Practice Areas
Immigration
Our firm handles all immigration cases, with deep experience in the most difficult matters.
Visa Applications & Extensions
- B-1 / B-2: Visitor Visa
- EB-1a / b: Extraordinary Ability / Outstanding Professors and Researchers
- EB-2: Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability / National Interest Waiver
- EB-3: Skilled Worker / Professionals
- EB-4: Religious Worker
- EB-5: Immigrant Investor
- F / M: Student — Academic, Vocational
- H-1B: Temporary Worker, Specialty Occupations, and Fashion Models
- I: Foreign Media, Press, and Radio
- L: Intracompany Transferees
- O: Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
- U: Victims of Criminal Activity
- T: Victims of Human Trafficking
Political Asylum
The United States provides protection to those who have suffered persecution, or who fear future persecution, on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
To apply, you file Form I-589 with supporting evidence, generally within one year of arrival to the United States. As of 2026, filing Form I-589 carries a $100 government fee, and an annual asylum fee ($102 for fiscal year 2026) applies for each year the application remains pending; no fee waivers are available. Fee amounts and form requirements change over time, so we will confirm the current figures for your case. Processing times vary widely and can be lengthy; the current timeline should be confirmed with an attorney. We strongly recommend working with an experienced immigration attorney to prepare your application.
If your asylum application is approved, you are permitted to remain and work in the United States. You may petition to bring your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, and you may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Card (green card) one year after your asylum approval.
Protected grounds
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Membership in a particular social group
- Political opinion
Family Reunification
- Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen
- F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents
- F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
Representation in Immigration Court
- Master / Individual Hearings
- Adjustment of Status in removal proceedings
- Reopen / Close case
- Change of Venue
- Recalendar
- Cancellation of Removal
Appeals & Deportation Defense
We represent clients in BIA and federal appeals and provide a full defense against deportation and removal.
Detention & Release After an ICE Arrest
If you or a family member has been arrested or detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), acting quickly matters. We represent detained noncitizens and their families and work to seek release while the immigration case proceeds.
Depending on a person’s immigration history and circumstances, release may be sought through a custody redetermination — a “bond” hearing — before an immigration judge under INA § 236(a), through parole, or, where a bond hearing is not available, through a petition for habeas corpus in federal court. Some individuals are subject to mandatory detention under INA § 236(c) and may not be eligible for a bond hearing; this is a fast-changing area of the law, and we will assess how it applies to your specific situation.
Eligibility for release, who carries the burden of proof, and the procedures available all depend on each person’s specific facts, and the law in this area is changing rapidly through new legislation and court decisions. No attorney can promise a particular outcome — but we will assess your situation honestly and pursue every avenue the law allows.
How we help detained clients
- Custody and bond hearings before the immigration court
- Requests for release on bond, parole, or conditions of supervision
- Challenges to prolonged or unlawful detention in federal court (habeas corpus)
- Locating a detained family member and explaining their options
- Defending against removal while a person remains in custody
If a loved one is detained by ICE
- 1
Locate and identify
We help confirm where the person is being held and under what legal authority, using the ICE detainee locator and the charging documents.
- 2
Assess eligibility for release
We review immigration and criminal history to determine whether release may be sought through a bond hearing, parole, or a federal habeas petition — and to identify any mandatory-detention issues.
- 3
Seek release
We prepare and present the strongest available case for release, supported by evidence of community ties and that the person is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community.
- 4
Defend the underlying case
While custody is addressed, we build the defense to removal so the case continues to move forward on its merits.
- 5
Review and appeal
If release or relief is denied, we evaluate appeals and further review in the immigration courts or federal court.
Frequently asked questions
A family member was just detained by ICE. What should we do first? +
Act quickly, and do not sign anything you do not fully understand. Try to note where the person is being held and contact an attorney as soon as possible — early steps can affect both the chance of release and the immigration case itself. We can help locate the person and explain the realistic options.
Can everyone detained by ICE ask to be released on bond? +
No. Whether a person can seek release — and through which procedure — depends on their immigration history and any criminal record. Some people are eligible for a bond hearing before an immigration judge; others are subject to mandatory detention. Because these rules are changing through new laws and court decisions, each case must be reviewed individually.
Is there a deadline to apply for asylum? +
Generally, an asylum application must be filed within one year of arrival in the United States, with limited exceptions. Filing late can bar the claim, so it is important to act promptly.
Is the first consultation free, and what should I bring? +
Yes — your first consultation is free. We review your situation, explain the realistic options and risks, and recommend next steps. Bring any immigration paperwork or court documents you have.
Can hiring a lawyer guarantee that I win or that my relative is released? +
No. No lawyer can guarantee a result. What we can do is assess your case honestly, prepare it thoroughly, and pursue every option the law allows. Be cautious of anyone who promises a guaranteed outcome.
Please note: we only take cases in New York State.