As a Cuban immigrant, Mercedes brings personal insight and cultural sensitivity to her practice. Her tenacity and commitment allow her to decipher sophisticated immigration issues effectively. She addresses client needs with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both employers and families. For companies, she enjoys developing comprehensive strategies for global mobility needs of personnel. to the U.S.
Mercedes facilitates entry visas and work permits for U.S. transferees to various countries. She prepares a wide range of employment-based immigration petitions, ranging from a variety of temporary visas in the “alphabet soup” of U.S. visas (B, E, F, H, L, O, P, Q, R) to PERM labor certification applications and NIW to EB-5 Investor applications. Before U.S. federal agencies, she represents clients with cases involving I-485 Adjustment of Status, consular processing abroad, and naturalization to become U.S. citizens. She helps clients navigate national interest exceptions to travel bans and oversees global immigration matters for foreign assignments.
In the arts and entrepreneurship sectors, Mercedes secures visas for Oscar-winning producers, champion athletes, world-renowned musicians and startup founders.
Professional and Community Involvement
Executive board member and past chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Chicago Chapter
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Congressional Advocacy
Member, Department of State and Customs and Border Protection government liaison committees
Member, American Bar Association International Section
Member, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
Member, UNO Metropolitan Leadership Institute of Chicago
Sponsor, Professional Women’s Club of Chicago (PWCC)
Member, Barnes & Thornburg Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Chicago Office
Member, Lake Forest College Board of Trustees, August, 2021
Honors
Chambers USA, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2025
Chicago's Notable Minority Lawyers, Crain's Chicago Business, 2018