Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Freed
Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi released after detention by immigration authorities sparked widespread campus protests.
About Our Firm
Someone Competent Is On Top of It. Starting Now.
You're facing something terrifying. A court date. A letter you don't understand. The fear that everything falls apart if you make one wrong move. We've spent twenty years getting people through exactly this. You don't have to figure it out alone anymore.
20+
Years Experience
5,000+
Cases Handled
Multiple
Languages Available
100%
Immigration Focus
Our Commitment
What Changes When You Hire Us
You've been carrying this weight alone—trying to decode government letters at 2am, asking Facebook groups for advice, wondering if that notario down the street is legit. Here's what changes the moment you hire us.
Your Case Is Unique. Our Preparation Isn't.
Every person's situation is different—but after twenty years of nothing but immigration law, we've seen thousands of scenarios. Whatever you're facing, we have the experience and approach to handle it.
Nothing Falls Through the Cracks
Your case has a whole team watching it—attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who actually talk to each other. Deadlines don't get missed. Papers don't get lost.
You'll Never Wonder What's Happening
We return calls and emails within 48 hours. No more lying awake wondering if anyone's working on your case. You'll always know where things stand.
We'll Tell You the Truth—Even If It Hurts
If we can't help you, we'll say so. If your case is weak, you'll know. No one takes your money for a case that can't win. You deserve the truth upfront.
Real Quality, Honest Fees
Good legal help shouldn't require a second mortgage. We offer fair fees with payment plans, because your family's future shouldn't depend on how much cash you have right now.
Your Case Is Always Yours
Every document, every filing, every piece of your case—you get copies of everything. If you ever need to go somewhere else, you walk out with your complete file.
"The terror starts lifting the moment someone competent takes over."
The People in Your Corner
Who You'll Be Working With
Every person here chose immigration law because it matters. We've all seen what happens when this goes wrong—and what happens when it goes right.
Attorneys
Joshua E. Bardavid
Founding Attorney
Before I became an immigration lawyer, I worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. I saw what happens to people when governments fail them—and what happens when someone fights for them. Twenty years of immigration law. Hundreds of cases. Lead counsel on appeals that changed how the law works. I've argued in federal circuit courts and won cases that seemed impossible. I graduated cum laude from St. John's Law, where I was editor-in-chief of the New York International Law Review. I've lived in Washington D.C., West Africa, and the Middle East. Immigration isn't abstract to me—I've seen what drives people to leave everything behind. When I'm not in court, I play soccer and suffer as a Mets fan. Member of AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association).
Education
- J.D., cum laude, St. John's University School of Law
- B.A., Presidential Scholar With High Honors, University of Maryland
Bar Admissions
- New York State Bar
- Immigration Court (EOIR)
- Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- First Circuit Court of Appeals
- Second Circuit Court of Appeals
- Third Circuit Court of Appeals
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
David Dominguez
Senior Associate Attorney
I'm a first generation American who grew up in a bilingual household. Growing up with immigrant parents, I understood from a very young age how difficult life can be for those who come from another country. As a dual citizen of the U.S. and Spain, I've lived between two worlds my entire life. I know what it means to have the freedom to move, to visit family, to build a life where you choose. I also know what it looks like when someone doesn't have that freedom. When a border separates you from the people you love. The moment that most impacted me was when my uncle was deported from the United States. Watching my family torn apart by an immigration system that treated him like a number. That was the moment that guided me towards becoming a lawyer who works with the immigrant community. Since 2018, I've been working exclusively on immigration law. I focus on removal defense, family-based immigration, and humanitarian relief. I know what's at stake because I've watched it happen to my own family. Freedom of movement isn't abstract to me. It's the difference between a family staying together or being separated by thousands of miles.
Education
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
Bar Admissions
- New York State Bar, 2018
Languages
- Spanish
Elizabeth Thomas
Supervisory Attorney
I'm an immigrant myself—started in China, made my way to New York, and I'm now going through the immigration process again to get permanent residency in Spain. I know what it feels like to navigate a system that wasn't built to help you. I've been with Bardavid Law since 2018. I speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin fluently. I've represented clients in immigration courts across the country and in family courts throughout New York. This work matters to me because I've been on the other side. I understand the fear, the confusion, the frustration. My job is to make sure you don't have to figure this out alone.
Bar Admissions
- New York State Bar, 2018
Languages
- Spanish
- Mandarin
David Herscovici
Of Counsel
I've lived and traveled in many countries, learning to navigate unfamiliar systems, communicate across language barriers, and build trust with people from different backgrounds. That experience shapes how I enjoy life and how I practice law. Immigration clients are navigating a legal process that includes the vulnerability of explaining the most important moments of their lives to strangers, often in a language that isn't their first. I have an idea of how difficult that probably feels from my own experiences. I speak Hebrew, Spanish, and Japanese, all of which I learned as an adult. I know firsthand what it takes to make yourself understood when the words don't come easily. Earlier in my career, I bicycled cross-country helping to raise money and awareness for Street Soccer USA, which uses soccer to end homelessness by transferring job and life skills to homeless youth and adults. For weeks, we visited Street Soccer hubs and relied on the generosity of strangers for help and sometimes a place to sleep. It taught me something I carry into every client interaction: when someone opens their door to you, that's not a small thing. You remember it.
Education
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
- B.A., Arizona State University
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2009
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
Languages
- Hebrew
- Spanish
- Japanese
Office Manager & Paralegals
Angie Garcia
Office Manager
Over 25 years in legal work, more than a decade here at Bardavid Law. I run the office—making sure everything works the way it should. I grew up in a Hispanic household where family meant everything. That's why I do this work. Every family that comes through our door deserves a chance at a safe future together. I've seen what happens when immigration goes wrong. I've also seen what happens when it goes right. Outside work, I'm writing my autobiography—over 200 pages so far. If my story can help even one person keep going through hard times, every word will be worth it.
Esmerly Feliz
Senior Paralegal
I've been with Bardavid Law for over six years. I'm the person who helps make sure nothing falls through the cracks—client communication, case preparation, court filings, translations. I studied Law and Society at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I'm fluent in English and Spanish. What I care about most is making sure you understand what's happening with your case. Immigration is confusing enough without feeling like you're in the dark. My job is to keep you informed and supported through every step.
Yenifer Estevez
Paralegal
I come from an immigrant family. I know what it feels like when the system is confusing, when the stakes are your family's future, and when you need someone who actually understands what you're going through. Before joining Bardavid Law, I spent seven years as a paralegal at a nonprofit fighting for immigrants' rights. Advocating for my community, for my neighborhood, and for everything immigrants bring to the vibrancy of our city and our country. Educating people about their options. Making sure nobody got lost in the process. That same mission drives everything I do here. I earned my degree in Political Science from Lehman College. I'm fluent in Spanish. My job is to make sure you feel safe, supported, and informed at every step. You shouldn't have to wonder what's happening with your case. Fun fact: I played basketball in high school.
Languages
- Spanish
Administrative Assistants
Lesliee Zarate
Legal and Administrative Assistant
I grew up in an immigrant household. I watched my parents try to navigate a system that was confusing and often felt hostile. Every client who comes here reminds me of my own family's story. I've worked in offices for over a decade, three years now in immigration law. I know what it feels like to be lost in bureaucracy. I treat every client the way I wish people had treated my parents—with patience, respect, and actual help. Outside work, I hike Bear Mountain with my dog and volunteer at local shelters. I know what a helping hand means when you're going through hard times.
Liany Mercado
Legal Assistant and Receptionist
I grew up translating for my mother—doctor's appointments, government offices, anywhere she needed help. I saw how people's tone changed when they realized she didn't speak English. The impatience. The dismissal. Watching someone I love be treated like she didn't matter. That's why I'm here. Everyone who calls our office should feel welcomed and respected from the first moment. That's my job. I make sure you feel heard, not ignored. Outside work, I travel and explore cuisines around the world. Food brings people together—it tells the story of a place and its people.
Alice Au
Administrative Assistant & Translator (Part Time)
Twenty years in immigration law. I've spent my career serving the Chinese community—Cantonese, Mandarin, Fuzhou, and other dialects. I know what it means to need help and not know where to find it. That's why I do this work. Every person deserves someone who speaks their language and understands what they're going through. Outside the office, I'm a nationally ranked badminton player with tournament wins across the country. My son, the joy of my life, has traveled the world and now works at Fordham University.
Languages
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Fuzhou
Our team, working for you.
Real Results
When It Made the News
Cases that mattered enough for the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN to cover. People who needed help and got it.
U.S. Visa Crackdown Hits International Students Under Trump
Investigation into how new visa enforcement policies are disrupting the lives of international students across American universities.
UK Drops Foreign Student Targets, Shifts Focus to Overseas Education Hubs
Report on the UK's policy shift away from foreign student enrollment targets, with implications for global student migration patterns.
Indian Express
US F-1 Foreign Student Visas: FAQs Explained
Comprehensive explainer on F-1 student visa policies, application processes, and recent changes affecting international students in the United States.
The Intercept
ICE Is Entering Churches, Targeting Immigrant Rights Leaders
Investigation into ICE targeting leaders of New York's New Sanctuary Coalition, including surveillance outside churches and detention of movement organizers.
MPR News
Failed Asylum Claims Leave Immigrants Vulnerable to Gang Violence
Minnesota Public Radio investigation into asylum seekers deported back to gang-controlled regions after failed claims in U.S. immigration courts.
Close Call for Haitian Caught in Web of Detention
Following the Haiti earthquake, Bardavid filed habeas corpus to secure his client's release before a planned deportation flight.
What Happens When the Wrong People Get Deported
Commentary criticizing deportation focus on numbers over security, highlighting cases of innocent individuals wrongfully removed.
Un abogado del lado de los inmigrantes
Profile noting Bardavid's prior work with UN refugee agency in Africa and current representation of Spanish-speaking immigrants.
Cancer-Stricken Immigrant Detainee Dies After Being Denied Care
Report on Hiu Lui Ng, a 34-year-old engineer who died in ICE custody after being denied medical care despite losing 30 pounds and suffering a fractured spine.
Dissident Voice
Faith of Ibrahim Redeemed: Texas Family Released from Hutto Prison
Attorneys Cox and Bardavid filed habeas corpus motions detailing troubling detention conditions, leading the BIA to reverse its denial and reconsider an asylum appeal.
U.S. Agrees to Set Free a Stowaway Held in Detention for Four Years
Joshua Bardavid secured release of a stowaway held in immigration detention for four years through habeas corpus litigation.
Detainee in Limbo, Despite Judicial Order
After appellate court ordered release consideration, immigration officials attempted secret deportation via ship without passport.
Jailing Immigrants
Editorial examining the practice of indefinite immigrant detention and its impact on due process rights.
FRANCE 24
'Deportation Machine': How Donald Trump and ICE Are Changing America
France 24 documentary featuring attorney Joshua Bardavid on the impact of aggressive deportation policies on immigrant communities.
Activist & Father of Four Faces Deportation to Devastated Haiti
Democracy Now segment on a community activist facing deportation to Haiti over a decades-old conviction, with commentary from Bardavid.
Dr. Donny / The Book of You
The State of Immigrant Detention in America
Discussion on the conditions and impact of immigrant detention in the United States, featuring immigration attorney Joshua Bardavid.
National Public Radio Story
NPR radio segment featuring Joshua Bardavid discussing immigration law and client advocacy.
U.S. Authorities to Reconsider Asylum for Family
Federal immigration panel reopened asylum case for detained family; attorney anticipated their release and reunification within weeks.
Federal Bar Association
Immigration Law Conference Brochure — New Orleans 2016
Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Conference program featuring panels on asylum, detention, and immigration enforcement.
Cases That Changed the Law
Victories That Matter
Federal court wins that didn't just help our clients—they changed how the law works for everyone who came after.
Court found an Immigration Judge abused discretion by basing credibility determinations on unrelated facts from another case.
Appeals court rejected the notion that asylum applicants should abandon beliefs causing persecution.
Zheng v. BCIS — 3rd Circuit
Successfully overturned a habeas corpus denial, with the court noting the client had established community ties.
Court ruled for a Catholic persecution victim, finding the BIA's decision 'fatally flawed' for ignoring testimony.
Landmark ruling allowing naturalization applicants to proceed even after removal proceedings begin.
Court held immigration judges must evaluate applicant explanations and possess an obligation to develop the record.
Second Circuit overruled the BIA on derivative citizenship, holding that LPR status was not required when other statutory conditions were met.
Court found the BIA abused its discretion by failing to address petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
Court vacated and remanded, identifying a circuit split on whether misprision of felony constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude.
Novel ruling on stateless alien protections, remanding for BIA to address whether removal countries would transfer petitioner to a persecution country.
Court found USCIS's H-1B visa revocation reasoning flawed and unsupported by the administrative record, remanding for further proceedings.
BIA found the Immigration Judge's adverse credibility determination based solely on demeanor was insufficient, requiring remand.
Matter of M-H-M — Board of Immigration Appeals
Precedential ruling that immigrants have a right to proper service of BIA decisions and can appeal when service is improper.
Jahjaga v. Holder — 3rd Circuit
Why We Exist
We've Been Where You Are
We started this firm because we saw too many people getting hurt. Notarios taking money for cases they couldn't win. Good people losing everything because they trusted the wrong advice. Families torn apart by missed deadlines and bad information.
Every person on our team chose immigration law because it matters. We see what happens when this goes wrong. We also see what happens when someone finally gets the help they need—the relief on their face when the weight starts lifting.
We speak English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, and Mandarin. You don't have to translate your fear. You don't have to wonder if we understood. You can explain what's happening in the language you think in.
Focus
Immigration law is all we do. While other lawyers dabble in a dozen practice areas, we've spent twenty years learning every corner of this system. We know the officers, the judges, the patterns. Your case isn't an experiment—it's what we do every day.
Quality
The government looks for any reason to deny you. One missed box, one wrong date, one weak document—and you're back to square one. We catch what others miss because we've seen where cases fall apart.
Honesty
You've probably already been lied to. The cousin's friend who said it would be easy. The notario who promised results. We tell you the truth—what's possible, what's risky, what won't work. Even when it's hard to hear.
You've Been Carrying This Alone
That ends today. Tell us what's happening—free consultation, no judgment, in the language you're most comfortable with.
Let's Talk About Your Situation