At McEntee Law Group, summer is more than just a season of warmth and sunshine; it’s a season of growth and learning, especially as we welcome new interns into our fold. We deeply cherish the fresh perspectives and boundless energy they bring, considering it a privilege to guide the next generation of legal minds through the intricacies of immigration law. Our passion lies not just in practicing law, but in fostering a legacy of knowledge and compassion, inspiring more individuals to champion the cause of immigration and immigration reform. As we celebrate this annual tradition, we are excited to hand over the reins of this blog post to Shanshan, our summer intern, to shed light on her key takeaways as an immigration law intern.
Where it all Started
My interest in immigration law was ignited by my own experiences. My immigration path started when I moved to the United States as an international student years ago. At that time, I had no idea what an H-1B was. Students in my school, like me, who arrived in the United States and wanted to work and live here had no immigration-related knowledge. All we knew was that we had to apply for optional practical training (OPT), and when OPT ended, we had to leave the country as soon as possible. This limited information was what we international students obtained from our school’s international students’ office seminars. Sometimes, individual students’ situations became complicated. Even the international students’ office had no clear answer, which left the students who desperately needed assistance in the dark.
After 10 years of living in the United States using different types of visas, I am finally on the right track with my immigration status. Remembering all my years and detours in the immigration field, I hoped to attain professional guidance while I was still an international student. I knew for sure that I was not the only person who came from a foreign country and tried hard to live in the United States for a better life.
During my studies at a journalism school, I interviewed first-generation immigrants living in New York City. I have spoken to restaurant owners from a small village who traveled across Mexico’s desert to come to the United States. They explained that they wanted their daughters to live in New York with them and attend private schools. I also talked to several LGBTQ international students who decided to stay in the United States rather than in their home countries after graduation. They planned to apply for work visas because they wanted to live in a free country. I could tell that everyone I talked to worked hard for a better life in a different country.
I want to use what I learned at law school and in real-world training to help people like them and like me. Working at McEntee Law Group this summer is a great opportunity because I can finally do what I have wanted to do for years. Our partner and the founder of the firm, Fiona McEntee, is an immigrant. She published a book called Our American Dream to tell the stories of immigrants in this country and to explain the importance of immigrants to this country. It is a great pleasure to work with attorneys who share my values and goals.
Before my internship at McEntee Law Group, I knew that I wanted to practice immigration law as my future career. At that time, immigration law seemed to be a broad concept. I am interested in H-1B cases; however, before joining the firm, I did not know that H-1B cap cases are only a portion of H-1B cases. There are still transfer and amendment cases under H-1B.
Different types of cases require different types of documentation. Attorneys and paralegals must carefully and diligently review clients’ documentation. Immigration cases are sometimes detail-driven, which means attorneys carry a great many responsibilities. A minor mistake could cause a huge change in a client’s life plan. During my internship, I witnessed how attorneys and paralegals communicate with clients from the initial stage of a case and the strengths and work they put into each case until the approval notice arrives. Because of the diverse types of petitions, attorneys and paralegals ensure that each supporting document is ready in each client’s application file.
Becoming an Intern
On the first day of this internship, our operations manager helped me set up software programs to collaborate and communicate with co-workers in the firm. The first thing I do in the morning is check messages in Slack to see if an attorney or paralegal has sent me a work task. Subsequently, I visit LollyLaw to see if there is an active task or a previously unfinished task. LollyLaw is beneficial because I can check how many unfinished tasks I have, as well as the upcoming due dates of the tasks. LollyLaw makes it easier for me to prioritize my work schedule.
As I learned from the attorneys, tracking important dates is key to immigration law practice. Besides these two platforms, I must check Outlook to determine whether there is an upcoming meeting or consultation I must attend. During my interview for this internship, the attorneys who interviewed me said the firm was very organized in its work. I found this to be true when I started working on cases. The firm keeps documents and clients’ information under its case type in a timely order. Whenever a document is needed for a client’s application, attorneys and paralegals know where to find it. This saves time and makes the firm’s work efficient.
Key Takeaways
Preparation for a single immigration case requires patience and hard work. However, once a case is approved by the USCIS, the fulfillment is tremendous, regardless of whether the case concerns business immigration, work, or asylum. It is a great pleasure to intern at the firm to have the opportunity to work in immigration and share the happiness of each client.
Written By: Shanshan Wu, Summer Intern at McEntee Law Group
Our summer interns play a crucial role in our daily operations and our long-term vision. Shanshan’s insights from her time here underline the value of fresh perspectives. We’re proud to introduce young professionals to immigration law and appreciate the energy they bring. As this summer wraps up, we want to extend our gratitude to all interns and look forward to continuing our tradition of hands-on learning in the coming years.
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