The author would first and foremost like to thank the American Bar Association. It was a pleasure working with them when I wrote the foreword for my father’s book, John Lennon vs. the U.S.A., and I appreciate their recognition of the message these cases hold for those attending law school or contemplating a career in the law. Immigration has become a driving force motivating scores of young minds and talent to pursue a career in the field. In this respect, I am grateful to Melanie Leslie and all the prior deans of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law for the trust they placed in my father and me to serve as Adjunct Professors of Law for the last forty-one years, collectively. Having met my wife Amy in my Dad’s class and now having two of my four children in my class is a pure joy.
No words can describe the gratitude I have for my father and law partner, Leon Wildes. I have had the good fortune to second seat him my entire professional life. He inspired me to follow in his footsteps. An amazing man of great scholarship and ethics, I cherish the mere task of accompanying him to our offices. I am proud of his legacy and trust. Thanks also to Dad’s wife, Alice Wildes, who has shared his life and ours for more than a decade.
I would like to thank our law partner Steven Weinberg and the staff of Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. whose talent and stewardship have helped not only with the matters profiled in this work but have ensured the safety and approval of thousands of immigration clients’ cases. With offices in New York City, New Jersey, Florida, and California, we remain available to assist those in need of immigration counsel on business, family, litigation, compliance, and consular immigration matters (see www.wildeslaw.com).
I am most grateful for the love of my wife, Amy Messer Wildes. Her talents as a lawyer are shadowed by her extraordinary judgment and patience. She remains a true partner in everything worthy in my life and most ventures described in this work. Our love to our children Raquel Hailey, Joshua Harlan, Lauren Ruth, Jaclyn Lindsay, and to our newest additions Vicky and Aryeh and their beautiful families.
A special thank-you for the love and support from my brother, Rabbi Mark Wildes, and his wife, Jill, and their children. No doubt our mother, Ruth, though sorely missed, added her own touch to this journey and would be proud of her eight grandchildren and the love and admiration they have for their grandfather. Thank you to my in-laws Susan and Robert Messer for your continued belief and support.
To my good friend David Zedeck, thank you always for your love: believing in me and joining me on this ride. Paul Kemsley (PK) for your wit, graciousness, and love. A special note of thanks is extended to Lawrence Yudess, an accomplished immigration attorney in his own right, for his constant love, support, and Sunday morning conversations. To my mentors, Nick Doria, Larry Schatz, Ben Brafman, and to Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz for their steadfast friendship and scholarship. Through all of their referrals and trust we have fought to safeguard the constitutional underpinnings of our immigration system.
I also thank Yoko Ono Lennon, First Lady Melania Trump, soccer icon Pele, and the many other talents for their trust and friendship. Thank you to Bill McCay, a talented writer, and our agent, John Willig, who worked faithfully to ensure the publication of this most important work.