JOURNEYS FROM THERE TO HERE

An immigration lawyer shares client stories.

In this debut nonfiction book, Cohen relates the tales of several of the people she represented as an immigration attorney at a leading law firm, some paying clients and others pro bono. The stories reveal a range of experiences, from refugees seeking political asylum to middle-class professionals immigrating by choice. Several of the author’s clients qualified for “extraordinary ability” status, including an Albanian writer, an Asian violinist, and a Honduran school principal, while others followed more mundane paths, which Cohen still depicts in detail, showing each individual’s merit. The case studies also examine the complicated and often bureaucratic process of establishing legal status, permanent residency, and citizenship, revealing how a single sympathetic or disdainful immigration officer can determine a person’s fate. Although the epilogue offers some suggestions for activism and a broader look at immigration rules, the book approaches the issue from the perspective of individual cases rather than policy, an effective method of addressing a complex and often emotional topic. The author’s personal interest in and respect for all her clients is evident (“I felt fiercely protective of him, a feeling I have about all my clients who face life-altering consequences if their cases fail,” she explains at one point), making it easy for readers to connect with each case she profiles. Throughout her book, written with Taylor, Cohen reminds readers that her position at a major law firm allowed her clients access to more connections and influence than most people have. The concluding pages suggest ways in which the immigration process can be made more equitable. The writing is strong, and readers of legal dramas will enjoy the tales of racing to courthouses, developing winning strategies, and waiting for verdicts. Readers who are unfamiliar with immigration law will find the volume extremely informative without being overly technical, while those with knowledge of the process will not consider it too simple. The focus on the clients’ experiences makes the book broadly appealing.

A well-written look at how immigration works on an individual level.