by Matthew Krayton | Mar 17, 2016 | All Chapters, Blog, News
On St. Patrick’s Day, communities across the globe come together to celebrate Irish culture. Whether it’s watching a parade, enjoying Irish music or dance, raising a pint or enjoying real Irish cooking, today is a day everyone truly can be Irish! To all Irish, Irish American and ‘friends’ of Ireland, we wish you a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Mar 14, 2016 | Blog, News, Press Releases
INUSA Welcomes IN Michigan
Irish Network USA is proud to announce that the Michigan Irish American Chamber of Commerce (MIACC) will now join in their efforts of connecting the Global Irish across the USA through business, culture, education and sport. MIACC will now be known as Irish Network Michigan (IN Michigan) and will be INUSA’s 21st chapter.
“Irish Network USA and The Michigan Irish American Chamber of Commerce (MIACC) already have a shared mission of offering our members tangible ways to ‘invest’ in Ireland,” stated Steve Lenox, President, Irish Network USA. “We are glad that the Board of MIACC has agreed to raise our banner and to give their members an opportunity to network with Irish, Irish Americans and ‘friends’ of Ireland across the US, and beyond.”
The Michigan Irish American Chamber of Commerce (MIACC) began almost four years ago with Irish American business and legal leaders within Metro Detroit with the intent to bring a forum for businesses within the Irish community. The chamber has evolved from a local networking group to an influential statewide Irish American business organization while advancing the culture, education and civic welfare of our state who are of Irish descent. MIACC is a member of the Council of Ethnic Chambers, a unique collaboration amongst many Michigan ethnic chambers which pools enormous economic resources to foster regional growth for the state’s economy and global exports and imports.
“I believe MIACC joining the Irish Network USA further expands our reach within the US and abroad to Ireland for the benefit of our members and our state’s economy. We are excited to partner with the other 20 chapters across the US for the benefit of over 3000 united members represented with Irish Network USA.” Dave O’Connor, MBA – President, IN Michigan.
“We’re delighted to see the Michigan Irish American Chamber of Commerce (MIACC) join Irish Network USA as IN- Michigan,” stated Orla McBreen, Irish Consul General. “The Irish Network has been going from strength to strength across the United States and has been an integral part of our efforts to engage with Irish and Irish Americans across the US. I’m very pleased as Ireland’s 21st Consul General to Chicago and the Midwest to welcome IN Michigan as the 21st member of IN USA.”
Irish Network USA is the national umbrella organization integrating the Irish Networks that exist in various cities across the United States. The mission of INUSA is to bolster business opportunities and economic development between the United States and Ireland, to support and encourage Irish Arts and Culture through film, literature, theater, dance, and language; to encourage and promote Irish sports through the States; to support the efforts of local Irish organizations and associations; and to serve as a conduit between newly arrived Irish immigrants and their communities in member cities and states.
Steve Lenox, President, Irish Network USA, 973-715-7330
Dave O’Connor, President, MBA, 231-590-0003
by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Mar 1, 2016 | Blog, News, Press Releases
20th Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia, will integrate the US Southeast with community of Irish,
Irish Americans and ‘friends’ of Ireland across US.
(Atlanta, Georgia) – Irish Network USA is set to officially launch its 20th chapter on March 5, 2016, with an event for Irish Network Atlanta at The Druid Hills Golf Club. Ticket includes a Black Tie Ball at Druid Hills Golf Club with dinner and entertainment, followed by a VIP afterparty at Ri Ra Irish Pub – Atlanta for the Conor McGregor World Title fight.
“Irish Network Atlanta brings new energy, perspective and talent to Atlanta’s Irish community,” stated Shane Stephens, Consul General of Ireland, Atlanta. “I believe it can play a strategic role in further integrating our family of Irish organizations and facilitating collective action. I look forward to attending the network’s formal launch on March 5th and collaborating with it on a range of upcoming projects.”
“The launch of Irish Network Atlanta is another significant step forward for Irish Network USA, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with them” stated Steve Lenox, President, Irish Network USA. “Their committed approach to coordinating efforts with already existing and successful organizations in their area, the support they have received from their local Consulate, first under Paul Gleeson and now under Shane Stephens, and the strategic importance of Atlanta as a foothold into the US Southeast in efforts to engage the Global Irish to ‘invest’ in Ireland, combine the ingredients for a perfect recipe of success for future growth and success! ”
Irish Network Atlanta will work within the framework of Irish Network USA to bolster business opportunities and economic development between the United States and Ireland, to support and encourage Irish Arts and Culture through film, literature, theater, dance, and language; to encourage and promote Irish sports through the States; to support the efforts of local Irish organizations and associations; and to serve as a conduit between newly arrived Irish immigrants and their communities in member cities and states.
Board member, Brian Boland is “delighted to be finally launching Irish Network Atlanta after 18 months of careful planning, which involved meeting and forming alliances with other Irish groups in the city, traveling to meet other networks across the U.S., and exploring strategies to engage the younger Irish diaspora. We feel it’s a great time to be launching here in Atlanta, and I am honored to bring together a fantastic new board to start the latest chapter of Irish Network USA in our great city, which can hopefully form a platform for other networks across the Southeast. ”
To purchase tickets for this event Click here
by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Feb 11, 2016 | Blog
Irish Network USA has members across the country with a range of experience relevant to the Global Irish.
We are proud to share this overview of the H1-b visa application process from Chicago member Fiona McEntee Website here.
As you may know, the H-1B “cap” filing period is rapidly approaching. The H-1B visa is an extremely sought-after option for professional-level foreign national employees. If you are considering filing an H-1B case this year, there are some crucial deadlines to keep in mind.
In this brief overview to the H-1B visa, the McEntee Law Group aims to outline some of the basic concepts, timelines and requirements that will be relevant to you in the coming months.
The McEntee Law Group is an established practice that specializes in immigration law. Fiona McEntee and Raymond McEntee are both from Dublin originally; Fiona is a U.S. attorney and Raymond is both a U.S. attorney and an Irish/UK qualified solicitor.
While we are based in Chicago, as immigration law is federal, we can and do represent clients all throughout the U.S. Additionally, the McEntee Law Group has expanded its practice to include a satellite office in Dublin to help serve our European and worldwide client base.
H-1B Visa: Requirements & Overview
The H-1B visa is used for “professional” level employees or “specialty occupations”.
- A speciality occupation position is one that requires at least a Bachelor’s degree in a specific field or its equivalent in experience.
- The individual must be qualified for the position meaning that he or she must have the requisite educational or work experience required.
- An individual in H-1B status must be paid at least the prevailing wage which is determined by the following: the job title and requirements; the location of the position; and, the number of hours per week.
- The employer does not have to guarantee that they will employ the individual for the duration of the H-1B visa i.e. up to 3 years initially.
- The employer must simply offer the job and pay the agreed wage – it is free to terminate the individual at any time.
- The H-1B visa is limited to 6 years in duration – this period can be extended if the green card process has been started for the individual.
H-1B: Cap
H-1Bs are limited or “capped” in number each fiscal year – less than 65,000 with an additional 20,000 reserved for those with U.S. Master’s degrees or higher. This is referred to as the H-1B cap.
- The H-1B “cap” opens on April 1st annually.
- The fiscal year starts on October 1st and, while a case can be filed up to 6 months prior to that date, employment may not begin until the start of the fiscal year.
- In terms of the cap numbers, in previous years all H-1B numbers were used up in the first week April 1st-5th and there was a random lottery conducted (1 in 3 or 4 chance of selection) to determine which cases would be adjudicated.
- Thus, all H-1B cap cases must be filed the first week of April 2016.
- It generally takes us at least a month, or two, to prepare an H-1B case for filing as there are pre-filing requirements and certifications that must be completed.
- Ideally, we would start working on an H-1B cap case no later than early or mid February.
- If the H-1B case is not selected in the cap, the filing fees will be returned.
- As the case has been fully prepared, attorney fees are non-refundable however we would be happy to offer you a complimentary consultation to discuss what other options may be available.
- The H-1B cap is typically only applicable to those who have not held H-1B status in the past 6 years. If an individual is currently in H-1B status, he or she can generally transfer that H-1B to another employer at any time.
Conclusion:
The H-1B visa is extremely sought after for many reasons including its extended duration, dual intent (being allowed to pursue a green card) and transferability. Thus, it’s a great option for qualified candidates.
We have already started working on some of our H-1B cap cases for April 2016. If you think that this could be a good option for you or for a prospective or current employee, please contact us immediately so we can get the ball rolling. Remember, this opportunity only comes around once a year so the time to act is now!
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact McEntee Law Group at directly info@mcenteelaw.com for legal advice specific to your situation.
by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Jan 6, 2016 | All Chapters
One of the central missions of Irish Network USA, and perhaps the one we get the most pleasure out of, is connecting our members in their shared efforts to ‘invest’ in Ireland through business, music, education, and sports.
That’s why we are very excited about this joint initiative of INUSA members Tara O’Grady (Irish Network NYC) and Niall Leogue (Irish Network DC).
Already boasting a following clear across the US, it has been pleasure to help arrange opportunities for Tara to perform for our chapters in Austin, New Jersey, and New Orleans, and we have a feeling there’ll be more!
Niall Leogue is a Board member of Irish Network DC, and as the owner of Caddie Tours based in Vienna, Virginia, is responsible for many, many happy visitors to every corner of Ireland!
Now they have teamed up and organized the first ever Tara O’Grady 2016 Failte Music Tour of Ireland. From October 24- November 1 guests will tour Ireland from top to bottom, starting in Donegal where she spent every summer growing up as a child, visiting castles and craftshops, listening to storytellers at sessions with traditional Irish musicians and driving down the Wild Atlantic Way experiencing the most breathtaking ocean views in Europe. Tara and her Black Velvet Band will perform in stops along the way, including in Galway, Cork, during the world famous Cork Guinness Jazz Festival, and Dublin, celebrating Halloween where the holiday began.
For a complete itinerary, prices, or to book your spots on this very special tour email Niall today!
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Tara O’Grady
