Navigating the immigration maze can be daunting, with life-altering consequences. Whether you are applying for a visa, sponsoring a family member or employee for permanent residence, or are at risk of deportation, you will need straightforward, individualized advice on what benefits or relief you can expect to obtain, and a thorough explanation of what to expect throughout the process. Click the button to schedule an initial consultation or get started on your case.

Practice Areas

PRACTICE AREAS

family-based immigration

Spouse and relative petitions, fiancee visas, removal of conditions, Stokes interview, VAWA, I-601 waivers

asylum

Refugees from political, religious, ethnic and other forms of persecution

deportation defense

Asylum, Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status, etc..

naturalization/citizenship

nonimmigrant visas

H1B. L1 and O1 visas, change of status, waivers

countries

I have obtained immigration benefits for individuals from Albania, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, U.K., Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam, & Zimbabwe

“Mr. Borten was recommended to me after I felt that my lawyer wasn't much interested in my predicament. Larry is very friendly and personable. He asked me a series of questions to catch up with the case and made sure I was on the same page every step of the way. My whole life was in shambles and I needed some reassurance, but most importantly I needed somebody that would deal with my case in a professional manner. Larry is an adroit and transparent attorney. The most important thing for me throughout this process was to trust in the competency of a person that would make the intricacy of the immigration service simple and understandable. Larry did that for me. You can trust him.” - T.B.

“Larry is a man of integrity, compassion and above all a very caring individual. I had the privilege to have his legal experience and expertise represent me and since then my life has changed for good. He 'turned every stone' to ensure that all the facts and proofs are presented in the case. Choosing Larry to represent you is the best decisions you can make for your future!" - Naim

"I feel very grateful for meeting Laurence and having the benefit of his expertise to help us through this time consuming and difficult process. He turned the scary and daunting unknown into a manageable formality and made it enjoyable with his personable and confident manner."
- Marina

RESULTS

RECENT RESULTS

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Asylum for Russian Journalist and Political Activist

My client A. was a political reporter for an independent news organization in Russia for five years, and worked for an opposition political candidate in 2017-18. As the Putin regime clamped down on political dissent, A. found himself at risk of arrest and came to the U.S. His affirmative application for asylum was granted one month after filing.

VAWA cases

Succesful I-360 VAWA petitions for men and women who have experienced physical or emotional abuse by a U.S. citizen spouse

Cancellation of Removal for 22-year U.S. Resident

In 2013, CBP placed my client D. in deportation proceedings as a result of an 8-year-old conviction for simple marijuana possession that carried a $5 fine. Based on his decades-long record as a loving father and hard-working taxpayer, he was awarded Cancellation of Removal for Certain Permanent Residents at his immigration court hearing in September 2018.

Asylum for Bisexual Man from Russia

From his teens on, Client K. experienced the harassment and abuse typically directed at LGBT men and women in Russia, and which has been increasing in the wake of the so-called "anti-propaganda" law that singles out sexual minorities. Fearing violence, he came to the U.S. as soon as he could after starting college. He filed a "bare-bones" asylum application form and later retained me to prepare his statement and supporting materials and represent him at his interrview. His application was approved two weeks after his interview at the asylum office.

Cancellation of Removal (non-LPR) for a great dad

Client M. was placed in deportation proceedings after losing his student status. Due to earlier neglect by the motherof his non-custodial child, and his Herculean efforts to protect the child, we were able to get him a green card through Cancellation of Removal for non-permanent residents. Now that he has legal status, he is in a position to seek partial or full custody of his child.

Other Recent Asylum Wins

Russian political protesters (2); Christians from India and China; FGM victim from Burkina Faso; Anti-corruption activist from Azerbaijan; Perceived political "enermy" from Turkmenistan.

National Interest Waiver Green Card for Artificial Intelligence Researcher
My client J.A. is a researcher in Artificial Vision: the development of algorithms and software enabling machines to view and recognize objects, and to replace missing information. His research integrates diverse disciplines in math, physics and computer science. He has obtained permanent residence through the "National Interest Waiver" provision, which permits those whose work has "substantial merit and national importance" to self-petition for a green card without the usual requirement of a job offer and labor certification.

EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card for Violin Maker
My client M.N. has restored valuable instruments made by Stradivarius, Guarneri, and other masters of 17th-century violinmaking, including violins belonging to some of the most renowned string players of our day. I'm proud to have gained approval of his self-petition for permanent residence in the EB-1 Extraordinary Ability category, and his concurrent application for permanent residence.

Recent Successes with Business Visas

PERM and I-140 approvals for a civil engineering firm, a not-for-profit in NYC, the US office of a port logistics development company in China, and a small web development firm in NYC
H-1B approvals for teachers, architects, software engineers, accountants, graphic designers, a social science researcher, engineers and a purchasing manager
O-1 Extraordinary Ability approvals for 2 photographers, a videographer, a musical theater composer and a violinmaker
L-1A approvals for architecture and web design firms
National Interest Waiver for Petroleum Engineers (3)

Asylum for Lesbian Couple

A. and E. were attacked while making out in a public park and subject to police harassment because of their involvement with a LGBT organization. They won their affirmative asylum case and now have their green cards.

I-601 Waiver
Client E. married a US citizen, but was found inadmissible at his green card interview. Based on his role as primary caretaker for the couple's child, and the hardship faced by his wife were he unable to remain in the US, we obtained approval of a waiver, and his permanent residence was approved.

"Laurence is the most reliable, compassionate, dignified and intelligent attorney" - Shan

ABOUT ME

Before founding my firm, I was a senior attorney at Children's Rights, where I prosecuted class-action civil rights lawsuits on behalf of abused and neglected children in state foster care.

Before joining Children's Rights, I was an Assistant Attorney General at the New York Attorney General's Office, investigating and prosecuting fraud in the financial industry. I helped obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution to victims of fraud in the marketing of auction-rate securities, and prosecuted a lawsuit on behalf of indirect investors in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme. In 2008, I received the Louis J. Lefkowitz Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance on behalf of the People of New York.

Earlier, I was a litigation associate at Covington & Burling and at Friedman, Kaplan, Seiler & Adelman in New York City. I represented individuals and businesses in complex commercial litigation and assisted in internal corporate investigations. At the latter firm, I was the pro bono coordinator and, among other things, successfully represented several asylum applicants.

After receiving a Bachelor's degree in physics from Yale University, and a Master's Degree in physics from Columbia University, I was a public school science teacher. I graduated from Columbia Law School in 2002, where I was a Kent Scholar and an Articles Editor for the Columbia Law Review. I clerked for Judge Gerard E. Lynch of the Southern District of New York (now on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals).

I am admitted to practice law in New York, in the Federal courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

I am also the founder of ChildCare Vietnam, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide aid to abandoned and disabled children in Vietnam.

"Larry worked with us for over two years on an immigration matter. We were successful, largely due to his attention to detail, preparation, and management of the complex requirements of our multiple visa applications. Along the way, Laurence was consistently the most communicative attorney I've ever worked with. He took care and time to explain to us what to expect ahead of each step. He's both a consummate professional and a caring person." - M., CTO of not-for-profit

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Use the form at the right to request a phone or office consultation.

I am conveniently located on 55th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

"A thoughtful lawyer who was very helpful in identifying the issues, the facts, thedetails that it takes to win a case. Others seem to have overlooked or never mentioned them. . . . Worth talking to early, even when you're just trying to figure out what is possible." - Dani

“Larry's guidance and support, while patiently working on my case, made things go much easier than I had anticipated. His insight, options and possible outcomes were extremely valuable. He did an excellent job representing me, and I am so grateful I found such a hardworking, honest and reliable lawyer. I would highly recommend Larry to anyone who is looking for a professional, competent and caring lawyer”
- Sevil, Asylum Applicant

"As an experienced one-man-army, Larry is prompt, professional, efficient, & with due deligence. Due to his exceptional service and reasonable price, Larry has been a part of my NY attorney list that I share with friends who ask for attorney recommendation." - N.D.

"Laurence was incredible. We had a tight deadline to work with and he was able to move us quickly and effectively through the H-1B process. He was VERY responsive to our questions and made sure that we met the deadlines and requirements."
- George Weiner, Whole Whale LLC

Save by booking online here! Consultation fees are higher when booking by phone or email.

contact