Immigration and Nationality Law – Vermont Law Firm, Holman Immigration

Holman Immigration Law -

Interview

Immigration and Nationality Law – Vermont Law Firm, Holman Immigration

In this discerning interview, Leslie A. Holman, founder and leader of Holman Immigration Law, shares her journey into Immigration and Nationality Law. She reflects on the path that led her to specialize in this complex field, driven by a passion that emerged organically through her social interactions and her passion for dancing. Leslie candidly discusses the challenges she has faced as a woman in law and how she navigates the emotional aspects of her work while maintaining a high level of professional effectiveness. With a practice spanning both family and corporate immigration, Leslie offers valuable insights into the rewarding impact of her work, particularly in uniting people and promoting diversity.

As the leader of Holman Immigration Law, could you share what inspired you to specialize in Immigration and Nationality Law?

I did not set out to become an immigration lawyer. In fact, when I graduated from law school, I was uncertain about what I wanted to do with my degree. It was the late 1980s and I, like many others, was lured to Wall Street and recruited for, among other things, corporate transactional work. While I found it interesting, it did not “move” me.

Ironically, what moved me most was dance. I have danced for more than half my life, and despite my grueling work schedule as a young lawyer, I still found time to attend dance and/or drum classes three times a week. My chosen form of dance is West African and at dance classes dancers and drummers would ask me questions about their immigration status. They saw me as a resource because in addition to being a dancer and lawyer, I also spoke French. The problem was that I didn’t know immigration law.

I referred them to those who did, however, they continued to come to me with questions and/or requests to clarify what their lawyer had said. In trying to explain to them what they had been provided I quickly realized that the complexity and rigidity of immigration made it almost impossible for people to navigate the system, even when they had help, let alone if they did not have counsel. I also saw the desperation of many as I learned their stories. I realized that I stayed up late to help not because I had to for “work” but because I had to, for them. Thus, in 1998 I decided to limit my focus to immigration, and I have never looked back.

Reflecting on your journey in the legal profession, what have been some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced as a woman in law, and how have you overcome them?

March full speed ahead, don’t take no for answer, there is nothing you can’t do! When I became a lawyer in 1988 I didn’t really think about whether the profession was open to me or whether my gender raised barriers. In hindsight, perhaps there were unseen or latent obstacles, but I truly did not even contemplate their existence. I was lucky, people such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg blazed the trail for me.

In answering this question I did remember that as a trial lawyer in the early 90’s I was mistaken for the court reporter at a deposition, referred to as the “secretary” because I had a pencil and pad in hand (I still remember and use those) but I didn’t pay attention or let them get in the way. I just kept going and did what I felt best.

I also that think that those who practice in this field are likely more aware of the issues surrounding bias and discrimination. I often say that immigration lawyers are really social workers in disguise. We collectively work to bring families together, save people from harm, and assist employers who desperately need the talent that immigrants provide. Our area of practice is based on the concept of acceptance and equality and those that enter into this field already have that as a framework. Thus, and I posit that if gender bias is a concern or has already posed an obstacle for a new lawyer, immigration may be the most accepting of all legal specialties.

Immigration law is constantly evolving. How do you stay ahead of the curve in terms of legal developments and policy changes to best serve your clients?

Staying on top of legal developments in immigration is perhaps one of the most difficult things about this area of practice. Legal developments, however, include not only changes to the laws and regulations but rather the processes and procedures that must be followed to comply with law. For example, on January 31, 2024 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) issued a final rule that on April 1st of this year, changed almost all of its filing fees. The short notice was not so much the problem but rather for many types of filings it was literally impossible to determine what fees were now required. While we were ultimately able to obtain additional necessary guidance from USCIS, for clients whose cases had to be filed prior to the clarifications, we literally had to make what we hoped were educated guesses.

While in most areas of law an educated guess is a reasonable thing on which to rely, in this area it is not as immigration is perhaps the most unforgiving. In tax it is possible to file for an extension if you need more time. You can correct an error with an amendment. Both of these are rarely possible in immigration.

In addition, there is little “uniformity” in procedure or adjudication. Officers in all areas have vast discretion and every USCIS office, U.S. Port of Entry, and U.S. Consulate has its own specific requirements. In most instances there is no way to contact a live being for clarification. of applications there is no or no easy opportunity for review or appeal. Thus, not only is it important to stay abreast of all changes it is imperative.

I served as the President of The American Immigration Lawyer’s Association’s (“AILA”) from 2014-2015 and I remain an active member for it Board of Directors. I became involved with AILA because I truly believe that to practice in this area membership is the most important “tool” you can have. Among so many other things it provides daily critical updates on immigration laws, Practice Pointers on older and emerging issues, access to mentors, sub-topic list serves and, constant roundtables and learning opportunities.

To ensure that we are as informed as possible I read updates on immigration law daily. AILA’s Recent Update’s page is my “home page.” I am also a member of AILA’s Business Immigration Law’s Steering Committee. We discuss current trends in immigration, oversee a list serve, and provide round tables during which we provide answers to members on current and trending issues. My work with and for AILA benefits its members and my clients.

In addition, we have stringent checklists and procedures that our office follows in every case, and we never rely on doing something a particular way because we did it that way the week before. We check form fees and edition dates the day that we put something in the mail. We routinely check the status of cases to ensure that we don’t miss something time-sensitive. When we see that a change has occurred that might impact a client, we reach out to them to let them know while the waters may be roiling, we are continuing to navigate for them.

In your work with individuals, employers, employees, and corporations, what do you consider the most rewarding aspect of your immigration practice?

My practice is split between family and corporate immigration. Each brings with it a unique benefit. When it comes to family-based immigration, I have had the benefit of, among other things, seeing families reunited, victims of trafficking saved, and children receiving the benefit of meeting a grandparent in person or receiving desperately needed critical medical care. Because of the depth of information and time required to prepare an immigration case and see it to fruition, you tend to know so many intricate details about someone’s life. You have been an integral part of someone’s journey. My clients tend to send updates and greetings for years and years after the conclusion of their case because they consider us part of their U.S. “family.” There is nothing more rewarding.

With regard to corporate immigration, our clients would never go through the difficult processes required to hire if they did not need to talent and dedication that foreign born workers offer. So many, call us and their first sentences involved telling us how important the foreign worker is to them and that they are already “family” or an integral part of their team.

As I think about on it, the common denominator is that whether it be family or corporate immigration it is a uniting of people and an educator of the value of diversity. One of the most important lessons these past few difficult years have taught is that we need to embrace, accept, and treasure our differences. We were founded as a melting pot. It made us who we are. Through my clients I experience first-hand people embracing a world where differences are viewed as a positive rather than a negative.

Could you describe a particularly memorable case or project that highlighted the impact of your work on an individual’s life or a community?

A quick and easy answer would be to say that we literally rejoice in each and every approval we receive as again, you know so many details of your client’s lives that it feels personal.

However, I was recently able to quickly help someone in critical need. A woman who was visiting the U.S. with her husband for three months when immediately before they were to depart he had a major stroke. The laws are such that there was literally no way for her to remain in the U.S. while has in the hospital. Thus, she would without our assistance have had to return to her home country and seek to then reenter. Unfortunately, there was no way to guarantee that she would be permitted to do so. I was able to work with local U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and they provided a special accommodation and also agreed to provide further assistance if additional time was needed. Not only was this a win for my client but I felt that it was a win for one of my career accomplishments, working not only with clients but with the government.

The legal field, particularly specialties like immigration law, can be emotionally taxing and often involves high-states situations. How do you manage the stress and emotional aspects of your work while maintaining a high level of professional effectiveness?

Good question and I am not sure I do it as successfully as I would like. As I stated earlier, I have danced for more than half of my life and it was ultimately led to decision to enter this field of law. Physical movement is an outlet for me, and I make sure to include it in my schedule almost every day. I am fortunate in that I live in Vermont and New Hampshire have easy and immediate access to the great outdoors. If I cannot attend a dance class I will make time for a walk along the rivers near my homes. For a bit of time during each day, I look at what’s around me and take in only the beauty and serenity of my surroundings. It recharges and grounds me. It allows me to approach upcoming difficulties with a bit of calm.

In addition, every morning I take a few minutes to read “The Daily Stoic” and I try to apply its principles to what I do. It helps, a lot.

Given Vermont’s close proximity to Canada, could you share insights into common reasons and processes involved for Canadians seeking immigration assistance through your firm, and how does this impact your approach to their cases?

Canadian immigration issues are interesting in that certain of our laws can be unintendedly harsh for those who live nearby. For example, two individuals who live literally 25 miles apart but who are divided by a border may develop a relationship that turns into marriage. They developed their relationship by visiting with each other. Once engaged and/or married, however, their ability to visit each other may be curtailed while they wait for the process (which is often at least two years) that will allow them finally to join their partner.

I am fortunate in that for almost thirty years I’ve been able to liaise successfully with our local ports of entry. My knowledge and access to procedures and trends allow me to prepare and assist clients in managing a seemingly interminable or nonsensical process, especially when the laws are not clear and enforcement can seem arbitrary. As a result, the majority of our Canadian clients continue to be able to at least visit their loved ones while their cases pend.

Further, Canadians are considered “non-controlled” visitors to the U.S. which means that their entrances and exits to and from the U.S. do not need to be recorded and they, unlike other nationalities, do not need to be provided with a specific departure date. Changes implemented in 2013 however, resulted in the recording of such entrances and the provision of a specific departure date for a Canadian may be entirely unaware. Further, even if no specific date of departure is provided one branch of the Department of Homeland Security takes the position that even if no specific departure date was provided an individual can be barred from reentering the U.S. again for either 3 or 10 years for presumably overstaying a date for which there is no record.

We provide thousands of Canadians with the tools they need so that they can successfully, manage continued travel to the U.S. without hitting an invisible wall.

What advice would you offer to young women in considering a career I law, especially in specialized fields such as immigration law?

When I first started practicing law, there was little talk of “life balance” or “taking care of yourself.” Rather, you started out of the gate running and knew that for many years your life would not be your own. Thankfully, I think that this has changed and might be one upshot of the recent pandemic. No matter what we do for “work” we need also to take care of ourselves and our families and this has to be part of our work equation.

That is not to say that there won’t be times when they need to put a client’s work first because of a strict deadline, but even in those times, it is possible to incorporate family. I rarely, if ever, missed having dinner with my children. If I could not get away, they came to the office, and we “picnicked” at the conference room table. While on AILA’s executive committee, I traveled frequently. I taught my kids about where I was going and told them what I was hoping to accomplish. They felt connected to me and the world. They asked questions. When I could, I brought them.

There are so many life lessons to be learned in this field such as the importance of diversity, human rights, politics, and cultural uniqueness sharing them with one’s family and children will provide them with tools they need to become caring conscious and kind beings. It will also and most importantly allow them to enjoy their career and look at it as positive and not an interruption.

Looking to the future, what are your aspirations for Holman Immigration Law, and how do you envision your practice evolving to meet the changing needs of your clients?

If you listen to or read any news it should come as no surprise that our country’s immigration laws are in desperate need of overhaul. Unfortunately, the lives of the most deserving and have been stymied by politics. Immigration is one of the top and most divisive items on political agendas. Our laws, practices and procedures for immigration could change quickly and drastically. We are already gearing up to anticipate potential changes based on prior administrations so that we can be ahead of the game and guide our clients correctly.