Welcome to the Garfinkel Immigration attorney spotlight series, where we will conduct a bimonthly Q&A with one of the Firm’s lawyers. In this edition, we spoke with Associate Attorney Ana Delgado Hualde.
Ana Delgado Hualde attended the University of Minnesota Law School, where she graduated with a J.D. with concentrations in International Law and Human Rights Law. Before that, she earned a B.A. in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense from UNC Chapel Hill.
How long have you practiced immigration law?
I have been practicing immigration law full time for a little over one year. However, prior to graduating law school, I completed multiple clerkships and internships in the field, as well.
What drew you to the immigration law field?
I immigrated to the U.S. at age five from Venezuela on an H-4 visa. My family has been through the immigration process firsthand, and I saw how much it revolutionized our lives for the better. I also saw how complicated, time-consuming, and tedious the process itself can be.
I wanted to break into the field to help people navigate this arena as effortlessly as possible and to ensure the same success for their families and careers.
What have you found most rewarding about working in immigration law?
We help so many impressive and established individuals build their careers in the U.S. I find it incredibly rewarding to get approvals for folks who I know will undoubtedly make a huge positive impact on society and on our community.
What do you consider your most significant professional accomplishment?
Completing law school and passing the Bar Exam during a global pandemic was challenging. Our cohorts could not rely on the experience of anybody else to predict what was in store. I am proud of myself and those who graduated during the pandemic for showing incredible flexibility and resilience in accomplishing our professional goals.
What do you see as the most substantial challenges ahead in the complicated and ever-evolving environment around immigration law issues?
The most pressing issue I see on a daily basis is the lengthy adjudication time of cases. An extreme backlog, coupled with slow processing times, causes adverse effects on immigrants who plan their entire lives around their immigration status. Both comprehensive legislative reform and increased manpower at government agencies are needed to tackle this serious problem.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I enjoy going to sporting events and concerts, especially in the fall. I also consider myself an amateur restaurant critic, so I love trying all the new restaurants that constantly pop up on the Charlotte food scene. And of course—I love cheering on the Tar Heels!
What is your favorite movie or TV show? Why?
I love true crime docuseries and binging old episodes of Law & Order. When I need to lighten the mood, I instantly turn on Impractical Jokers.