Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Freed
Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi released after detention by immigration authorities sparked widespread campus protests.
Konsènan Kabinè Nou
Yon Moun Konpetan Ap Okipe Sa. Kounye a Menm.
W ap fè fas ak yon bagay ki fè ou pè. Yon dat tribinal. Yon lèt ou pa konprann. Laperèz ke tout bagay ap tonbe si ou fè yon sèl move pa. Nou pase ven tan ap ede moun atravè egzakteman bagay sa a. Ou pa oblije chèche konprann li pou kont ou ankò.
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Ane Eksperyans
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Ka Jere
Multiple
Lang Disponib
100%
Konsantre sou Imigrasyon
Angajman Nou
Sa Ki Chanje Lè Ou Anplwaye Nou
Ou te pote chaj sa a pou kont ou—ap eseye dechifre lèt gouvènman an a 2 è dimaten, ap mande konsèy nan gwoup Facebook, ap mande tèt ou si notaryo nan kwen lari a se yon vrè moun. Men sa ki chanje nan moman ou anplwaye nou.
Ka Ou Inik. Preparasyon Nou Pa Inik.
Sitiyasyon chak moun diferan—men apre ven tan konsantre sèlman sou lwa imigrasyon, nou te wè dè milye senaryo. Kèlkeswa sa w ap fè fas, nou gen eksperyans ak apwòch pou jere li.
Anyen Pa Pase Anba Tab
Ka ou a gen yon ekip konplè k ap veye li—avoka, paralegal, ak anplwaye sipò ki vrèman pale youn ak lòt. Dat limit yo pa rate. Papye yo pa pèdi.
Ou Pap Janm Mande Kisa K ap Pase
Nou retounen apèl ak imèl nan 48 èdtan. Pa gen plis nwit san dòmi ap mande si gen yon moun k ap travay sou ka ou. Ou pral toujou konnen ki kote bagay yo ye.
N ap Di Ou Verite a—Menm Si Li Fè Mal
Si nou pa ka ede ou, n ap di ou sa. Si ka ou fèb, ou pral konnen. Pèsonn pa pran lajan ou pou yon ka ki pa ka genyen. Ou merite verite a depi nan kòmansman.
Vrè Kalite, Frè Onèt
Bon èd legal pa ta dwe mande yon dezyèm ipotèk. Nou ofri frè jis avèk plan peman, paske avni fanmi ou pa ta dwe depann de kantite lajan kach ou genyen kounye a.
Ka Ou Toujou Pou Ou
Chak dokiman, chak depo, chak moso nan ka ou—ou resevwa kopi tout bagay. Si ou janm bezwen ale yon lòt kote, ou soti avèk dosye konplè ou.
"Laperèz la kòmanse desann nan moman yon moun konpetan pran responsabilite a."
Moun Ki Nan Kwen Ou
Moun Ou Pral Travay Avèk
Chak moun isit la te chwazi lwa imigrasyon paske li enpòtan. Nou tout te wè sa ki pase lè bagay yo mal—e sa ki pase lè bagay yo ale byen.
Attorneys
Joshua E. Bardavid
Founding Attorney
Anvan mwen te vin avoka imigrasyon, mwen te travay ak Wo Komisarya Nasyonzini pou Refijye yo. Mwen te wè sa ki rive moun lè gouvènman yo echwe yo—e sa ki rive lè yon moun goumen pou yo. Ven an nan lwa imigrasyon. Dè santèn ka. Avoka prensipal nan apèl ki te chanje fason lwa a fonksyone. Mwen te diskite nan tribinal sikit federal e mwen te genyen ka ki te sanble enposib. Mwen te gradye cum laude nan St. John's Law, kote mwen te redaktè an chèf New York International Law Review. Mwen te viv nan Washington D.C., Afrik Oksidantal, ak Mwayen Oryan. Imigrasyon pa abstrè pou mwen—mwen te wè sa ki pouse moun kite tout bagay dèyè. Lè mwen pa nan tribinal, mwen jwe foutbòl e mwen soufri kòm yon fanatik Mets. Manm AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association).
Edikasyon
- J.D., cum laude, St. John's University School of Law
- B.A., Presidential Scholar With High Honors, University of Maryland
Admisyon nan Bawo
- 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.
Edikasyon
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
Admisyon nan Bawo
- New York State Bar, 2018
Languages
- Spanish
Elizabeth Thomas
Supervisory Attorney
Mwen se yon imigran mwen menm—mwen te kòmanse nan Lachin, mwen te jwenn chemen mwen nan New York, e kounye a mwen nan pwosesis imigrasyon ankò pou jwenn rezidans pèmanan ann Espay. Mwen konnen sa li ye pou navige nan yon sistèm ki pa t bati pou ede ou. Mwen avèk Bardavid Law depi 2018. Mwen pale Anglè, Panyòl, ak Mandaren byen. Mwen te reprezante kliyan nan tribinal imigrasyon atravè peyi a ak nan tribinal fanmi atravè New York. Travay sa a enpòtan pou mwen paske mwen te nan lòt bò a. Mwen konprann laperèz la, konfizyon an, fristrasyon an. Travay mwen se asire ou pa oblije chèche konprann sa a pou kont ou.
Admisyon nan Bawo
- 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.
Edikasyon
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
- B.A., Arizona State University
Admisyon nan Bawo
- 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
Mwen avèk Bardavid Law pou plis pase sis an. Mwen se moun ki ede asire anyen pa pase anba tab—kominikasyon ak kliyan, preparasyon ka, depo nan tribinal, tradiksyon. Mwen te etidye Lwa ak Sosyete nan John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Mwen pale Anglè ak Panyòl byen. Sa mwen plis enterese se asire ou konprann sa k ap pase ak ka ou. Imigrasyon deja konplike ase san ou santi ou nan fènwa. Travay mwen se kenbe ou enfòme e sipòte nan chak etap.
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)
Ven an nan lwa imigrasyon. Mwen te pase karyè mwen ap sèvi kominote Chinwa a—Kantonè, Mandaren, Fuzhou, ak lòt dyalèk. Mwen konnen sa sa vle di bezwen èd e pa konnen ki kote pou jwenn li. Se poutèt sa mwen fè travay sa a. Chak moun merite yon moun ki pale lang li e ki konprann sa l ap travèse. Deyò biwo a, mwen se yon jwè badminton klase nasyonalman avèk viktwa tounwa atravè peyi a. Pitit gason mwen, jwa nan lavi mwen, te vwayaje atravè mond lan e kounye a ap travay nan Inivèsite Fordham.
Languages
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Fuzhou
Our team, working for you.
Vrè Rezilta
Lè Li Te Fè Nouvèl
Ka ki te enpòtan ase pou New York Times, Washington Post, ak CNN te kouvri yo. Moun ki te bezwen èd e ki te jwenn li.
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.
Ka Ki Te Chanje Lwa a
Viktwa Ki Enpòtan
Viktwa nan tribinal federal ki pa sèlman te ede kliyan nou yo—yo te chanje fason lwa a fonksyone pou tout moun ki te vini apre.
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
Poukisa Nou Egziste
Nou Te Kote Ou Ye a
Nou te kòmanse kabinè sa a paske nou te wè twòp moun k ap soufri. Notaryo k ap pran lajan pou ka yo pa t ka genyen. Bon moun ki pèdi tout bagay paske yo te fè konfyans nan move konsèy. Fanmi yo te chire akoz dat limit rate ak move enfòmasyon.
Chak moun nan ekip nou te chwazi lwa imigrasyon paske li enpòtan. Nou wè sa ki rive lè bagay yo mal. Nou wè tou sa ki rive lè yon moun finalman jwenn èd li bezwen an—soulajman sou figi yo lè chaj la kòmanse desann.
Nou pale Anglè, Panyòl, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Fransè, ak Mandaren. Ou pa oblije tradui laperèz ou. Ou pa oblije mande si nou te konprann. Ou ka eksplike sa k ap pase nan lang ou panse ladan l.
Konsantrasyon
Lwa imigrasyon se tout sa nou fè. Pandan lòt avoka ap touche yon douzèn domèn pratik, nou pase ven tan ap aprann chak kwen nan sistèm sa a. Nou konnen ofisye yo, jij yo, modèl yo. Ka ou pa yon eksperyans—se sa nou fè chak jou.
Kalite
Gouvènman an chèche nenpòt rezon pou refize ou. Yon ti bwat ou rate, yon dat ki pa bon, yon dokiman fèb—e ou rekòmanse nan zero. Nou kenbe sa lòt moun rate paske nou te wè ki kote ka yo tonbe.
Onètete
Yo pwobableman te deja bay ou manti. Zanmi kouzen an ki te di li fasil. Notaryo a ki te pwomèt rezilta. Nou di ou verite a—sa ki posib, sa ki riske, sa ki pap mache. Menm lè li difisil pou tande.
Ou Te Pote Sa Pou Kont Ou
Sa fini jodi a. Di nou sa k ap pase—konsiltasyon gratis, san jijman, nan lang ou pi alèz la.
Ann Pale Sou Sitiyasyon Ou