Long Island Immigration Lawyers

Long Island Immigration Lawyers

Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group – a second-generation law firm managed by Todd Spodek. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling complex immigration cases across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. You’re here because you need help with your immigration situation, and you need it now. Our immigration attorneys have handled thousands of cases since 1976, and we’ve represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases you’ve seen on the news – like Anna Delvey, featured in the Netflix series, and the Ghislaine Maxwell juror misconduct case that made national headlines.

If you’re on Long Island dealing with immigration issues in 2025, you’re facing the most aggressive enforcement environment in years. Nassau County became the first county in New York to partner with ICE this year – and that changes everything. You need a Long Island immigration lawyer who understands what’s happening locally, not just federal immigration law.

Nassau County’s ICE Partnership – What Changed in 2025

In February 2025, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that 10 county police detectives would be given the same authority as federal immigration agents. This is the controversial 287(g) task force model that ICE discontinued in 2012 because of racial profiling concerns. Nassau brought it back.

What does this mean for you? Local Nassau County police can now act as immigration enforcement. A traffic stop becomes an immigration check. A noise complaint at your home turns into an ICE encounter. Suffolk County hasn’t partnered with ICE – yet – but enforcement is happening there too.

In April 2025, ICE arrested 206 people during enhanced operations throughout Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. In June, Glen Cove saw ICE enforcement that rattled the community. Our immigration attorneys know how these operations work because we’ve been defending Long Island immigrants through all of it.

The Legal Challenge You Should Know About

Immigrant rights groups – including the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, Central American Refugee Center, and Haitian-American Family of Long Island – sued Nassau County in June 2025 over the ICE partnership. The lawsuit is ongoing. If you’ve been affected by the 287(g) program, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and options.

Why You Need a Long Island Immigration Lawyer – Not Just Any Immigration Lawyer

Long Island isn’t New York City. The immigration courts are different. The local enforcement patterns are different. Nassau and Suffolk have their own dynamics. You need lawyers who practice here, who know the local ICE field offices, who understand how Nassau County police are operating under the 287(g) agreement.

At Spodek Law Group, we have offices throughout Long Island and NYC – including our Brooklyn office at 195 Montague St. We appear in the immigration courts that matter to Long Island residents. We know the assistant chief counsels. We know which judges grant continuances and which ones don’t. That local knowledge matters when your case is on the line.

Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney who grew up working in his father’s law firm in Brooklyn. He’s been handling complex cases for years – from criminal defense to immigration. His unique talent for successful advocacy became apparent during his first year of law school. After law school, Todd appeared in court in New York City and throughout New York State on a daily basis. That’s the kind of experience you need when ICE is knocking on your door.

Long Island’s Immigrant Communities

Long Island is home to nearly 585,000 immigrants – about 20 percent of the total population of 2.9 million. Our communities include Chinese Americans, Hispanic families, Indian Americans, Korean communities, Russian speakers, Bengali speakers, and many, many more. We’ve represented clients from every one of these communities.

Our immigration attorneys understand that language matters. Cultural context matters. A Chinese family in Flushing faces different challenges than a Salvadoran family in Brentwood. We get it. Our team includes attorneys who speak multiple languages and who have worked with Long Island’s diverse immigrant population for decades.

What to Do If ICE Contacts You on Long Island

If ICE shows up at your home or workplace, you have rights – even if you’re undocumented. Don’t open the door unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. Ask them to slide it under the door. An ICE administrative warrant is not enough.

Don’t answer questions. Say: “I’m exercising my right to remain silent and I want to speak to my lawyer.” Then call us immediately at our 24/7 line. We’re available around the clock because immigration emergencies don’t happen on a schedule.

If you’re detained, don’t sign anything without talking to a lawyer first. ICE may offer you “voluntary departure” – which sounds good but means you’re waiving your right to see an immigration judge. Once you sign, you’re deported. There’s no taking it back. Our attorneys have stopped many clients from making this mistake.

Nassau vs. Suffolk – Know the Difference

Nassau County has the 287(g) agreement. Suffolk County doesn’t – for now. But that doesn’t mean Suffolk is safe. ICE operates in both counties. They conduct targeted enforcement operations. They stake out courthouses, schools, workplaces.

The difference is that in Nassau, you might encounter county police who are cross-designated as immigration officers. In Suffolk, it’s federal ICE agents. Either way, you need a lawyer who knows how to fight your case.

Immigration Services We Provide on Long Island

We handle every type of immigration case – from family petitions to deportation defense to asylum to work visas. Here’s what Long Island clients come to us for most often:

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

Family-Based Immigration – Bringing your spouse, children, or parents to the United States. Marriage green cards. Fiancé visas. We handle the paperwork, the interviews, the RFEs when USCIS asks for more evidence.

Employment Immigration – H-1B visas for tech workers, nurses, engineers. L-1 visas for managers transferring to the U.S. O-1 visas for people with extraordinary ability. Long Island has a huge healthcare and tech workforce – we help employers and employees navigate the visa process.

Asylum – If you fled persecution in your home country, we help you apply for asylum. The deadline is one year from your arrival in the United States. Don’t wait. Our attorneys know the latest country conditions, the case law, what evidence immigration judges want to see.

Naturalization – Becoming a U.S. citizen. We prepare you for the interview, review your entire immigration history for potential problems, and represent you if USCIS denies your application.

Our Approach – 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. 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 the tactics ICE uses. They know how to counter them.

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, and massive amounts of press. Our firm has been featured on NY Post, Newsweek, Fox 5, Business Insider, Bloomberg, USA Today, and the New York Times. We handle high-profile cases and we handle cases for regular people who just need help. Every client gets the same dedication.

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. You don’t need to travel to our office for every little thing. We serve clients coast to coast, but we’re always available when you need us.

The Stakes Are Higher in 2025 – Don’t Wait

Immigration enforcement on Long Island is more aggressive than it’s been in years. The Nassau County ICE partnership. The April enforcement operations. The June raids. This isn’t slowing down – it’s accelerating.

If you’re undocumented, if you have a final order of removal, if you missed an immigration court date years ago, if you’re on a visa that’s about to expire – get help now. Waiting makes everything worse. USCIS backlogs are measured in years. Immigration court backlogs are even longer. The sooner you start, the more options you have.

Our criminal defense attorneys have been interviewed by many major news outlets, like FOX News, NY POST, and others. 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. We’re available 24/7. We offer risk-free consultations – in person 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.

Call Spodek Law Group today. Your future is in jeopardy – and you need the best Long Island immigration lawyers fighting for you.