Empathy Led Me to Become an Immigration Lawyer

ÑÜËØÞݲ˿Chiemelie Ezeobi

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What has been your experience as a lawyer in immigration area?

MRussian-Ukraine igration is complex and has far-reaching implication in every aspect of human existence. The ongoing unprovoked

war speaks to this, and particularly its devastating effect on the global community. I believe we can do much better, and we owe it to one another to make the world a better place worth living.

Many leave their country of origin in pursuit of a better future. This decision is complex, though “inspired by confidence and hope” as Pope Francis succinctly puts it. The drive to press on is marked by great expectation in the face of obvious challenges - the loss of social and familial network, the guilt and trauma of separation, depression, discrimination, and marginalisation are contributory to the devastating effect of migration and wish it could all be avoidable.

Practicing immigration law in the United States is a privilege. I am honored to meet with clients from different walks of life and their story reveal such level of resilience and tenacity to succeed and provide a sustainable lifestyle for themselves and their family.

Studies show the U.S. has been the main country of destination for international migrants since 1970 particularly for the African migrants. The Pew Research Center estimates that there are 2.1 million African immigrants living in the U.S. in 2015, up from 881,000 in 2000 and a substantial increase from 1970 when the U.S. was home to only 80,000 foreign-born Africans.

On the Nigerian population, it is estimated that the U.S. has the world’s third largest Nigerian community, only behind Nigeria itself and the United Kingdom where up to three million Nigerians reside.

Nigerians are professionals. They work very hard, provide for their loved ones, help stimulate the economy, and in the same breath are beneficiaries of a working government marked by good governance, respect for the rule of law where no one is above the law, including the government which helps instill a decent of conformity among the citizenry; sustainable infrastructural development; affordable social amenities, great education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, healthcare and more. The whole idea is that everyone has a role, and a demand is placed on all to act accordingly.

Yes, it is not all a bed of roses because no government is immune from problem but at least it is much better than an environment plagued with heightened insecurity, failed healthcare system, impoverished and stagnant educational system and a host of other issues of concern among the populace.

My experience in U.S. immigration law began in the Spring of 2008 after a short unpaid internship at the Law Offices of John Bell, a seasoned attorney who is referred to as “practicing law religiously” because he bought a church and turned it to a law office! Glory! The immigration experience was from working at the Law Office of Jane Ho, where I was exposed to sound immigration advocacy, a path that led to my current passion. Ms. Ho provided very personal and top-notch service to clients, who were mostly of the Asian descent. She was grounded in the law and her added ability to speak Mandarin was a plus which earned her the trust of her clients.

This resonated so much and became my template. The desire to replicate the ethos of her practice became

a driving force, and being an immigrant myself, I took that as a challenge and a starting point to give back to my community.

I hung out my shingles in 2008 with cold feet. Despite being admitted to the Maryland Bar, with a Master at law ( LLM) from Georgetown University Law Center and New York Bar in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Still, I felt unprepared. However, the final push came when my very good friend, and colleague, Attorney Greg Lee, provided the framework and support needed to kick off my solo practice which is today known as “The Preferred Global Law LLC”.

My decision to practice immigration law is based on empathy. As an immigrant myself, I saw the need for adequate representation of migrants, and I chose to create constant awareness through seminars premised on the fact that knowledge is power, and many perish for its lack thereof.

Undoubtedly, the U.S. Immigration law is complex, so it behooves anyone involved in the process to seek counsel not from “aunts” “uncles” or friends” but from experienced and seasoned immigration attorneys. For me, it is a privilege to provide top-notch, personal and knowledge-based “representation with a passion.”

You must have dealt with a lot of issues involving Nigerians. What are some of the interesting Immigration cases?

In the course of my practice over this past 14 years, I have represented many clients from different nationalities especially from the African countries. Without delving into specifics, I have represented clients in several family, employment, and investment-based processes. Specifically, I have represented clients both in adjustment and consular processing; spousal-based filings, parent-child; siblings petition, VAWA cases; K-visas, special immigrant cases involving family members of employee of international organization, abused, neglected, or abandoned children; student visas, religious visas, H-1B, labor certification, in citizenship and naturalisation-based process with applicants for medical disability waiver.

Additionally, I have successfully represented clients in removal and deportation proceedings, and more importantly, I feel a sense of fulfillment when my clients take that final oath, becoming proud citizens of the United States. For me, helping others achieve their goal in life is mission accomplished.

Why did you choose Immigration Law as specialty?

Most applicants for immigration related services are migrants. They need to be guided within regulatory measures. In practice, I see many people suffer the consequences of gross misinformation and documentation-related challenges. I want to change this narrative by taking preventive and not curative measures to address the concerns of clients.

I understood very early in life - thanks to my parents, that “knowledge is power”, and more importantly, a stitch in time saves nine! It is imperative that folks should understand that the U. S. immigration process is not all about filling forms. It involves very intricate aspect

of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which seasoned immigration attorneys can help with.

As someone who loves Nigeria and visits regularly, why do you choose to live in America?

I chose to live in America because my immediate family member resides in the States. Family unity is a big principle of the U.S. immigration law and I want to live up to this principle. Studies show that migration significantly impairs the psychological and mental well-being of children particularly when the mother is absent.

As a mother, I have a minor child who needs me. So yes, I love to visit Nigeria regularly, I believe in Nigeria, and pray that God’s grace will continue to abound over Nigeria until she becomes a praise in the earth. The scripture enjoins us about timing, and I know it will happen. I believe it and look forward to giving back to my country when the opportunity presents itself.

The founding fathers must return to the old landmarks to rebuild, reclaim, and return the prized possession of Nigeria to its rightful position.

According to the 2019 African Community Survey (ACS), an estimated 461,695 U.S. residents are of Nigerian ancestry. A journal article titled, “Nigerians’ Migration to the United States: A Contemporary Perspective” by Sunday Israel Oyebamiji and others, noted that the dominant motive for Nigerian’s migration is the “the quest for career development through the acquisition of western education.”

An enabling environment can be created to actualize the same objective, but it will require sustainable reforms and an overhauling of the structure to birth a new country, one that the world is waiting to see.

You are studying for a PhD. Can you tell us more about your quest for knowledge?

I love to study. Growing up, I had a pet name “iwe” which means boog. I started school at 3years in the company of my mother (Late mother, Ms. Victoria Ibironke Ayinde) who was the head head of household at the time, and if you can imagine being , the “headmistress daughter” I was loved by everyone.

In total, I attended about five primary schools (not because I failed, lol!) She transformed every school she led and was truly loved by many. I attended Ahmadiyya School, Olushi, Lagos, where I was showered with much love being “the headmistress daughter.” I got many gifts, which was mostly “Gala” which explains my robustness (lol)! Next, I attended Mushin Town Council Primary School, (MTC), Falomo Girls’ School, Ikoyi; and, finally Victoria Island Primary School, (VIPS) Victoria Island, Lagos, with my late mum as the principal. She adopted the motto of the school as “Knowledge is Power”, and that shaped the trajectory of her life as well as mine.

The former “Maroko” was her base. She would go into the market, from one seller to another, “selling them the idea of educating their wards.” She got uniforms for many children, encouraged parents that trading was not ruled out, and that their kids will go to school in the morning, and help with trading in the evening.

So many parents bought into this idea, and it became a case of “killing two birds with a stone.” She also took part in politics – ran for councillorship in Victoria Island constituency, fasted many days, and went on campaign, her mandate being “education for all.” She was, however, unsuccessful. This is what I grew up to knowing as education. At the time, my father, a former Director of Library at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari Abuja, now 84 years old was a great disciplinarian, and God help you, if you miss school, or did not do well, today all is history, but knowledge continues to be a powerful weapon against poverty, and other ills of society.

That is my background of education. To God be the glory, my parents dream was realized, and today I have some of my siblings who are professors, medical doctor, registered nurse, computer scientist; attorney; economist and a chartered public accountant.

Later, I went on to Victoria Island Secondary School, (VISS) Victoria Island Lagos; and the Lagos State University, Ojo, for my law degree in 1997. In 1999, I completed the one-year mandatory Law School at the campus in Bwari, Abuja (the first set at the location) and still I wanted more.

I had the opportunity of relocating to the United States on February 14, 2001. I got married but knew there was more to life. I obtained my Master at Law (LLM) in International Studies at the Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. in 2006. I was admitted to practice law in the States of New York and Maryland in 2005 and 2007 respectively and wanted to continue my education to the PHD level in 2006 but did not get the much-needed support at the time.

For me, acquiring western education was the only reason for coming to the U.S. My dearest brother, our “olori-ebi” in the person of Professor Alfred Adebayo Malomo, a Clinical Professor and Geriatrician with the Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, New York, USA would throw jabs at me saying, “one day my dearest baby sister would accomplish her postgraduate dream.”

He was watering the seed, the desire within me. Though not overbearing, he kept the flame alive in me, and from time to time, I would ask God for guidance.

The right time came in the Spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 global pandemic hit the world. I remember sitting in my living room one afternoon and asking, “what would I remember this pandemic for? Immediately, I heard a whisper, your PHD! I swung into action; and the rest is history. I am grateful to God for the support from immediate family members, brothers and sisters, cherished friends, which am a year into the doctoral program at the Old Dominion University, Norfolk Virginia, USA in the area of Conflict and Cooperation with keen focus on Migration and Human Security.

I hope to use the knowledge and my experience through the course of the program to highlight and address the root causes of migration with a view to curb it and reduce brain drainage in emerging economies. A thousand miles they say, begins with one step. I am glad I took that step! I know that God’s grace, and wisdom abounds.