Unity in Diversity

One of the aspects of practicing immigration law in the United States that I love the most is the opportunity to learn from people from all over the world.  Even as I advise them on how to solve their immigration problems and attempt to build a stable foundation for their lives in this country, I take the time to learn from them - things you can't really read on Wikipedia.  Over the years it's created in me a unique respect and love for humanity as a whole.

My schooling instilled inside me a profound respect for diversity.  My understanding of diversity is a moderate one, drawn on my faith and education: diversity does not mean disorder, it means creating unity.  It's different people coming together to upload their human capital into a single society.  And it's a powerful concept: every financial planner will tell you to diversify your portfolio, every nutritionist will tell you to include all 4 major food groups, and every fitness guru will tell you to switch up your routine.

Which is why I love practicing immigration law in the United States.  Even the name of our country - united and states  - rather literally signifies this concept of unity in diversity.  Our country is a cross section of humanity like no other.  To me, enriching this magnificent diversity is the highest ideal of being American.

My law practice is not a large one.  But I've managed to work with nationals of 115 countries around the world - and counting.  I take the time - in the middle of a consultation - to share with my client something I've learned about their country, or let them explain a custom or a saying or teach me a few words in their language, or share a similar custom from my own cultures.  

Cliché as it sounds, I've come to appreciate that our similarities grossly outweigh our differences.  We all come here to achieve something.  We all want to take care of our loved ones.  Most of our day-to-day goals are very similar.  And yes - we even break the law in very similar ways.  

But the differences are the spice, the icing on the cake, the masala, the stuff to be savored.  

I've been asked many times, "So where are most of your clients from?"  Some assume South Asia, since that is my own ethnic heritage.  Some assume Hispanic.    

I'm always very proud to say, "They're from everywhere." 

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List of Countries

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
 Cambodia
 Cameroon
 Canada
 Central African Republic
Chile
China
 Colombia
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
 Djibouti
 Dominica
Ecuador 
Egypt
 El Salvador
 Eritrea
 Ethiopia
 Gabon
The Gambia
 Georgia
 Germany
 Ghana
 Greece
 Guatemala
Guinea
 Guyana
 Haiti
 Honduras
Hungary
 India
 Indonesia
 Iran
 Iraq
 Israel
 Italy
 Jamaica
 Japan
 Jordan
Kazakhstan
 Kenya
Kosovo
 South Korea
Kuwait
​Kyrgyzstan
Laos
 Lebanon
 Liberia
 Libya
 Malaysia
 Mali
 Mauritania
 Mexico
 Moldova
Monaco
 Mongolia
 Montenegro
 Morocco
Myanmar
 Nepal
The Netherlands
 Nicaragua
Niger 
​Nigeria
Northern Cyprus
 Oman
 Pakistan
 Palestine
 Peru
The Philippines
 Poland
Portugal
 Qatar
 Romania
 Russia
 Saudi Arabia
 Senegal
 Serbia
 Sierra Leone
Slovakia
 Somalia
South Africa
Spain
 Sri Lanka
 The Sudan
South Sudan
Suriname
 Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
 Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
 Tunisia
 Turkey
Uganda
The Ukraine
 United Arab Emirates
 United Kingdom
 Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
 Yemen