Senior Associate
Carolyn Alvarez
Country / Territory
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Contact information
Carolyn is a Senior Associate at Fragomen’s New York office, where she provides immigration services to multinational corporate clients across a variety of industries, including investment banking, technology, legal and financial services. She assists clients in the preparation of petitions for employment-based nonimmigrant visas and permanent residence.
Prior to joining Fragomen, Carolyn worked at a boutique business immigration law firm in New York, where she assisted clients across a variety of industries, including film and television, culinary arts, fashion, music, architecture and design with obtaining nonimmigrant visas based on their demonstrated experience. She also assisted clients with obtaining both employment-based and marriage-based immigrant visas.
During law school, Carolyn participated in her law school’s Immigration Clinic, where she assisted with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, adjustment of status and naturalization applications. She also assisted in drafting a successful appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals regarding a client’s removal determination.
Carolyn speaks English and Hungarian.
Education
- Michigan State University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude , 2016
- Wesleyan University, B.A., 2011
More from Carolyn
Admissions
Bar Admissions: New York
Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law
Awards
Named to Best Lawyers in America: One to Watch, 2025-2026
Professional accomplishments
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2026 Annual Conference Committee, 2025 to 2026
Chair and Executive Committee Member, AILA – New York Chapter, 2020 to 2025
Conference Program Chair, 24th Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium, 2025
Past-Co-chair, AILA – New York Chapter, CLE Committee, 2018 to 2020
Past-Co-chair, AILA – New York Chapter, New Members Division Committee, 2019 to 2020
Member, AILA – New York Chapter, 2017 to present
Experience
Worked closely with leading production companies to obtain nonimmigrant visas for cast and crew working on several high-profile feature films and television programs for major networks in the U.S.
Obtained nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for both front- and back-of-house workers at various Michelin-starred restaurants across the U.S.
Publications and lectures
Panelist, “H-1B Basics: What You Need to Know in 2026.” AILA New York Chapter, New York, NY, 25 February 2026.
Discussion Leader, “Relearning the H-1B Visa: Policy Shifts, Risk Points, and What to Expect for FY2027.” 24thAnnual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium, New York, NY, 1 December 2025.
Author, “Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys.” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2 July 2025.
Panelist, “Let’s go down Chapultepec Avenue: The Evolution of the H-1B and H-2B Programs.” AILA Texas/New Mexico/Oklahoma Spring Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico, 11 April 2025.
Speaker, “Hiring in Canada & Addressing Visa Challenges.” StartupExperts NYC Hub, New York, NY, 3 February 2025.
Speaker, “Understanding the H-1B Visa Lottery - What Employers Need to Know.” TroopHR, New York, NY, 27 March 2024.
Panelist, “Like No Other Show You’ve Seen: Extraordinary Clients.” 22ndAnnual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium, New York, NY, 4 December 2023.
Speaker, “The O-1 Visa: Top 5 Misconceptions.” Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, New York, NY, 24 October 2018.
Carolyn’s insights
August 21, 2025 | Awards
July 16, 2025 | Media mentions
August 19, 2024 | Awards
