Iskender (Alex) Cemaletin, Esq., is one of the few Turkish-American lawyers who was raised in New York. He immigrated with his family from Turkey to New York in 1963.  He graduated from Hofstra University, School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1987. He has practiced immigration law for over 26 years and has maintained his main office in the same building, located in downtown New York City at 401 Broadway, New York, NY 10013.

“There is a huge increase in business people who either invested in or established a business in the U.S.,” says Remzi Güvenç Kulen of Kulen Law, New York based law firm. “I think the interest is warranted since we have better companies and brilliant business people who can compete in the U.S.,” he adds. Kulen is a graduate of Marmara Law School in Istanbul and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and active in NY Chapter’s Corporate Law and USCIS committees. He writes articles in print and web media and he is a frequent guest on Turkish and U.S. TV stations. He is also invited to various panels, to speak about investment opportunities in the U.S., and visa options for professionals and foreign employees. He is also an active community member. He answered our questions. 

Looking back to the early 1980’s, one would not be able to find many Turkish professionals, including attorneys, accountants or physicians in the United States. J. Cahit Akbulut, an attorney currently operating his own law practice in New York City, had the courage to undertake the challenge to change this reality.   
 

The bill concerning the over 10 million illegal immigrants in America, waiting to be approved in the Congress, gives hopes to many people. Although the passing of the bill seems to be a challenge in a Republican majority Congress, immigration lawyers are hopeful. Working in New York in immigration law, lawyer Birsen Aksakal says, “The passing of the bill does not seem very likely but how much longer can the issue of illegal immigrants be avoided?”