Porthole Headshot Image of Fragomen [Matawan][Associate][SonyaCole]

Senior Associate

Sonya Berenfeld Cole

Landscape hero image of Fragomen [Matawan][Associate][SonyaCole]
Porthole Headshot Image of Fragomen [Matawan][Associate][SonyaCole]
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Senior Associate

Sonya Berenfeld Cole

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  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English
  • Russian

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Sonya is a Senior Associate in the firm’s Knowledge group, which provides internal and client guidance on new, changing and complex global immigration issues and maintains the firm’s extensive global immigration knowledge library. As the team's head writer, Sonya spearheads the Fragomen Client Alert writing process and the award-winning Worldwide Immigration Trends Report, and drafts client materials related to global immigration policy. Sonya also played an integral role in the firm’s communication standardization project, which helped to simplify client communications using visuals and succinct, direct language.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Sonya was a civil litigator in New Jersey and New York.

Throughout her career, Sonya has been involved in pro bono work through various organizations such as Partners for Women and Justice and Immigration Equality, and she is currently a career coach with Upwardly Global, an organization that provides free assistance to immigrants and refugees in career and job placement efforts. She also assisted with asylum cases through Seton Hall Law School’s Immigration and International Human Rights Clinic.

Sonya speaks English and Russian

Education

  • Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., 2010
  • New York University, B.A., cum laude , 2006

More from Sonya

Admissions

Bar Admissions: New Jersey, New York​

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Named a Thought Leader of the Year for Shaping the Conversation in Immigration Law, The Build Fellowship’s Immies Awards, 2026

Excellence in Pro Bono Representation Award, Immigration Equality, 2016

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member, South Carolina Women Lawyers Association

Publications and lectures

Co-Author, “Why Climate Disruptions Are Reshaping Mobility Strategy.” Fragomen, 13 March 2026.

Co-author, “Venezuela’s Energy Reset: Unlocking Opportunity, Managing Risk and Deploying Talent Strategically.” Fragomen, 20 February 2026.

Co-author, “Digital Nomads and Hybrid Work: A Deep Dive into the Benefits, Drawbacks and Possible Ways to Improve Uptake of Digital Nomad Visa Programmes.” Global Forum for Migration Development Business Advisory Group for Migration, December 2023.

Author, “How is Immigration Policy Adapting in the Face of Growing Skills Gaps and the War for Talent?” Global Mobility Executive, 10 May 2023.

Co-author, “Data Privacy in the Post-Pandemic World – Trends and Projections in the Global Immigration Environment.” Worldwide ERC, 7 November 2022.

Author, “Digital Nomads and Remote Workers.” Worldwide ERC, 25 July 2022.

Contributor, “The Future of Remote Work: Digital Nomads and the Implications for Immigration Systems.” Migration Policy Institute, 23 June 2022.

Author, “Ukraine Situation and Its Impacts on Immigration Policy.” Global Mobility Executive, 26 May 2022.

Author, “COVID-19: Though it Exacerbated Anti-Immigrant Sentiments, it Could Accelerate Immigration’s Digital Transformation.” Worldwide ERC, 19 October 2020.

Author, “It’s A Tough Gig – Do work authorization systems meet the needs of nontraditional, or ‘gig,’ workers?.” Mobility, January 2020.

Author, “2019: Looking Back on a Year of Increased Government Rule Enforcement.” Fragomen Blog, 19 December 2019.

Author, “The Digital Transformation - Immigration Systems in 2019 and Beyond.” Worldwide ERC, 21 October 2019.

Speaker, “Peering into the Crystal Ball: Immigration Trends and Implications.” Worldwide ERC's Global Workforce Symposium, Boston, MA, October 18, 2019.

Author, “Global Immigration Trends in 2019 and Projections for 2020.” International HR Adviser, Summer 2019.

Author, “Immigration Policies for Dependent Spouses and Same-Sex Partners: What is the Road Ahead?” Worldwide ERC, 13 May 2019.

Co-author, “Chapter 22: Immigration Considerations for International Assignments” and “Appendix 22A.” International Corporate Practice: A Practitioner's Guide to Global Success, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Author, “Pro Bono Opportunities to Represent Unaccompanied Minors.” New Jersey Law Journal, 14 August 2014.

Author, “E-Verify: A Tool for Employers in the Age of ICE Audits.” New Jersey Law Journal, November 2012.

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 917 628 0561

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Sonya’s insights

September 1, 2026 | Blog post

APAC Immigration Landscape: Governments Are Using Immigration Policy to Advance National PrioritiesRead more

August 26, 2026 | Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing TogetherRead more

August 18, 2026 | Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration PolicyRead more
More related insights

Related content

Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Australia’s net migration figures and recent changes to the country’s migration policies.

Learn more

Blog post

Can International Graduates in the Netherlands Qualify for the 30% Ruling? Eligibility Rules Explained

Tiemen Peters, Silvia Norte Mercade and Soraya Driessen outline when international graduates who studied in the Netherlands may qualify for the 30% ruling and the key eligibility, timing and compliance considerations for graduates and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how recent immigration developments may affect the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence for U.S. employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes: What Do They Mean for Employers in Northern England?

Manager Ko Ito, Senior Immigration Consultant Danielle Barks, Associate Naureen Malik and Trainee Solicitor Amna Ali outline how the expanded UK Right to Work Scheme could affect employers in Northern England and the practical steps businesses can take ahead of the 1 October 2026 changes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Traveller: Six Months in, the EU’s Entry/Exit System Isn’t Working

Partner Christine Sullivan discusses the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across member states and at border crossing points.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship by Descent: A Practical Guide for 2026

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala, Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek and Senior Immigration Consultant Paulina Fołta-Cisak discuss who may qualify for Polish citizenship by descent, how historical events can affect a claim and what applicants should expect from the 2026 confirmation process.

Learn more

Media mentions

ABC News: What Australia can learn from 165 years of migration data

Senior Counsel Anna Boucher is quoted in ABC News regarding Australia's migration debate and what more than 165 years of migration data reveals about long-term immigration trends.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2026: Are Work Permit Quotas Likely to Run Out Before Year-End?

Senior Immigration Consultant Alessandra Rüede discusses Switzerland’s 2026 work permit quota utilisation and what current availability, canton-level allocation practices and processing considerations mean for employers planning international hiring and mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

From Investment to Merit: Malta’s Citizenship Reset

Director Isobel Neilson and Manager Sophie Jo Wasson discuss Malta’s shift from citizenship by investment to merit-based naturalisation and outline what may contribute to a compelling application based on exceptional merit and national interest.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Letter to ICE/Student and Exchange Visitor Program on Curricular Practical TrainingLearn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes from 1 October 2026: Why Employers Need to Act Now

Partner Naomi Goldshtein discusses the UK Right to Work changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and what employers should do now to strengthen identity verification, workforce oversight and compliance across direct and extended worker populations.

Learn more

Awards

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup Appointed to Dutch Bar Legislative Committee on Immigration Law

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup has been appointed to the Dutch Bar’s Legislative Committee on Immigration Law, where she will contribute input and advice on proposed and existing immigration legislation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Australia’s net migration figures and recent changes to the country’s migration policies.

Learn more

Blog post

Can International Graduates in the Netherlands Qualify for the 30% Ruling? Eligibility Rules Explained

Tiemen Peters, Silvia Norte Mercade and Soraya Driessen outline when international graduates who studied in the Netherlands may qualify for the 30% ruling and the key eligibility, timing and compliance considerations for graduates and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how recent immigration developments may affect the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence for U.S. employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes: What Do They Mean for Employers in Northern England?

Manager Ko Ito, Senior Immigration Consultant Danielle Barks, Associate Naureen Malik and Trainee Solicitor Amna Ali outline how the expanded UK Right to Work Scheme could affect employers in Northern England and the practical steps businesses can take ahead of the 1 October 2026 changes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Traveller: Six Months in, the EU’s Entry/Exit System Isn’t Working

Partner Christine Sullivan discusses the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across member states and at border crossing points.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship by Descent: A Practical Guide for 2026

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala, Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek and Senior Immigration Consultant Paulina Fołta-Cisak discuss who may qualify for Polish citizenship by descent, how historical events can affect a claim and what applicants should expect from the 2026 confirmation process.

Learn more

Media mentions

ABC News: What Australia can learn from 165 years of migration data

Senior Counsel Anna Boucher is quoted in ABC News regarding Australia's migration debate and what more than 165 years of migration data reveals about long-term immigration trends.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2026: Are Work Permit Quotas Likely to Run Out Before Year-End?

Senior Immigration Consultant Alessandra Rüede discusses Switzerland’s 2026 work permit quota utilisation and what current availability, canton-level allocation practices and processing considerations mean for employers planning international hiring and mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

From Investment to Merit: Malta’s Citizenship Reset

Director Isobel Neilson and Manager Sophie Jo Wasson discuss Malta’s shift from citizenship by investment to merit-based naturalisation and outline what may contribute to a compelling application based on exceptional merit and national interest.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Letter to ICE/Student and Exchange Visitor Program on Curricular Practical TrainingLearn more

Blog post

Right to Work Changes from 1 October 2026: Why Employers Need to Act Now

Partner Naomi Goldshtein discusses the UK Right to Work changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and what employers should do now to strengthen identity verification, workforce oversight and compliance across direct and extended worker populations.

Learn more

Awards

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup Appointed to Dutch Bar Legislative Committee on Immigration Law

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup has been appointed to the Dutch Bar’s Legislative Committee on Immigration Law, where she will contribute input and advice on proposed and existing immigration legislation.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
September 18, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: New Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Consider Layoff Activity and Labor Market Data in H-1B Adjudications
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Further Migration Reforms to Reduce Net Overseas Migration Announced
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Skilled Visa Processing Priorities Revised
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights
September 18, 2026 | ThailandThailand: Reduction in Visa-Exempt Stay Duration Forthcoming
September 18, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: New Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Consider Layoff Activity and Labor Market Data in H-1B Adjudications
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Further Migration Reforms to Reduce Net Overseas Migration Announced
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Skilled Visa Processing Priorities Revised
September 18, 2026 | AustraliaAustralian Broadcasting Corporation: Overnights
September 18, 2026 | ThailandThailand: Reduction in Visa-Exempt Stay Duration Forthcoming
September 18, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: New Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Consider Layoff Activity and Labor Market Data in H-1B Adjudications
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