Immigration law in the United States is often complex, slow-moving, and difficult to navigate, particularly for undocumented individuals seeking legal status. While existing policies provide pathways for certain immigrants, many struggle to access legal representation or even understand their rights. New Frontier Immigration Law, founded by attorney Hillary Walsh, is working to change this reality.
Through innovative legal strategies, advocacy, and public education, the firm has taken a different approach to immigration law — one that focuses on accessibility, trauma-informed representation, and systemic reform. Below are seven ways New Frontier Immigration Law is reshaping immigration legal services in the U.S.
1. Expanding Access to Immigration Legal Services
Many immigrants avoid seeking legal help due to cost concerns or misinformation about their eligibility for relief. To address this, New Frontier Immigration Law offers free strategic sessions, helping individuals understand their legal options before committing to representation.
Over the past six years, the firm has helped more than 4,000 immigrants secure legal status, reuniting families and protecting individuals from deportation. Walsh emphasizes that many people do not realize they qualify for protections under existing laws. “A lot of our clients come to us believing they have no options,” she said. “But when they understand what’s available to them, everything changes.”
2. Prioritizing Trauma-Informed Legal Representation
New Frontier specializes in cases involving survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other trauma-related circumstances. The firm takes a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that clients are supported not just legally, but emotionally.
T visas, which provide legal protections for trafficking survivors, are among the firm’s most frequently handled cases. While the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that tens of thousands of trafficking victims enter the country each year, fewer than 2,000 T visas are granted annually. New Frontier is working to close that gap by taking on these challenging cases and advocating for survivors.
3. Modernizing Immigration Law with Remote Legal Services
By operating remotely, New Frontier Immigration Law has removed geographical barriers that often limit access to legal assistance. The firm was among the first to adopt a virtual model, allowing clients to receive consultations and legal representation regardless of their location.
According to the American Bar Association, the use of remote legal services has increased by 38% in recent years, reflecting a shift toward more accessible legal support. The firm’s expansion into Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Houston is an extension of this strategy, reaching more clients while maintaining efficiency.
4. Fighting Labor Exploitation with Legal Protections
Undocumented workers frequently face wage theft and exploitative conditions, with employers using immigration status as leverage to prevent workers from reporting violations. A 2022 study by the Economic Policy Institute found that undocumented workers are twice as likely as U.S. citizens to experience wage theft.
New Frontier assists clients in applying for U visas, which offer legal protections to undocumented crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement. These visas provide a path to legal status while also holding employers accountable for labor violations.
5. Reshaping Public Perception of Undocumented Immigrants
Beyond legal services, New Frontier is involved in advocacy efforts aimed at changing public narratives about undocumented immigrants. Walsh regularly speaks about the economic and social contributions of immigrant communities, emphasizing data that challenges common misconceptions.
Her TEDx Talk, Captives Among Us: How U.S. Immigration Law Perpetuates Domestic Violence, has drawn attention to systemic barriers that leave vulnerable populations without protection. “If someone is too afraid to report abuse because of their immigration status, that’s not justice,” Walsh said. “The law should be a safeguard, not another obstacle.”
6. Training the Next Generation of Immigration Law Professionals
With the number of immigration cases growing by nearly 70% since 2015, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, there is a growing need for legal professionals trained in immigration law.
To address this, Walsh launched a training program for legal assistants, focusing on family- and humanitarian-based immigration cases. By equipping more professionals with specialized skills, the firm is contributing to the long-term sustainability of quality legal representation for immigrants.
7. Advocating for Systemic Immigration Reform
While New Frontier provides legal representation under current laws, the firm is also engaged in efforts to push for policy reforms. The backlog of immigration cases has reached historic highs, with over 7 million applications pending, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Walsh believes legal professionals have a responsibility to engage in broader policy discussions. “Immigration law shouldn’t be a system where only those with financial resources can find relief,” she said. “We have to push for reforms that recognize the dignity and contributions of the people this system affects.”
A Broader Impact on Immigration Law
New Frontier Immigration Law is not just handling individual cases — it is working to change how immigration legal services function in the U.S. From making legal support more accessible to advocating for systemic reform, the firm’s work is reshaping the field in meaningful ways. As immigration remains a central issue in the national conversation, efforts like these will continue to influence the legal and policy landscape for years to come.