also regularly speaks on the O-1 visa including leading panels and teaching other immigration lawyers about this option at our national bar association conferences (AILA).   The O-1A visa is for those with exceptional talents in business, science, education, and athletics, and ..read more

Coachella, Summerfest, South by Southwest, and Lollapalooza are some of the most-shared music festivals in the world, and they’re all based in the United States. Each year, these festivals put together top-tier line-ups, and that usually means importing talent. Like any type of employment, international musicians being contracted to play festivals need a visa. Though everyone’s situation is different, we see most our clients go with the P-1B visa. Read on for an overview of the what, the why, and the how!   What is the P-1B? P visas are a type of employment-based visa, meaning they are vi ..read more

The United States is undoubtedly the global center for poker. It has both the highest population of poker players and the highest number of casinos of any country in the world, making it a prime travel destination for fans of the card game. Many international poker players enter the United States on a tourism visa (the B-2 visa) or ESTA. Sometimes, though, someone entering the United States to play poker might require a type of employment-based visa called a P visa. When is a tourism visa enough, and when should you consider the P visa?   What is a P Visa? A P visa is, in the most general ..read more

We’ve recently been hearing a lot about Schedule A and some proposed changes, which could be great for many immigrants (or would-be immigrants) to the U.S. This blog post will explain what Schedule A is, what proposed changes are being discussed, and how this could benefit you.   What is Schedule A in U.S. Immigration? Schedule A jobs in the context of U.S. immigration refers to a specific category of jobs that the Department of Labor (DOL) has pre-certified as having a shortage of available, qualified, and willing U.S. workers.   The Benefits of Schedule A for Green Card Sponsorship ..read more

  Most people have a specific image in mind when I say I’m a lawyer. Suited up, arguing in court. Stacks of files on my desk with a shelf full of leatherbound law books behind me. Constant IV coffee drip to keep it all going. This isn’t totally inaccurate but we’re finding more balance in 2024! I’ve been a practicing attorney since 2018, and I work exclusively in immigration law. I’ve been with McEntee Law Group for almost three years. As a Chicago native, I’m grateful to be working in the city I love most but my clients are actually from all over. Every workday is truly different but her ..read more