Experience

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  Congressional hispanic caucus institute

  Aug 2006 - Dec 2006

  Intern

  Assisted the Chief Operating Officer with administrative duties

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  Ayuda, inc.

  Jan 2007 - Apr 2007

  Immigration intern

  Assisted with adjustment of status cases, one-steps, domestic violence self petitions, human trafficking self petitions, and refugee/asylum cases

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  Bike and roll washington dc

  Jun 2008 - Jun 2012

  Tour guide

  • Lead three hour bike tours of 15-20 people around the National Mall, sharing in-depth historical and topical knowledge of the national memorials and monuments• Described tour options and respond to guest’s questions • Conducted individual coaching and training of new employees• Assisted in the booking, rescheduling and preparation of tours

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  Leavy, frank & delaney, llc

  Oct 2008 - May 2010

  Paralegal

  • Provided executive legal support for three attorneys specializing in self-petitions and non-immigrant petitions• Gained expertise in I-140 self-petitions, H-1B visas, adjustment of status applications, O-1 visas, & J-1 waivers• Prepared RFE responses on a variety of cases• Analyzed client’s professional achievements in order to develop a compelling case for their extraordinary ability, national interest waiver, or outstanding researcher petition• Managed J-1 Visa Waiver Conrad Program cases, corresponding with hiring managers in Michigan and Oregon Show less

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  Immigration law group, pc

  May 2010 - May 2011

  Legal assistant

  • Provided executive legal support for four attorneys specializing in family and business immigration law• Gained expertise in H1B visas, H1B1 visas, I-130 petitions, I-485 applications, I-140 petitions, K-1 visas, TN visas, O-1 visas, naturalization applications, FOIA requests, I-751 petitions, and I-90 applications• Collected and managed client information in online case management system• Prepared responses to USCIS RFEs and NOIDs

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  Hogan lovells

  Jul 2011 - Jul 2013

  Paralegal

  • Provided executive legal support to attorneys specializing in business immigration law• Gained expertise in H-1B visas, L-1A/L-1B visas, J-1 waivers, E-1/E-2 visas, E-3 visas, TN visas, PERM, I-751 petitions, re-entry permit applications, adjustment of status applications, and naturalization applications• Prepared and filed Outstanding Researcher and Multinational Manager/Executive I-140 petitions• Liaised with the Social Security Administration and Department of Motor Vehicles to resolve issues• Prepared DHS TRIP submissions to resolve travel delays for clients at customs• Assisted clients with document preparation for visa stamping, including review of Form DS-160• Prepared business and resident visa applications for U.S. citizens traveling to Spain, Qatar, Djibouti, and Chile• Obtained authentications from the Department of State and relevant consulate of federal and business documents• Prepared responses to USCIS RFEs and NOIDs Show less

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  University of illinois at chicago

  Aug 2013 - Jun 2019

  • Communicated with scholastic departments, human resources, labor unions, and governmental agencies to facilitate sponsorship for international scholars, while ensuring institutional compliance with federal and state regulations• Served as the point of contact for hiring managers in the College of Medicine and University of Illinois Hospital to facilitate and process sponsorship requests for medical residents, research scientists, professors, and physicians• Monitored regulatory updates and adjudication trends to remain in compliance with DOL & USCIS procedures• Led monthly Permanent Residency (PR) team meetings to discuss case issues and regulatory changes• Screened and assigned H-1B, O-1 and PR cases to coordinators for preparation• Lead training workshops on non-immigrant and immigrant visa sponsorship options to hiring managers• Continued responsibility for the coordinator tasks outlined below Show less • Prepared Outstanding Researcher/Professor & Physician National Interest Waiver petitions• Advised departments regarding EB-2 and EB-3 processes and prepare Labor Certs and I-140 petition filings• Collaborated with hiring managers to ensure timely I-9 re-verification• Prepared Conrad State 30 & Department of Health & Human Services waivers with the Center for Rural Health• Coordinated with hiring managers for questions regarding non-UIC sponsored international employees• Provided advice and assistance during FDNS administrative site visits• Utilized Case Management Systems to communicate with scholastic departments and scholars, complete USCIS forms, and track case progress• Prepared responses to USCIS RFEs and NOIDs and DOL audits• Updated and maintain office manual on policies and procedures regarding employment and scholar services• Assisted with the coordination of international student orientations and cultural events Show less

  • Assistant Director

    Feb 2017 - Jun 2019

  • International Services Coodinator

    Aug 2013 - Feb 2017
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  Thoughtworks

  Jun 2019 - Aug 2023

  Immigration specialist

  • Provided high-volume project management and administration of U.S. and global employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, work permits, intracompany transfers, and permanent residency applications• Created and maintained various databases and spreadsheets to spearhead company-wide efficiencies• Coordinated with candidates, employees, managers, and internal and external counsel, while tracking and maintaining current immigration data, documents, and statuses using electronic filing systems• Ensured compliance with immigration and employment laws and company policies and procedures• Conducted immigration research and consulted with internal and external counsel as needed to provide recommendations and guidance to employees and the business for intracompany mobility needs• Performed ongoing monitoring of monthly visa expiration reports for expiring work authorizations, ensuring timely I-9 updates and other employment re-verifications and visa/work permit extensions• Acted as the primary escalation point for inquiries regarding urgent travel demands, maintenance of status issues and all other emergency situations that may impact employees immigration status or the company as a whole• Administered and managed Permanent Residence processes and related PERM, I-140, and I-485 applications including timeline and cost discussions with managers, analysis of minimum job and prevailing wage requirements, and recruitment efforts• Maintained close relationships with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, employees and managers regarding immigration cases, requested case-related information as needed, and kept stakeholders apprised of case updates• Continually educated and provided guidance to employees and managers on immigration laws, costs, practices, and procedures, including conducting information sessions and coordinating kick-off calls Show less

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  Northwestern university

  Feb 2024 - now

  International scholar advisor

  ● Process petitions to U.S. government entities for the employment sponsorship and work authorization of international faculty and staff members in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, government regulations and University policies● Interpret regulations and provide guidance to HR representatives on immigration and visa regulations, including advising options on appropriate visa recommendation, petition filing strategies, and estimated timelines ● Liaise with University HR and departmental staff and international faculty to gather information and advise on other immigration related matters● Serve as point-of-contact for employment-based immigration questions for assigned colleges ● Ensure University sponsored employment visas, policies and practices are compliant with federal and state laws, regulation, and policies● Practice compliance consistently and equally while advising international faculty and staff and filing each case● Develop and provide training for departmental staff, faculty, and scholars in assigned colleges ● Stay abreast of current developments and trends in the international advising field and employment-based immigration ● Communicate government, regulatory, and other relevant updates to assigned colleges regularly ● Maintain internal record-keeping system to track history of individual cases● Liaise with outside counsel on employment-based immigrant petitions and requests for evidence Show less