![Immigration Attorney Irene Vaisman’s Asylum Victory: Strategy, Speed, and Success [Community Counsel]](https://lawfirmsuites.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Green-Minimalist-Golf-For-Beginners-Facebook-Post-880-x-470-px-1.jpg)
This month in Community Counsel, NYC immigration attorney Irene Vaisman shares how she secured a high-stakes asylum win—from what made her take a risky case to the strategy that led to success.
Russian asylum cases can be a minefield of legal complexity and government skepticism. When immigration attorney Irene Vaisman first reviewed the case, she hesitated. While she is no stranger to difficult cases, this one was complicated, high-stakes, and headed for Buffalo—one of the toughest immigration courts in the country. Her client was a recent entrant from Russia with a history of civilian engineering work loosely tied to the Russian Department of Defense. That raised immediate red flags, especially around TRIG (terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds). But surprisingly, those issues never came up. That alone felt like a small win.
No Silver Bullet—Just Grit, Strategy, and Preparation
With only 60 days to prepare and minimal documentation to work with, Irene had to move quickly. “There wasn’t a single winning argument—I used every tool available,” she explains. The client was credible but emotionally fragile, which meant trial prep required both legal rigor and emotional patience. Multiple prep sessions helped build trust and strengthen testimony.
What got them across the finish line? A clear, focused theory of the case, organized materials, and a cooperative client. “We didn’t have perfect facts or tons of evidence, but we had truth—and we worked hard to present it well.”
Celebrating the Win
When the judge granted asylum, there were tears, hugs, and a celebratory dinner for the client’s family. Irene took a well-earned day off before returning to her practice—and the next tough case.
Immigration Attorney Irene Vaisman’s Advice for Attorneys Taking on Difficult Cases:
Start strong, get organized early, and work closely with your client every step of the way. Build a clear case theory from the outset—it’ll keep you focused when time is short. And most importantly, trust your instincts, even when a case looks daunting.
How to connect with Immigration Attorney Irene Vaisman:
