Queens Immigration Lawyers
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Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group. We’re a second-generation law firm managed by Todd Spodek, with over 40 years of combined experience handling immigration cases. Our immigration law firm has represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases nationwide – from Anna Delvey (whose story became a Netflix series) to the Ghislaine Maxwell juror controversy and Alec Baldwin’s legal matters.
Our Goal
This article covers everything you need to know about finding the right immigration lawyer in Queens, New York. We’ll explain why Queens immigration cases are different – and more dangerous – than anywhere else in the country. You’ll learn about the specific enforcement patterns in neighborhoods from Flushing to Jamaica, the judges who’ll decide your fate, and the mistakes that can destroy your case forever.
Our experience handling immigration cases across all five boroughs – and nationwide – gives us insights other firms simply don’t have. We’ve seen how ICE operates differently in Queens than in Manhattan. We know which judges at 26 Federal Plaza deny almost every case and which ones actually listen. Most importantly, we understand that your case isn’t just about paperwork – it’s about your entire life.
If you’re on our website reading about immigration lawyers in Queens, it’s likely because you’re facing legal trouble – and you’re probably scared and anxious about what comes next. We get it. Maybe you got a notice you don’t understand, or ICE showed up at your door, or your green card application got denied after years of waiting. There’s no two ways about it – this is about your life, your future, and your family.
Queens has become ground zero for immigration enforcement. There are so many people getting arrested and deported on a daily basis by ICE. The numbers tell the story – ICE arrests jumped 45% last year alone. We’re talking about 1,200 people arrested in 2023, up from 827 the year before. They’re not just going after serious criminals anymore, they’re going after anyone – and everyone. Our client Maria from Elmhurst – a house cleaner with no record – got detained during a subway check. Ahmed, who runs a halal cart in Astoria, got picked up after 15 years of following every rule. ICE does not care about your record – to them, you are just a number.
The diversity that makes Queens special also makes it a target. With 138 languages spoken and 47% of residents born overseas, federal agents know exactly where to look – they know the soft spots, where other people would think are safe. They stake out the immigration attorney offices on Roosevelt Avenue. They monitor the mosques in Jackson Heights, the temples in Flushing, the community centers in Corona. If you’re in Queens – you’re on their radar.
Why Immigration Law in Queens Is Different
The Queens Immigration Court handles 85,000 cases a year with just 8 judges. Think about that – 230 cases every single day. Your case gets buried in this chaos unless you have attorneys who know the system inside out.
Judge Sarah Burr denies 78% of asylum cases. Judge Michael Marks approves 65%. These aren’t just statistics – they’re the difference between staying with your family or getting deported. We know every judge’s tendencies, their pet peeves, what arguments work and what doesn’t. When your life’s on the line, these details matter.
New York’s sanctuary policies create a false sense of security. Sure, NYPD won’t cooperate with ICE. But federal agents don’t need local help. They have DMV records, they monitor social media, they use facial recognition at Penn Station. We’ve seen clients think they’re protected, then get arrested at the 7 train station.
The language barriers in Queens compound every problem. When your attorney doesn’t speak Bengali or Mandarin or Urdu, critical details get lost. Cultural misunderstandings sink cases. We’ve seen asylum claims fail because attorneys didn’t understand why a client couldn’t return to their village in Punjab. Or why a woman from Honduras couldn’t just “move to another city” to escape gang violence.
The Notario Nightmare
If you’re searching for an immigration attorney in Queens, New York, you’ve probably seen the ads. “Notarios” promising green cards for $5,000. Immigration consultants guaranteeing citizenship. It’s all lies – and it’s destroying families across Queens.
These fake lawyers prey on desperate people. They take your money, file fraudulent documents, then disappear when ICE comes knocking. By the time you find a real attorney, you’re facing permanent bars from the United States under INA Section 212(a)(6)(C)(i). Documents you didn’t even understand you were signing become evidence against you.
We see it every week. Fatima from Jamaica, Queens paid $12,000 to someone who promised a green card through her U.S. citizen son. The fake lawyer filed the wrong forms, triggering removal proceedings instead. Now she’s permanently barred from adjustment of status under Matter of BYJ, 27 I&N Dec. 26 (BIA 2017) – even though she originally qualified.
Unlike other law firms who take on every single client, we’re selective. If we can’t help you, we’ll tell you straight up. Your life is too important for us to gamble with. When we take your case, it’s because we’ve analyzed every angle and found a path to victory.
What Happens When You Wait
Immigration deadlines are unforgiving. Miss one by a single day – just one day – and you lose rights forever. The clock is ticking on deadlines you might not even know exist.
Got a notice from USCIS? You have 30 days to respond under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8). But that’s 30 days from when they mailed it, not when you received it. Moved and didn’t update your address? You might already be in default.
Asylum applications must be filed within one year of arrival per INA Section 208(a)(2)(B). No exceptions. Been here 366 days? You’ve lost asylum eligibility unless extremely rare circumstances apply.
Appeals of immigration judge decisions – 30 days to file with the Board of Immigration Appeals under 8 CFR 1003.38. Not postmarked. Received. One day late means automatic denial and deportation.
Chen from Flushing learned this the hard way. His previous lawyer missed his asylum deadline by 48 hours. Two days. Twenty years building a restaurant business, gone because his attorney didn’t calendar correctly.
The Spodek Law Group Difference
When you hire Queens, New York, immigration lawyers from Spodek Law Group, you’re not getting paralegals or junior associates. Todd Spodek personally reviews every case. Our senior attorneys handle your hearings. The same lawyer you meet at consultation stands beside you in court.
We’re available 24/7 because immigration crises don’t follow business hours. When ICE raids happen at dawn, we answer our phones. When you get an emergency notice on Friday night, we’re already working on your response.
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve gotten deportation orders cancelled for clients other attorneys abandoned. We’ve won asylum cases judges said were impossible. We’ve reunited families separated for decades. This isn’t luck – it’s preparation, strategy, and refusing to give up.
Unlike other attorneys who care about their reputation with prosecutors and judges, our only loyalty is to you. When ICE prosecutors see our name on a case, they know they’re in for a real fight. We don’t play nice. We play to win.
What You Need to Do Right Now
Stop talking to any government officials. Every word creates evidence against you under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). Even truthful statements get twisted by prosecutors. Silence is your right – use it.
Document everything starting today. ICE comes to your door? Write down badge numbers, exact words, times. Take photos of any documents. These details become crucial evidence under Pereira v. Sessions, 138 S. Ct. 2105 (2018).
Gather every immigration document you have. Passports, visas, I-94s, notices from USCIS or court, tax returns, birth certificates – everything. Make copies. Store them separately. Original documents have a way of disappearing from government files.
Don’t sign anything. ICE agents will pressure you to sign “voluntary departure” agreements under INA Section 240B. USCIS officers push for application withdrawals. These documents waive your rights permanently. No legitimate officer will threaten you for requesting attorney review.
Call us immediately. Immigration cases move fast. A removal order can be issued in days. An appeal deadline might be next week. Every hour matters.
Why Spodek Law Group Is Your Best Choice
When you need Queens, New York, immigration lawyers who understand the life-or-death stakes of your case, you need attorneys who’ve been in the trenches. Immigration law isn’t just complex – it’s unforgiving. One missed deadline, one wrong form, one misunderstood question can mean permanent separation from your family.
Unlike other law firms who care about their reputation with prosecutors and judges, we care about YOU. We’re focused on our clients and getting them the best outcome possible. Your search is now over.
We offer comprehensive services including:
- Deportation defense and removal proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza
- Family-based petitions (I-130, I-485) and marriage green cards
- Asylum applications and withholding of removal under CAT
- DACA renewals and advance parole applications
- U-visas, T-visas, and VAWA self-petitions
- Naturalization and citizenship applications
- Federal court appeals and mandamus actions
- Emergency stays of removal and bond hearings
- Removal defense and deportation proceedings
- Family-based petitions and appeals
- Emergency representation and 24/7 availability
Our experience spans both Trump administrations – we’ve seen how immigration enforcement has evolved and we know exactly how to protect our clients in this environment. When you reach out to us, you start with a risk-free consultation where you can ask us anything.