Best Immigration Lawyers in New York
Harlan York
Immigration Lawyers
A four-time winner of “Immigration Lawyer of the Year” from Best Lawyers, Harlan York is the former immigration chair of the NJ State Bar Association and former co-chair for the NY State Bar Association CFLS Committee on Immigration. He formerly served on the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Practice Management Committee.
Mr. York has appeared on CBS This Morning and Univision’s Primer Impacto. He has also spoken out about a myriad of immigration issues on Telemundo, NBC, Bloomberg Law, and PBS.
In his twenty-five years exclusively practicing immigration law, Mr. York notes among his most memorable cases:
- Arguing that immigrants with crimes should be allowed to remain in the U.S. upon proving rehabilitation and hardship to their American spouses and children
- Countless successful appeals before federal and administrative courts on issues regarding waivers of removal and political asylum
- Preparing applications for companies sponsoring immigrants in industries ranging from restaurants to construction to agriculture, to academic institutions and research labs
- Representation of high-level athletes, artists, and entertainers, including winners of Emmys, Grammys, and Olympic Medals
- Winning deportation cases for immigrants whose children have special needs
- Assisting victims of violence who suffered at the hands of both foreign and domestic aggressors
SVETLANA PRIZANT, ESQ.
Immigration Lawyers
Svetlana Prizant, Esq., is the Managing Attorney of the firm and has personal experience in the immigration and naturalization process as an immigrant herself. Svetlana Prizant, Esq., was honored with a Super Lawyer Award of 2021 and 2020 and designated as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in the field of Immigration Law. In 2019, she was named one of the ten best attorneys in immigration law by The Legal Practice Magazine. In 2018 she was one of the Top Forty Under Forty Honorees by the American Society of Legal Advocates and received the client satisfaction award by the American Legal Counsel Institute.
Using legal experience combined with an understanding of the immigrant communities Mrs. Prizant represents, she has repeatedly obtained extraordinary results for her clients. Mrs. Prizant began her practice with the sole intent of providing one-to-one service to all her clients. Her interest in immigration law stems from her personal background as well as her belief in the essential role immigrants play and the positive contributions they make to American society. Having immigrated to the United States she has experienced first-hand all phases of the immigration and naturalization process.
Michael Sullivan
Immigration Lawyers
I am a business and immigration lawyer representing clients throughout the US and worldwide.
My immigration practice focuses on investor and employment-based immigration, particularly EB-5 Investors and E-2 Treaty Investors, H-1B Specialty Workers, and L-1 Intracompany Transferees.
My business practice focuses on advising entrepreneurs, small, and medium sized businesses in formation and governance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and financing, including venture capital.
I represent startups and established organizations in connection with visa sponsorship for foreign employees and immigration compliance, including Form I-9 and E-Verify. I have extensive experience with the employment-based permanent residence process, including PERM Labor Certifications, EB-2 National Interest Waivers, and EB-1 petitions for Multinational Managers and Individuals of Extraordinary Ability, including academics, researchers, scientists, artists, and athletes. I also help unite families through marriage, fiancé and other family-based petitions. I have developed a niche in representing educational institutions, including primary schools and colleges.
I regularly advise on cross-border transactions and represent foreign companies seeking to enter the US market. I advise on import and export compliance and help obtain relief for alleged customs law violations. I am fascinated by blockchain technology and represent blockchain startups and cryptocurrency investors.
Leon Wildes
Immigration Lawyers
Leon Wildes, the founder of the firm, serves as Senior Partner. Holding J.D. and LL.M. degrees from the New York University School of Law, he was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, where he taught immigration law for more than 30 years. He regularly publishes scholarly articles in the field and lectures widely to both immigration lawyers and lawyers in general practice, and has practiced in the field for over sixty years. A recognized authority in his field, he served as National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and has testified before the United States Congress as an expert in immigration matters. Awarded the Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to the field of Immigration Law, he is best known for his successful representation of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono in deportation proceedings spanning a five year period.
Leon Wildes’ represention of John Lennon and Yoko Ono; HIAS Cover Story on John Lennon Case; Leon Wildes appears in film “The U.S. vs John Lennon”; Article “Lennon Law: How Leon Wildes helped John Lennon stay in the city he loved” appearing in New York Superlawyers 2009.
Yaniv Lavy
Immigration Lawyers
Yaniv Lavy began his practice in the United States over ten years ago after earning his law degree from the University of East London. He graduated with honors, in his studies taking classes in areas such as criminal law and public international law. These he put to use as an immigration lawyer in New York, a common place of passage for immigrants entering the US. Because of his extensive experience in business and language skills, speaking Hebrew and English, Attorney Lavy quickly proved to be an asset to the New York law firm.
From there he went on to start his own practice, Lavy Law Associates, P.C., where he served again as an immigration lawyer. He also expanded his clientele by becoming a criminal defense lawyer. In 2003, Attorney Lavy became a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2004. In 2006, Lavy merged his firm with the Law Office of Michael Feiner, creating Feiner & Lavy, P.C. Since then, he has served as the principal attorney, upholding the traditions that Feiner started 30 years ago. Attorney Lavy not only has experience in immigration cases, but also provides individual attention to every case so that he can better know how to win your case. To read how he has done this, check out what our clients had to say about Attorney Lavy and their experiences in their testimonials.
ADA B. POZO
Immigration Lawyers
Ada B. Pozo is a Miami immigration attorney at Pozo Goldstein, LLP. A former Miami-Dade County court judge, Ms. Pozo has presided over thousands of civil and criminal cases during her career, and is familiar with how crime impacts families and the community. She has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a mentor judge, and was chosen to educate and assist judges new to the bench.
For the last decade, Ms. Pozo has concentrated her practice on complex immigration matters. She has successfully represented countless individuals in removal proceedings and before USCIS. She has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since retiring from the judiciary. She was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the South Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for two years. Ms. Pozo has lectured at conferences hosted by The Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) and Catholic Charities on a variety of immigration law matters.
Miami and NY immigration lawyer, Ms. Pozo also served as a trial lawyer with the Miami Dade County Public Defenders office. In this capacity, she litigated cases involving all sorts of criminal charges, including armed robbery, drug possession, DUI, murder, and capital sexual battery. Approximately 35 to 40 percent of these cases involved Hispanic defendants. In addition, she has experience as a Miami-Dade County Forensic Social Worker.
Miami and NY immigration lawyer, Ms. Pozo was the host of ACCESO LEGAL, a Sirius XM radio show. On her show, she addressed a variety of legal topics in an informative and engaging style backed by more than a decade of well-rounded legal experience. She has appeared as a legal analyst on a number of radio and television programs, including ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Fox News’ “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” and Univision’s “Aqui y Ahora,” “Al Punto,” and “Despierta America.”
Douglas M. Lightman
Immigration Lawyers
The award-winning Lightman Law Firm was founded by Douglas M. Lightman, Esq. Mr. Lightman has extensive experience in immigration law and international matters through both work and personal experience.
Prior to forming Lightman Law Firm, Mr. Lightman spent several years at an international tax consulting and compliance firm where he focused on international tax consulting and cross border transactions.
In this role, Mr. Lightman worked with individuals and businesses from all over the world in navigating complex international tax issues, United States immigration matters, and cross border transactions.
Mr. Lightman is a United States trained lawyer who received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School and is a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of New York and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (www.aila.org), the world’s largest organization of immigration lawyers.
Sharon Khunkhun, Esq.
Immigration Lawyers
My parents immigrated from India to England (UK) in the late 60’s, shortly after they got married, and England is where I was born. In 1989, we immigrated to the US—Queens County to be specific! Due to the reckless and negligent representation of a US immigration attorney, my family and I suffered the bleakest years of our lives. Needless to say, I know what it is like to be at the mercy of a heartless immigration attorney and the US immigration system. Fortune shined upon us 7 years later when I won the Green Card lottery as I was a UK born national and I was able to get my Green Card. I then had the GREATEST PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE to sponsor my parents for their Green Cards when I became a US Citizen.
Over the course of more than 22 years, Sharon Khunkhun has dedicated her practice to representing a multitude of interests as a Court Attorney for a NYC Judge, litigator with one of the top law firms in NY, and then opening up her own practice as an immigration lawyer as she was repeatedly asked to represent immigrants in her community. Did you know that Sharon also sat and passed the Bar Exam for the US Patent and Trademark Office the first time she sat for it which is one of the most difficult bar exams in the US?
Secure Your Path to U.S. Citizenship with Top New York Immigration Lawyers
The complexities of U.S. immigration law can be daunting for anyone navigating the process. Partnering with a skilled New York immigration lawyer can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. Here’s why top-tier immigration attorneys are essential for your U.S. immigration journey:
Demystifying Complex Immigration Law:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship) regulations are intricate and ever-evolving. Top New York immigration lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of these laws, visa categories, and eligibility requirements. They can translate this complex legal landscape into clear and actionable steps for your specific situation.
Personalized Guidance for Your Unique Case:
No two immigration journeys are identical. Skilled New York immigration lawyers provide personalized legal advice tailored to your circumstances. They will assess your eligibility for various visas or immigration benefits and recommend the most suitable pathway to achieving your goals.
Avoiding Costly Application Errors:
The immigration process involves numerous forms and documents. Even minor errors or omissions can lead to delays or denials. A skilled New York immigration lawyer will meticulously review all required paperwork, ensuring accuracy and maximizing your chances of a smooth application process.
Streamlining the Application Journey:
Applying for visas or immigration benefits can be time-consuming and complex. Top New York immigration lawyers will guide you through every step, from gathering documentation to submitting applications and representing you at interviews, if necessary.
Expertly Handling Complexities:
Certain immigration cases involve intricate legal issues or challenges due to past legal situations or family circumstances. Experienced New York immigration lawyers can navigate these complexities, finding creative solutions specific to your unique case.
Appealing Denied Applications and Advocating for You:
Denials can be disheartening, but they don’t have to be the end of the road. Top New York immigration lawyers can assist with appeals or case reopenings, meticulously challenging denials and fiercely advocating for your rights.
Staying Current on Immigration Law Updates:
Immigration laws and policies are subject to frequent changes, affecting visa categories and application procedures. Skilled New York immigration lawyers stay up-to-date on these modifications, ensuring your case adheres to the latest requirements.
Powerful Courtroom Representation, When Needed:
In some cases, deportation or removal proceedings may arise. Experienced New York immigration lawyers will represent you in immigration court, presenting a compelling defense and fighting tirelessly for the best possible outcome.
Achieving Your Immigration Goals:
Whether you seek to work, study, reunite with family, or secure asylum in the United States, top New York immigration lawyers can help you navigate the legal landscape and work towards achieving your goals.
Partnering with a skilled New York immigration lawyer equips you with the knowledge, guidance, and advocacy necessary to navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law. Their expertise can significantly increase your chances of success, bringing you closer to achieving your American dream.