John is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the complex world of immigration law with confidence and peace of mind. He has an accomplished reputation in the practice of removal and deportation defense services, including representing clients before institutions such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). His dedication and commitment provide assurance during difficult times.
John’s experienced with a wide range of immigration matters and applications, encompassing everything from guiding clients through interviews to representing them in asylum hearings, Master Calendar and Merits (Individual) Hearings. He’s frequently presented compelling briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals, drafted supplemental statements, rebutted Notices of Intent to Deny and crafted persuasive responses to Requests for Evidence, ensuring his clients' cases are presented with utmost clarity and effectiveness.
John previously worked as an attorney for the Hiscock Legal Aid Society in Syracuse, where he supported clients appearing before USCIS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), on issues such as legal permanent residency applications, special juvenile immigrant applications, U-visa applications, VAWA visa applications, asylum applications, work authorization renewals and more. He also represented unaccompanied minors, incapacitated persons and their guardians in New York Family and Surrogates Court in guardianship proceedings in connection with their immigration cases.
John benefited from a plethora of notable global experiences on his way to becoming a seasoned immigration attorney. He previously served as an intern at a law office in Beirut, Lebanon, and for the Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division in Beirut, where he conducted interviews with refugees, victims of the Syrian conflict and witnesses to human rights and humanitarian law violations, as well as collected evidence of Russian air strikes in Syria using social media and other online tools. He also served as an intern at the United Nations, Economic & Social Council for Western Asia, where he drafted memos on contractual guidelines for entering into partnerships with other organizations/member country institutions and authored evaluation and policy briefs, memoranda and promotional materials.
He has also worked with the Office of United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen; the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Middle East Center; as an election monitor for the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections; and as a research intern with the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs.
John, who speaks English, Arabic and French, has a deeply rooted dedication to providing personalized attention, tailored solutions and compassionate representation. He understands each client's immigration journey is unique and often carries profound personal significance. He’s committed to protecting liberty, preserving families and defending futures.