NYC Immigration Lawyer Serving New York’s Immigrant Communities Since 1985

MANHATTAN, NY — July 9, 2026 — John Nicelli & Associates, a leading NYC immigration lawyer serving individuals and families across the five boroughs and the greater New York metropolitan area, is proud to mark more than 40 years of dedicated immigration legal practice. Since 1985, the firm has guided thousands of clients through some of the most consequential moments of their lives — helping them secure green cards, defend against deportation, reunite with family members, and pursue United States citizenship.

The milestone comes at a pivotal moment for immigrants across New York City. U.S. immigration policy has continued to shift in 2025 and into 2026, creating new challenges and uncertainties for individuals navigating visa applications, removal proceedings, and naturalization. For many New Yorkers, knowing where to turn — and having a trusted immigration attorney NYC residents have relied upon for decades— can make all the difference.

“Our commitment to the New York community has never wavered. Over 40 years, immigration law has changed dramatically, but our mission has remained the same: to stand beside our clients with honesty, integrity, and a relentless drive to achieve the best possible outcome.” — John A. Nicelli, Founding Immigration Attorney, John Nicelli & Associates

Meet John A. Nicelli: The NYC Immigration Attorney Behind 40 Years of Client Success

John A. Nicelli, Esq. is not just an immigration attorney — he is the son of immigrants who built a career around the very community he came from. That personal connection to the immigrant experience has shaped every aspect of his practice and the firm he founded at 225 Broadway in the heart of New York City.

Mr. Nicelli earned his Juris Doctor from Western State University School of Law and has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for over 40 years — a credential that places him among a select group of attorneys with decades of sustained involvement in the field at the national level. Before founding John Nicelli & Associates, he spent several years exclusively practicing deportation defense for a nonprofit organization, giving him frontline experience defending some of New York’s most vulnerable immigrant populations at a time when few attorneys were willing to take on those cases.

Today, Mr. Nicelli is recognized as one of New York City’s top immigration attorneys, having been named among the Best Immigration Lawyers in New York City by Expertise.com and honored by Top Attorneys of North America. His areas of deep expertise span employment-based immigration, family-based immigration, deportation defense, citizenship and naturalization, waivers of inadmissibility, and nonimmigrant visas — making him one of the few NYC immigration attorneys with genuine command across every major category of U.S. immigration law.

What distinguishes Mr. Nicelli from other immigration attorneys in New York City is his approach to each case. He and his team review every client’s situation with meticulous attention to detail, are always realistic about available legal solutions, and leave no stone unturned in pursuing the best possible outcome. His client reviews reflect this — from stopping deportations that other attorneys said were impossible, to reuniting families, securing green cards, and guiding clients through the full naturalization process to U.S. citizenship.

An Immigration Law Firm Built on Four Decades of Results

Founded in 1985 and headquartered at 225 Broadway, Suite 1040 in Lower Manhattan, John Nicelli & Associates has built a reputation as one of New York City’s most experienced and trusted immigration law firms. The firm handles a comprehensive range of immigration matters, including:

• Family-based immigration — Helping U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsor relatives for green cards. Whether through immediate relative petitions or preference categories, a family immigration lawyer provides full-service support from initial filing through final approval.

• Employment-based immigration — Assisting individuals and their sponsoring employers with H-1B visas, PERM labor certifications, Form I-140 petitions, and other employment-based pathways to lawful permanent residence.

• Deportation defense and immigration litigation — When clients receive a Notice to Appear (NTA), time is critical. The firm’s deportation defense practice draws on decades of courtroom experience to pursue bond hearings, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, asylum, and other forms of relief.

• Citizenship and naturalization — Guiding eligible clients through every step of the naturalization process, including preparation of Form N-400, interview readiness, and USCIS communications. The firm’s citizenship and naturalization practice has helped countless individuals achieve the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship.

• Nonimmigrant visas — Advising clients on K-1 fiancé visas, F-1 student visas, B-1/B-2 visitor visas, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, and more.

• Waivers of inadmissibility — Helping clients overcome prior bars to entry through Form I-601, Form I-601A, and Form I-212 applications.

• E-1 and E-2 investor visas — Providing strategic guidance to treaty traders and investors seeking to establish or expand business operations in New York City.

• U-Visas — Assisting victims of crimes in obtaining immigration relief through cooperation with law enforcement.

Immigration Lawyers Providing Multilingual Support for NYC’s Diverse Immigrant Population

New York City is home to one of the most diverse immigrant populations in the world, and John Nicelli & Associates has long recognized that language access is essential to effective legal representation. The firm serves clients in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Italian, ensuring that complex legal concepts are communicated clearly and that no client is left without the support they need due to a language barrier.

This multilingual capability has made the immigration firm a trusted resource for immigrant communities from Latin America, Brazil, Poland, Italy, and beyond — communities that collectively represent a significant portion of NYC’s immigrant population.

Immigration Attorneys Offering Same-Day Appointments for Urgent Immigration Matters

Immigration cases do not always allow for leisurely timelines. A Notice to Appear can arrive without warning. A visa denial can jeopardize years of planning. Detention can separate families within hours. Understanding the urgency that many clients face, the immigration attorneys at John Nicelli & Associates offer same-day appointments for clients with pressing immigration needs.

Consultations are available in person at the firm’s Lower Manhattan office, by phone, or via videoconferencing — making legal access as convenient as possible for busy New Yorkers and clients located outside the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Immigration Legal Services

What types of cases does a NYC immigration lawyer at John Nicelli & Associates handle?

The firm handles a broad range of immigration matters, including family-based green cards, employment-based visas, deportation defense, citizenship and naturalization, waivers of inadmissibility, E-1 and E-2 investor visas, U-Visas, and nonimmigrant visas such as H-1B, K-1, and O-1.

How long has John Nicelli & Associates been practicing immigration law in New York City?

The firm was founded in 1985 and has more than 40 years of continuous immigration law experience serving clients in New York City and across the United States.

Does John Nicelli & Associates offer consultations in languages other than English?

Yes. The firm provides legal consultations and services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Italian.

Where is John Nicelli & Associates located?

The firm’s office is located at 225 Broadway, Suite 1040, New York, NY 10007 — in the heart of Lower Manhattan, accessible from throughout the five boroughs.

Can John Nicelli & Associates help with deportation defense in New York City?

Yes. The immigration lawyers at John Nicelli & Associates have extensive experience representing clients in removal proceedings before immigration courts, including pursuing cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, and other forms of relief.

What should I do if I receive a Notice to Appear?

Contact John Nicelli & Associates as soon as possible. The firm offers same-day appointments for urgent matters and can begin building a defense strategy immediately. Call (212) 227-8020.

Is it worth it to hire an immigration lawyer?

For most people, hiring an experienced immigration attorney is one of the most important decisions they can make. U.S. immigration law is extraordinarily complex, and even minor errors on applications can result in delays, denials, or deportation proceedings. An experienced NYC immigration lawyer like John A. Nicelli can identify the strongest legal strategy for your situation, avoid costly mistakes, and significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome — whether you are applying for a green card, defending against removal, or pursuing U.S. citizenship.

Can ICE deport permanent residents?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can be deported under certain circumstances, including criminal convictions, fraud in the immigration process, or violations of immigration law. A Notice to Appear does not mean deportation is inevitable, however. An experienced immigration attorney can evaluate the grounds for removal and pursue relief options such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, asylum, or other defenses. If you or a loved one is a permanent resident facing removal proceedings in New York City, contact John Nicelli & Associates immediately at (212) 227-8020.

What is the 7 year rule for immigration?

The 7-year rule most commonly refers to one of the eligibility requirements for Cancellation of Removal for non-permanent residents. To qualify, an individual must have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years — not 7. However, the “7-year rule” is also referenced in the context of the stop-time rule, which can halt the clock on continuous residence when a Notice to Appear is issued, and in certain waiver applications where the passage of time since a prior offense is considered. Because these rules are highly fact-specific, it is critical to consult with a qualified NYC immigration attorney to understand how they apply to your individual case.

How much is an immigration lawyer in New York?

Immigration attorney fees in New York City vary depending on the complexity of the case and the type of matter involved. Simple applications may cost a few hundred dollars in legal fees, while complex cases such as deportation defense, employment-based green cards, or waivers of inadmissibility can involve higher fees reflecting the level of work required. At John Nicelli & Associates, they are committed to providing honest, transparent guidance on legal costs during your consultation. To discuss your case and learn about fees, contact their immigration law firm today.

Can a lawyer guarantee green card approval?

No ethical immigration attorney can guarantee green card approval, and any lawyer who promises a guaranteed outcome should be approached with serious caution. Green card decisions are made exclusively by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are based on the specific facts of each case, applicable law, and current immigration policy. What an experienced NYC immigration attorney can do is build the strongest possible application on your behalf, anticipate potential issues before they arise, respond effectively to requests for evidence, and pursue every available legal avenue to maximize your chances of approval. At John Nicelli & Associates, their immigration lawyers are always transparent with their clients about the realistic prospects of their case — because honesty, integrity, and results-driven advocacy are the foundation of everything they do. 

About John Nicelli & Associates

John Nicelli & Associates is a full-service immigration law firm headquartered in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1985 by immigration attorney John A. Nicelli, the firm has spent more than four decades helping immigrants from around the world navigate the United States immigration system. The firm serves clients across New York City’s five boroughs and the broader metropolitan area, extending its immigration legal services to individuals and families throughout the United States and across the globe. Their immigration lawyers provide representation in family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, deportation defense, citizenship and naturalization, waivers of inadmissibility, nonimmigrant visas, E-1 and E-2 investor visas, and U-Visas for crime victims. John Nicelli & Associates is proud to offer multilingual services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Italian, and is committed to serving the LGBTQ+ community with the same dedication and care extended to all clients. The firm has been recognized among the top immigration lawyers in New York City and continues to build on its legacy of honesty, integrity, and results-driven advocacy. 

Media Contact:

John Nicelli & Associates
225 Broadway, Suite 1040
New York, NY 10007
(212) 227-8020
URL: NYC Immigration Attorneys | John Nicelli & Associates 

Contact Information:

John Nicelli & Associates

225 Broadway Suite 1040
New York, NY 10007
United States

John Nicelli
(212) 227-8020
https://www.johnnicelli.com/