Reflecting on the CLA Annual Conference 2025: Collaboration, Insights, and Momentum in Immigration Law

This year’s California Lawyers Association Annual Conference brought together attorneys from across the state to reflect on the rapidly evolving immigration landscape. I had the privilege of moderating the panel “Navigating U.S. Immigration Policy in 2025: Risks, Reforms, and Strategies” alongside two outstanding colleagues: Sonia S. Figueroa and Rashmi Bishnoi.

Our discussion was not only substantive and practical, but also truly enjoyable — a reminder that collaboration and shared expertise are what keep our profession strong and forward-looking.

Panel Highlights

• Policy Shifts & Risks. We examined current reforms and proposed changes, considering their impact on both business and family-based immigration.

• Humanitarian Pathways & Relief. The panel explored humanitarian remedies such as asylum, U visas, and T visas, and how practitioners can better guide vulnerable populations through these complex processes.

• Strategic Advocacy. From managing client expectations to anticipating risks, we focused on strategies attorneys can implement to stay ahead of regulatory developments.

About the Panelists

Sonia S. Figueroa:

Sonia is the founder of SSFL Law, APC, where she has practiced immigration law exclusively since 2014. Her practice focuses on family immigration, humanitarian relief (including asylum, U visas, and T visas), and citizenship. A U.S. Army veteran and former USCIS Immigration Services Officer, Sonia brings a unique perspective to her work. She is also active in her community, volunteering at local legal clinics and serving on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Immigration and Nationality Section. Sonia earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School and is licensed by the Supreme Court of California.

Rashmi Bishnoi:

Rashmi is a business immigration attorney and founder of RB Law, where she manages a modern, cross-border practice serving companies of all sizes, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, and athletes. She also serves as Co-Counsel at Manifest Law (NY) and Of Counsel to ZMK Law (NY) and Ackah Business Immigration Law (Canada). Rashmi’s practice spans a wide range of business immigration needs, including E-2, L-1, TN, O-1, and EB visas, as well as consular processing, I-9 compliance, and entity structuring for new U.S. operations. She routinely partners with over 50 U.S. law firms as a contract attorney and works extensively with early-stage startups, solo founders, and scaling companies. With a particular focus on Canadian businesses and talent transitioning to the U.S., Rashmi brings both strategic insight and practical solutions to the complexities of cross-border mobility.

Reflections

Moderating this panel reminded me of how dynamic immigration practice has become in 2025. Policies are shifting rapidly, and our responsibility as practitioners is to interpret these changes with precision, advocate effectively, and provide clients with the clarity they deserve.

Most importantly, it was fun — the conversation was lively, thoughtful, and full of mutual respect. I am grateful to Sonia and Rashmi for their collaboration and insight, and I look forward to future opportunities to work together.