Mercedes Badia-Tavas

M. Mercedes Badia-Tavas

Partner
Mercedes Badia-Tavas navigates the complex U.S. immigration system for Fortune 500 companies in multiple sectors including healthcare and finance, along with small businesses, nonprofits and individuals. With 30-plus years of exclusive immigration law experience, she guides clients through complex employment visas requirements, permanent residency applications processes, and government compliance needs with significant implications for companies and employees.

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.

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In immigration law, every case is a human story whether based on employment opportunities or family connections. My role is to translate them into compelling legal narratives that open doors."
Credentials

Education

  • Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1993
  • Agnes Scott College, B.A., Economics and Spanish, 1986

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
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