Managing Partner Michael Wildes is pleased to announce that the firm has successfully obtained a U visa for the victim of a gun point hold up. The nonimmigrant U visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
“Our firm is pleased to report that this week, we were able to obtain U visa status for Mr. Shimon Lugasi and his wife. Eight years ago, in August of 2012, Mr. Lugasi was working at his sports apparel store in Brooklyn, when an armed assailant walked in, held a gun against Mr. Lugasi’s temple and threatened to kill him if he didn’t comply. The episode left him understandably distressed, not only because he nearly lost his life, but because he did not have immigration status in the United States and feared calling the police. However, he bravely cooperated with law enforcement to catch and prosecute the perpetrator, who had been involved in a string of robberies. Thankfully, we were able to reward Mr. Lugasi’s bravery by applying for a U visa under the auspices of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. When we first applied in 2015, U visas were being processed in about two years, which is a long time. But as we waited for his case to be adjudicated, the processing time increased, all the way to where it stands today at about five years. Additionally, USCIS challenged certain aspects of our case, but we were able to overcome those challenges and prevail. Today, Mr. Lugasi and his wife can breathe a sigh of relief. Our firm is built for long, tough fights, and our clients trust us throughout the process, no matter how long and difficult. Our clients know our history, they know we’ve prevailed in hard cases before, and they know we’ll do it again. Thank you for your bravery Mr. Lugasi, we’re honored to have you and your wife among us.”
Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. was founded in 1960 by Michael’s father, Leon Wildes, whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings (the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries). The firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law, has a distinguished domestic and international clientele, and can assist with any type of immigration matter including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications, all temporary and permanent type visas, and U.S. citizenship.
In addition to running a highly successful immigration law practice, Michael is also currently serving his third term as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, is the author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field), is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, and serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms. Moreover, Michael is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, photographers, stylists, and literary agents. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include scholar Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, as well as soccer icon Pele, Master Chef Jean-Georges and First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Today the firm of Wildes & Weinberg has offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and a presence in Los Angeles, California, and continues to maintain its stellar reputation in the field of U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.
For more information on our firm please visit www.wildeslaw.com or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.
