Criminal Defense Lawyers

Brooklyn Immigration Lawyers

Last Updated on: 11th October 2025, 11:05 am

Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group – a second-generation law firm managed by Todd Spodek. We have over 50 years of combined experience representing Brooklyn immigrants from Sunset Park to Flatbush, from Bay Ridge to Williamsburg. Todd Spodek was born in Brooklyn, grew up working in his father’s law firm here, and has been appearing in Brooklyn courts on a daily basis for years. We know Brooklyn. We’ve represented thousands of clients since 1976, including the Anna Delvey case that became a Netflix series and the Ghislaine Maxwell juror misconduct case.

The Current Immigration Crisis in Brooklyn

If you’re an immigrant in Brooklyn in 2025, you’re living in one of the most diverse boroughs in America – and you’re also living through one of the most aggressive immigration enforcement periods in recent history. ICE raids have sent chills through Little Haiti in Central Brooklyn, with businesses struggling as people stay home out of fear. About 29% of all NYC immigration cases involve Brooklyn residents. ICE detentions in New York county jails have exploded – six times more in the first seven months of 2025 than all of 2024.

You need Brooklyn immigration lawyers who understand your neighborhood, who know the local courts, who’ve been fighting ICE in this borough for decades.

Brooklyn’s Immigrant Neighborhoods – Who We Serve

Brooklyn is home to some of the most diverse immigrant communities in the entire country. Nearly half of Sunset Park residents were born outside the United States – from China, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central America, the Middle East, Europe. The growing Guatemalan population is transforming Fifth Avenue, opening new businesses, building new communities.

Little Caribbean Communities

Flatbush and East Flatbush – known as Little Caribbean – are home to massive Haitian, Jamaican, and Trinidadian communities. About 40-46% of residents in these neighborhoods were born outside the United States.

• The most common birthplace for foreign-born residents in East Flatbush is Jamaica (16,581 residents), followed by Haiti (10,533) and Trinidad & Tobago (9,929)
• In Flatbush/Midwood, Haiti leads with 8,572 residents, then Jamaica with 5,424

Other Major Immigrant Communities

• Bay Ridge and Borough Park have large Middle Eastern, Russian, and Orthodox Jewish immigrant populations
• Williamsburg and Greenpoint are home to Polish and Latin American communities
• Bensonhurst has Chinese and Russian immigrants
• Canarsie has Caribbean families

At Spodek Law Group, we represent clients from every single one of these neighborhoods. Our Brooklyn office is at 195 Montague St. We speak multiple languages. We understand that a Haitian family in Flatbush faces different immigration challenges than a Chinese family in Sunset Park or a Mexican family in Bushwick. Cultural context matters. Language matters. We get it.

Little Haiti and the 2025 ICE Raids

In February 2025, ICE raids devastated Little Haiti in Central Brooklyn. Store owners, retail workers, vendors, and community advocates reported that people were staying away out of fear of being swept up in ICE raids. The Flatbush thoroughfare and Nostrand Avenue – usually bustling with Caribbean businesses, restaurants, shops – saw declining foot traffic. Businesses suffered. Families hid.

This is the reality of 2025 in Brooklyn.ICE doesn’t just arrest people at their homes. They arrest people:

• Going to work
• Walking their kids to school
• Shopping for groceries
• Waiting for the bus

Our immigration attorneys have defended dozens of clients arrested in these neighborhood sweeps.

Brooklyn Courts and ICE Enforcement

Key Brooklyn Court Locations:

• Brooklyn Criminal Court at 120 Schermerhorn Street
• Brooklyn Supreme Court at 360 Adams Street
• Brooklyn Family Court at 330 Jay Street

These courthouses used to be safe spaces for immigrants. Not anymore.

ICE agents stake out Brooklyn courts regularly. They wait outside. They watch who’s going in for arraignments, for family court hearings, for traffic violations.  If they have your name on a list, they arrest you when you leave. We’ve had clients arrested literally steps from the courthouse doors after resolving a minor summons.

The problem is you can’t just skip court. If you have a criminal case or a family court case, you have to appear – or the judge issues a warrant. But appearing means potentially encountering ICE. Our Brooklyn immigration lawyers work with criminal defense attorneys and family law attorneys to coordinate your court appearances safely. We communicate with ICE field offices when appropriate. We file motions to appear remotely when possible. We explore every option to keep you safe.

MDC Brooklyn – Federal Immigration Detention

The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC Brooklyn) at 80 29th Street in Sunset Park is one of the federal detention facilities where ICE holds immigrants awaiting deportation. If ICE arrests you in Brooklyn, there’s a good chance you end up at MDC Brooklyn – or you get transferred to Bergen County Jail in New Jersey or Orange County Jail upstate.

Our immigration attorneys visit MDC Brooklyn regularly. We:

• File bond motions to get you out
• Prepare your case while you’re detained
• Respond immediately to detention cases

Time matters in detention cases – immigration courts move fast when you’re locked up. You need lawyers who respond immediately, who know the facility procedures, who’ve handled dozens of MDC Brooklyn detention cases.

Why You Need Brooklyn Immigration Lawyers Specifically

Brooklyn isn’t Manhattan. The immigration cases are different. The demographics are different. The local ICE enforcement patterns are different. You need lawyers who practice in Brooklyn, who know Brooklyn Criminal Court judges, who appear at Brooklyn immigration court hearings, who understand Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Todd Spodek grew up in Brooklyn. He worked in his father’s law firm as a child, which sparked his interest in courts and the criminal trial process. After law school at Pace, he started appearing in Brooklyn courts and throughout New York State on a daily basis. That Brooklyn-specific knowledge – knowing the assistant district attorneys, knowing the immigration judges, knowing how Brooklyn cases move through the system – gives our clients an advantage.

We’re a second-generation law firm. Our combined experience is over 50 years. We’ve been handling Brooklyn immigration cases since 1976. We know which immigration judges at 26 Federal Plaza used to practice in Brooklyn. We know the local ICE field office procedures. We know Brooklyn.

Immigration Services We Provide in Brooklyn

We handle every type of immigration case Brooklyn throws at us:

Deportation Defense

If you’re in removal proceedings, we fight to keep you here. Many of the cases we’re famous for handling – are cases that others say were unwinnable. This is key to why clients choose us.We’ve won asylum cases, cancellation of removal cases, adjustment of status cases for clients facing deportation.

ICE Detention and Bond Hearings

If ICE arrested you and you’re sitting in MDC Brooklyn or another detention facility, we file bond motions immediately. We gather the evidence – family letters, proof of community ties, employment records – and we argue for your release. We’ve gotten clients released on bond when other lawyers said it was impossible.

Family Immigration

Marriage green cards, bringing your children or parents to the United States, fiancé visas. Brooklyn has huge immigrant communities with family members still abroad. We handle the entire process from the initial petition through the interview at 26 Federal Plaza.

Asylum

If you fled persecution in Haiti, Jamaica, China, Yemen, Venezuela, Guatemala, or anywhere else, we help you apply for asylum. <u>The deadline is one year from arrival. Don’t wait. Our attorneys know the country conditions for every major country. We know what evidence the asylum officers and immigration judges want to see.

Work Visas

• H-1B visas for nurses, engineers, tech workers
• L-1 visas for managers
• O-1 visas for artists and musicians – Brooklyn has a huge creative community

We help employers and employees navigate the visa process.

Naturalization

Becoming a U.S. citizen. We review your entire immigration history before filing to make sure there are no surprises. We prepare you for the interview. We represent you if USCIS denies your application.

Multilingual Services for Brooklyn’s Diverse Communities

Our team speaks multiple languages and works with interpreters for the languages we don’t speak. Spanish, Haitian Creole, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish, Arabic – we serve Brooklyn’s immigrant communities in their own languages. Legal immigration matters are complicated enough. You shouldn’t have to struggle with a language barrier on top of everything else.

What Makes Spodek Law Group Different

Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors and judges, Spodek Law Group owes loyalty to only YOU. We are focused on our clients and getting them the best outcome possible. Many law firms are ‘mills’ and take on every single client. <u>We focus on only working with clients who we can truly help.

We pride ourselves on having a rock star team of attorneys who have over 50 years of combined experience. Our team includes former federal prosecutors who understand how the government builds immigration cases. They know ICE tactics. They know deportation officer strategies. That insider knowledge matters.

Our High-Profile Cases and Media Recognition

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey. This case captivated the national spotlight, resulting in a Netflix show created by Shonda Rhimes. Our firm has been featured on:

• NY Post
• Newsweek
• Fox 5
• Business Insider
• Bloomberg
• USA Today
• The New York Times

We’ve handled some of the toughest cases and have come out on top.

We handled the Ghislaine Maxwell juror misconduct case that made national headlines. We defended a businessman in a $12 million Ponzi scheme with 40+ victims and secured only a 6-month sentence despite the massive fraud. We handle high-profile cases and we handle cases for regular Brooklyn families who just need help. Every client gets the same dedication.

The Reality in Brooklyn Right Now

Let’s be clear about what you’re facing in Brooklyn in 2025. ICE is operating in every neighborhood. Little Haiti saw raids that devastated businesses. ICE detentions in county jails increased six times over 2024 levels. ICE agents stake out Brooklyn courts. About 29% of all NYC immigration cases involve Brooklyn residents – that’s thousands of people fighting deportation.

If any of these apply to you, get help now:

• you’re undocumented
• you have a final order of removal
• you missed an immigration court date
• you’re on a visa that’s expiring
• you have any criminal history at all

Waiting makes everything worse. Immigration court backlogs are measured in years. The sooner you start fighting, the more options you have.

Why Choose Todd Spodek and Our Team

Our managing partner, Todd Spodek, is a seasoned attorney – who has many, many, years of experience. He is a second-generation lawyer, with years of experience successfully handling hundreds of complex cases. Regardless of how complicated your case is, or how challenging it is – we can help you get the outcome you need and want.

Our Modern Approach

We have a completely online digital portal – which means all communications, invoicing, submission of documents, and access to confidential information can be done completely virtually. But we’re always available when you need us. We’re available 24/7. <u>Immigration emergencies don’t happen on a schedule.

We offer risk-free consultations – in person at our Brooklyn office on Montague Street, or over the phone. During this initial consultation, you can ask us anything you need to know about your immigration situation and what options you have. Our criminal defense attorneys have been interviewed by many major news outlets, like FOX News, NY POST, and others.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn Immigration Lawyers

Core FAQs to Add

How much do Brooklyn immigration lawyers charge?

Brooklyn immigration lawyers typically charge $3,000-$5,000 for family-based green cards, $5,000-$15,000 for deportation defense, and $1,500-$3,000 for naturalization cases. Rates in Brooklyn are often 20-30% less than Manhattan firms. Spodek Law Group offers payment plans and accepts cases other firms reject.

What should I do if ICE comes to my door in Brooklyn?

Don’t open the door. ICE needs a judicial warrant signed by a judge (not an administrative warrant) to enter your home. Remain silent, stay calm. <u>You should try to have an attorney IMMEDIATELY in place.

Can Brooklyn immigration lawyers help if I already have a deportation order?

Yes. Brooklyn immigration lawyers can file motions to reopen/appeals, or stays of removal even with existing deportation orders.

Do I need a lawyer for my immigration interview at 26 Federal Plaza?

While not required, Brooklyn immigration lawyers prevent denials at 26 Federal Plaza interviews. We know which officers ask trick questions, what documents they scrutinize, and how to handle unexpected issues. One wrong answer can trigger deportation proceedings.

How long does it take to get a green card in Brooklyn in 2025?

• Marriage-based green cards from Brooklyn currently take 8-18 months
• Family preference categories take 2-23 years depending on country and category
• Employment-based cases take 1-3 years Brooklyn immigration lawyers can expedite certain cases.

Urgent Search Queries

Can ICE arrest me at Brooklyn Criminal Court?

Yes. ICE stakes out Brooklyn Criminal Court at 120 Schermerhorn Street and Brooklyn Family Court at 330 Jay Street. Brooklyn immigration lawyers coordinate with criminal attorneys to minimize ICE contact risk during required court appearances.

What happens if I miss my immigration court date in NYC?

Missing court at 26 Federal Plaza results in automatic deportation orders.

How fast can Brooklyn immigration lawyers stop deportation?

We file stays of removal within hours. If ICE detention does happen, Brooklyn immigration lawyers can file habeas corpus petitions, try to ask for prosecutorial discretion, or seek emergency federal court intervention. <u>We’re available 24/7 because deportations happen on weekends.

Cost/Comparison FAQs

How do I choose the best Brooklyn immigration lawyer?

There are many ways to find the absolute best Brooklyn immigration lawyer. Typically you want someone with:

• Federal court admission
• Over 10 years of experience
• Offices in Brooklyn
• The ability to handle multiple languages
• Specific experience with your country and type of immigration case

Avoid lawyers who quote low fees, it’s usually a scam or low quality services.

Do Brooklyn immigration lawyers offer free consultations?

Spodek Law Group offers risk-free consultations for all Brooklyn immigration cases. Many Brooklyn lawyers charge $300-500 just for consultation.

Can Brooklyn immigration lawyers help with criminal records?

Yes. Criminal convictions trigger deportation orders immediately. The new Trump Administration is VERY strict, and is not looking to be nice. Brooklyn immigration lawyers can file post-conviction relief, negotiate with prosecutors for immigration-safe pleas, or seek pardons. We work with criminal defense attorneys at Brooklyn Criminal Court regularly.