Wildes - Safe haven in America: battles to open the golden door

Praise for Safe Haven in America

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I thank Michael Wildes for his counsel in reviewing my own path to the American Dream, for his knowledge and professional dedication, not to mention his warmth and concern. He has shown himself to be a scholar in his field.

First Lady Melania Trump

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Only once does the Hebrew Bible command us to love our neighbour. Yet on thirty-six times, it commands us to love the stranger. A neighbour is one we love because he or she is like us. A stranger is one we are taught to love precisely because he or she is not like us. Throughout this fascinating book, Michael shows his love for the stranger and his passion for opening the doors of America to the world.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi, United Kingdom

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I appreciate Leon Wildes and his son Michael from when they handled my friend John Lennons green card, right up to Michaels handling of my very own visa. Their legend as champions of international immigration is well-deserved.

Pele, soccer legend/icon

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As the cases in this book show, Michael Wildes continues the strugglein courtrooms, in the halls of government, and in front of the cameras, fighting for the values to which I hope our country will always remain true.

Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law professor and author of Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law

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I needed an expert lawyer to resolve my immigration issues, and I found him in Michael Wildes. Michaels book is a must-read for history buffs and anyone who cares at all about immigration, human rights, and dignity. Michael Wildes is a great lawyer. Loved his history and his advice! If his family was good enough for John Lennon, theyre good enough for me!

Boy George, musician/performer

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With respect to the specialized and highly complex area of immigration litigation, there is no better lawyer than Michael Wildes. Period.

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Benjamin Brafman, criminal defense lawyer

Any competent lawyer may be fine for common immigration problems. But when its a question of life or deathlike defecting from an absolutist stateId want no one but Michael Wildes on my side.

Mohammed Khilewi, Saudi diplomat/defector

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Cover design by Elmarie Jara/ABA Design.

Interior design by Amanda Fry/ABA Design.

The materials contained herein represent the opinions of the authors and/or the editors, and should not be construed to be the views or opinions of the law firms or companies with whom such persons are in partnership with, associated with, or employed by, nor of the American Bar Association, unless adopted pursuant to the bylaws of the Association.

Nothing contained in this book is to be considered as the rendering of legal advice for specific cases, and readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel. This book is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

2018 Michael Wildes. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission contact the ABA Copyrights & Contracts Department, copyright@ americanbar.org, or complete the online form at http://www.americanbar.org/utility/reprint.html.

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eISBN: 978-1-64105-190-3

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Dedicated to my parents, Ruth and Leon Wildes, both children of immigrants, with gratitude for their exceptional encouragement, guidance, and love.

Contents

The author would first and foremost like to thank the American Bar Association. It was a pleasure working with them when I wrote the foreword for my fathers book, John Lennon vs. the U.S.A., and I appreciate their recognition of the message these cases hold for those attending law school or contemplating a career in the law. Immigration has become a driving force motivating scores of young minds and talent to pursue a career in the field. In this respect, I am grateful to Melanie Leslie and all the prior deans of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law for the trust they placed in my father and me to serve as Adjunct Professors of Law for the last forty-one years, collectively. Having met my wife Amy in my Dads class and now having two of my four children in my class is a pure joy.

No words can describe the gratitude I have for my father and law partner, Leon Wildes. I have had the good fortune to second seat him my entire professional life. He inspired me to follow in his footsteps. An amazing man of great scholarship and ethics, I cherish the mere task of accompanying him to our offices. I am proud of his legacy and trust. Thanks also to Dads wife, Alice Wildes, who has shared his life and ours for more than a decade.

I would like to thank our law partner Steven Weinberg and the staff of Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. whose talent and stewardship have helped not only with the matters profiled in this work but have ensured the safety and approval of thousands of immigration clients cases. With offices in New York City, New Jersey, Florida, and California, we remain available to assist those in need of immigration counsel on business, family, litigation, compliance, and consular immigration matters (see www.wildeslaw.com).

I am most grateful for the love of my wife, Amy Messer Wildes. Her talents as a lawyer are shadowed by her extraordinary judgment and patience. She remains a true partner in everything worthy in my life and most ventures described in this work. Our love to our children Raquel Hailey, Joshua Harlan, Lauren Ruth, Jaclyn Lindsay, and to our newest additions Vicky and Aryeh and their beautiful families.

A special thank-you for the love and support from my brother, Rabbi Mark Wildes, and his wife, Jill, and their children. No doubt our mother, Ruth, though sorely missed, added her own touch to this journey and would be proud of her eight grandchildren and the love and admiration they have for their grandfather. Thank you to my in-laws Susan and Robert Messer for your continued belief and support.

To my good friend David Zedeck, thank you always for your love: believing in me and joining me on this ride. Paul Kemsley (PK) for your wit, graciousness, and love. A special note of thanks is extended to Lawrence Yudess, an accomplished immigration attorney in his own right, for his constant love, support, and Sunday morning conversations. To my mentors, Nick Doria, Larry Schatz, Ben Brafman, and to Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz for their steadfast friendship and scholarship. Through all of their referrals and trust we have fought to safeguard the constitutional underpinnings of our immigration system.

I also thank Yoko Ono Lennon, First Lady Melania Trump, soccer icon Pele, and the many other talents for their trust and friendship. Thank you to Bill McCay, a talented writer, and our agent, John Willig, who worked faithfully to ensure the publication of this most important work.