Important Updates
Important Updates
April 30, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
May 1, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Stays Termination of Yemen TPS
May 1, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: Summer 2026 Travel Considerations for Foreign Nationals
April 30, 2026 | Hong Kong SARHong Kong SAR: Earlier Extension Filing Announced
April 30, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: New Password Rule Could Delay Applications if Email Addresses are Invalid or Inaccessible
April 30, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
May 1, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Stays Termination of Yemen TPS
May 1, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: Summer 2026 Travel Considerations for Foreign Nationals
April 30, 2026 | Hong Kong SARHong Kong SAR: Earlier Extension Filing Announced
April 30, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: New Password Rule Could Delay Applications if Email Addresses are Invalid or Inaccessible
April 30, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
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cynthia-l.-shearn

Partner

Cynthia Shearn

cynthia-l.-shearn
cynthia-l.-shearn
  • People

Partner

Cynthia Shearn

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

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With nearly 30 years of dedicated immigration law experience, Cindy understands the positive impact listening can have on both clients and colleagues alike. Using this skill, she strikes the delicate balance of helping clients achieve their business goals while successfully creating and organizing their effective immigration programs, representing multinational corporate clients in a range of industries, including management and technology consulting, logistics and supply chain, transportation, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Since being appointed Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Midwest practice at the beginning of 2023, Cindy has also taken on a managerial role in overseeing both the region’s practice and client relationships—successfully listening to and advocating for her colleagues and employees. In each of these capacities—both as an immigration lawyer and as a people manager—Cindy serves as a trusted advisor and true partner by recognizing that it is her responsibility to understand their needs and provide the space to communicate them.

Cindy has always been innately focused on helping others—in fact, this focus is what propelled her into a career in immigration law. As an international relations major in college, she knew she was interested in human rights and global issues. During her first year of law school, she was granted an opportunity to blend these passions by helping an individual and her family with an asylum application. She filed the application, attended their interviews and eventually celebrated when they were granted asylum—realizing she found her calling to pursue a career an immigration law.

Passionate about inclusivity, Cindy previously served as Chair and currently serves as Co-Chair of Fragomen’s U.S./Canada DEI Group, helping to lead its expansion across the entire region. She is an active Fragomen and community volunteer, including through her pro bono work conducting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and naturalization clinics and providing services to immigrant families at the detention center in Dilley, Texas. She also is a founding member of Nexus49, a Canada-U.S. business council in Chicago, and serves as a board member of the British-American Business Council’s Chicago Chapter.

Passionate about inclusivity, Cindy previously served as Chair and currently serves as Co-Chair of Fragomen’s U.S./Canada DEI Group, helping to lead its expansion across the entire region. She is an active Fragomen and community volunteer, including through her pro bono work conducting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and naturalization clinics and providing services to immigrant families at the detention center in Dilley, Texas. She also is a founding member of Nexus49, a Canada-U.S. business council in Chicago, and serves as a board member of the British-American Business Council’s Chicago Chapter.

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1996
  • Boston University, B.A., 1991

More from Cynthia

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Illinois

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Chambers USA, 2024 to 2025

Listed in The American Lawyers’ Midwest Trailblazers, 2022

Listed among Crain’s 2026 Notable Women in Law

Listed among Crain’s 2020 Notable Women Executives Over 50

Phi Beta Kappa, 1991

Harold C. Case Scholar, 1991

Professional accomplishments

Founding Member, Nexus49

Member, Board of Directors for the British-American Business Council, Chicago

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chicago Chapter

Member, Chicago Bar Association

Experience

Manages high volume U.S. immigration practice for global consulting, technology and outsourcing company to facilitate the transfer of professional employees from around the world to the United States.

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration Policy.” Fragomen, Webinar, 5 August 2025.

Speaker, “Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to Know.” Fragomen, Webinar, 16 July 2025.

Speaker, “Navigating Automotive Industry Headwinds: Impacts on Global Immigration Strategies.” Fragomen, Webinar, 4 February 2025.

Speaker, immigration related topics during conferences presented by the Council for Global Immigration and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Speaker, “Has The Mobility Industry Opened Pandora's Suitcase? Part II - Business Travel Immigration Compliance.” Minnesota Employee Relocation Council, St. Paul, Minnesota, 13 July 2021.

Featured, “People on the Move.” Crain's Chicago Business, 5 August 2019.

Featured, “Shearn takes reigns of Fragomen office in Chicago.” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 1 August 2019.

“Off the “Fast” Track? The Effect of Corporate Downsizing on Labor Certification Strategy and Procedure,” 4th Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium Conference Handbook, 2001.

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Share

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Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 312 499 2818

F:+1 312 346 1970

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Cynthia’s insights

August 5, 2025 | Meeting

Humanitarian Pathways & Workforce Strategy: Adapting to Evolving U.S. Immigration PolicyRead more

July 16, 2025 | Webinar

Navigating the Path to U.S. Citizenship: What You Need to KnowRead more

June 6, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Ranked in Chambers USA 2025Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

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The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

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The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

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Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

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Learn more

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Learn more

Video

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Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.

Learn more

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Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

Work authorization

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Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.

Learn more

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Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.

Learn more

Fragomen news

European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium Report: Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."

Learn more

Work authorization

From Investment to EU Residence: Why Italy’s Investor Visa is Gaining Momentum

Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.

Learn more

Work authorization

The UK Global Talent Visa as a Flexible Residence Option for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Senior Manager Alexander Hood and Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outline how the UK Global Talent visa is increasingly being used by internationally mobile individuals as a flexible UK residence option, examining who the route is designed for, the endorsement process and the sectors currently covered, including the new design route launching in July 2026.

Learn more

Work authorization

Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme: Is the “Golden Visa” Route Now Closed?

Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.

Learn more

Video

May 2026 Visa Bulletin | #MobilityMinute

Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.

Learn more

Awards

Citywealth Leaders List: Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 Recognises Four Fragomen Professionals

Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealth’s Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.

Learn more

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