Immigration

Overview 

Using our Six Sigma processes, our Immigration Practice Group helps clients employ top talent from around the world. Client service is our top priority. We are committed to a business model that provides clients with the following:

  • Unparalleled responsiveness
  • Direct access to lawyers
  • Efficient, top quality, results-driven case preparation
  • Strategic planning advice consistent with business needs 
  • Compliance-minded counseling
  • A cutting-edge case management tracking system
  • Secure online access to case status information
  • Timely updates on relevant developments

Our lawyers, experienced in all aspects of immigration law, represent Fortune 100 and Global 500 companies, as well as small businesses, new ventures, and nonprofit organizations, including hospitals and universities. The members of our group interact on a regular basis with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Labor (DOL), the State Department, and various U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, and provide advice concerning compliance with IRCA/I-9 Forms and export control issues. 

Our Services

Our firm provides a full range of immigration legal services. We regularly prepare submissions to all applicable government agencies and assist clients with employment eligibility verification and compliance. We handle: 

  • Non-immigrant petitions and applications, including those for B, H-1B, L-1, E-2, H-1B1, J-1, TN, E-3, O and P status 
  • EB-1 multinational manager/executive immigrant petitions
  • Applications for Labor Certification/ PERM applications 
  • EB-1 petitions for outstanding researchers and professors, as well as EB-1 extraordinary ability cases and EB-2 NIW cases 
  • Counseling on Immigration Reform and Control Act compliance, including I-9 and worksite enforcement and audit response applications for adjustment of status to permanent resident
  • Applications for adjustment of status to permanent resident
  • Assistance with consular processing

Our Team

Our team of immigration attorneys has successfully handled thousands of immigration cases, allowing employers in various industries to hire key talent. Four members of our group have secured Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Our lawyers have written extensively on employment and immigration topics in publications such as Business Immigration Law & Practice, Mobility magazine, and the Connecticut Law Tribune.  
 

    • Experience
      • Enabled biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions, and hospitals in the retention of valuable key scientists, researchers, chemists, professors, and physicians by obtaining both temporary and permanent immigration status.

      • Provided immigration training to human resources professionals, recruiters, executives and managers, business owners, and in-house counsel for a variety of clients and business organizations, including Fortune 100 and Global 500 companies, and one of the world's largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
      • Serving as Preferred U.S. Immigration Counsel for all business units of Raytheon Technologies Corporation operating in the United States.

      • Assisted Global 500 company in maintaining the work authorization of foreign national employees of a company targeted to be acquired.
      • Obtained waivers of the two-year home residency requirement through various state and CONRAD 30 programs for physicians, as well as other professionals in J-1 status through mechanisms such as the Interested Government Agency Waiver.
      • Counseled a Fortune 100 company with regard to DOL and USCIS requirements during the layoff of foreign national IT workers.
      • Counseled one of the 30 largest financial institutions in the United States with regard to post-acquisition I-9 compliance issues and provided guidance for self-audit.
      • Provided creative solutions in a slow economy for the retention of valued foreign national employees nearing the end of their authorized stays.
      • Represented Danish, Italian, German, British, French, and Canadian companies in E-2 registration and to bring employees to the United States under E treaty visas. 

    • News
      • March 22, 2023

        Josh Mirer and Megan Naughton Present on Employing Nonimmigrant Workers at CBIA Human Resources Conference

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      • October 27, 2022

        Jen Shanley Named Program Chair for Women in Manufacturing Connecticut

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      • October 6, 2022

        Lauren Sigg and Megan Naughton Author University Business Article on Hiring and Retaining International Talent

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      • August 15, 2022

        Megan Naughton Authors Construction Executive Article on Legal Immigration Options for Construction Companies

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      • September 20, 2021

        Jen Shanley Authors Industry Week Article on Hiring Foreign Nationals

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      • August 19, 2021

        65 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

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      • May 13, 2021

        Connecticut Law Tribune Honors Seven Robinson+Cole Lawyers During Connecticut Legal Awards

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      • March 4, 2021

        Jen Shanley Featured in United Way Women United Social Media Spotlight

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      • August 20, 2020

        61 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

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      • February 11, 2020

        Megan Naughton and Jen Shanley Author Article Published in Hedge Fund Law Report

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      • August 15, 2019

        57 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • October 5, 2018

        Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Mobility Magazine

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      • May 23, 2018

        Megan Naughton and Lauren Sigg Offer Insights on Foreign National Compliance Issues

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      • April 19, 2018

        Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Connecticut Lawyer

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      • February 6, 2018

        Josh Mirer, Megan Naughton, and Jen Shanley Author Article Published in Business New Haven E-News

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      • August 15, 2017

        Fifty-Nine Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

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      • May 5, 2017

        Immigration Group Lawyers Publish Article for Mobility Magazine

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      • August 15, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

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      • August 18, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016

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      • April 16, 2015

        Megan Naughton Joins Statewide Legal Services Board of Directors

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      • June 13, 2014

        Hartford Lawyers Promote AILA Immigration Contest

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      • November 20, 2013

        R&C Lawyers Write Article for Connecticut Law Tribune

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      • October 21, 2013

        Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

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      • August 27, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Provide Commentary in Law360

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      • April 10, 2013

        Megan Naughton Quoted in the Boston Globe

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      • December 13, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Earn Additional Honors for Pro Bono Work

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      • October 22, 2012

        Super Lawyers® Names 49 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2012 List and Recognizes 26 as Rising Stars

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      • April 5, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Elected to Board of Directors of the Village for Families & Children, Inc.

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      • March 5, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Immigration Attorneys Honored by Center for Children’s Advocacy

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      • November 12, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Announces New Partners

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    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Employing Nonimmigrant Workers: Creative Solutions for the Labor Shortage," co-presented by Megan R. Naughton and Joshua S. Mirer, as part of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) 2023 Human Resources Conference (3/21/2023)

      "Expanding the Civil Engineering Pipeline: Hiring non-U.S. Citizen Engineers and Students," co-presented by Megan R. Naughton and Lauren M. Sigg, sponsored by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (1/19/2023)
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      "Constructing a Successful Workforce: Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Engineers," co-authored by Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton, published in the December newsletter of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (December 2022)
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      "Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration Best Practices for Educational Institutions," during the Robinson+Cole-hosted webinar (8/9/2022)
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      "Immigration Strategies for Homecare and Hospice—State of the Market," co-presented by Leslie J. Levinson and Lauren M. Sigg, during the R+C-hosted program (7/27/2022)
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      "Giving Your Hire the Best Chance of H-1B Lottery Selection and Approval," co-presented by Nina B. Pelc-Faszcza and Megan R. Naughton (2/14/2022)
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      "Education Roundtable: Complying with Immigration and Export Control Regulations with International Students and Staff," co-presented by Kathleen M. Porter and Lauren M. Sigg, an R+C-hosted webinar (10/28/2021)
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      "H-1B and Beyond: What are the Options for Hiring Foreign Nationals?" authored by Jennifer L. Shanley, published in Industry Week (9/15/2021)
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      "The Trump Hangover: Takeaways and the Continuing Repercussions," presented by Lauren M. Sigg, to the Connecticut chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (1/21/2021)
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      "How Fund Managers May Increase the Likelihood That H 1B Sponsorship for Quants and Data Scientist Employees Will Be Approved," co-authored by Megan R. Naughton and Jennifer L. Shanley, published in Hedge Fund Law Report (2/6/2020)
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      "H1B Work Visas Under Attack," published in Business New Haven E-News, co-authored by Joshua S. Mirer, Megan R. Naughton and Jennifer L. Shanley (1/31/2018)
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      "Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know," published in Mobility Magazine, co-authored by Joshua S. Mirer and Jennifer L. Shanley (May 2017)
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      "New Requirements for Employers of STEM OPT Students – Seven Extra Months for Seven Extra Requirements" (7/27/2016)

      "H-1B Cap Reached — Lottery Initiated and Premium Processing Delayed" (4/7/2016)

      "H-1B Cap Reached – Lottery Initiated and Premium Processing Delayed" (4/8/2015)

      "President Obama Announces Executive Actions on Immigration" (11/21/2014)

      "New White House Proposed Rules Include Work Authorization for Certain H-4 Spouses" (5/8/14)

      "H-1B Cap Reached; Lottery Initiated and Premium Processing Delayed" (4/7/2014)

      "Impact of the U.S. Government Reopening and Other Immigration Updates" (10/21/2013)

      "Annual Diversity Visa Lottery is Open!" (10/10/2013)

      "Impact of the Government Shutdown on Immigration" (10/02/2013)

      "Automated I-94 Cards – Coming Soon" (03/28/2013)

      "USCIS Expects H1-B Cap to Be Reached Quickly" (03/18/2013)

      "USCIS Issues Revised I-9 Form" (03/11/2013)

      "Pending Green Card May Not Equate To “Legal Status”" (02/07/2013)

      "Innovation and Immigration Take Center Stage" (02/01/2013)

      "Education Law Legal Update" (11/01/2012)

      "Doctors Can Clear Immigration Hurdles," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, authored by Lauren M. Sigg (10/19/2012)

      "2014 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration" (09/25/2012)

      "Defense of Marriage Act Ruled Unconstitutional" (06/04/2012)

      "The Ever-Changing Definition of 'Special': New Interpretations Affect Companies Bringing Multinational Managers to U.S.," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, authored by Megan R. Naughton (10/31/2011)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (09/27/2011)

      "Immigration Legal Update - June 2011" (06/13/2011)

      "New Rule Updates Employment Eligibility Verification Process (I-9)" (04/21/2011)

      "New USCIS Form Certification Requirement" (12/10/2010)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (10/07/2010)

      "Immigration Legal Update - July 2010" (06/23/2010)

      "Immigration Legal Update - February 2010" (02/09/2010)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (11/09/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - September 2009" (09/03/2009)

      "Foreign-Born Workers Can Fall Into Gaps," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, authored by Megan R. Naughton (7/27/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - November 2008" (01/21/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - January 2009" (01/14/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - October 2008" (10/23/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - September 2008" (09/30/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - June 2008" (06/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - March 2008" (03/21/2008)

      "Immigration eNew - February 2008" (02/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNew - February 2008" (02/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - January 2008" (01/09/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - December 2007" (12/06/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - November 2007" (11/09/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - October 2007" (10/02/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - September 2007" (09/26/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - December 5, 2006" (01/02/2007)

      "Immigration Law Update: The Visa Lottery - October 6, 2006" (10/06/2006)

      "Immigration eNews January 25, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration Law Update: The Visa Lottery - October 4, 2005" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - Tax Withholding and Foreign Workers - March 15, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews February 16, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - June 23, 2006" (06/23/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - June 2, 2006" (06/02/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - May 23, 2006" (05/23/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - April 2006" (04/28/2006)

Our Team

Chairs

Members