Senior Associate
Zeena Barazanji
Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Arabic
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor
Chicago IL 60606
United States
Zeena is a Senior Associate in Fragomen’s Chicago office, where she focuses on employment, family and individual immigration matters. She works with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and multinational corporations across diverse industries on visa planning, employer compliance and global mobility initiatives. She also represents individuals and families seeking permanent residence, waivers, naturalization and relief from removal. She has extensive experience advocating before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Asylum Office, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Zeena is especially experienced in counseling clients on creative strategies to navigate complex immigration challenges. Her practice often sits at the intersection of corporate and humanitarian immigration, allowing her to craft innovative solutions that address both organizational priorities and individual circumstances. She regularly presents at conferences, universities and professional events on emerging issues in immigration law.
Committed to pro bono service, Zeena has represented survivors of domestic violence and other crimes in VAWA and U visa petitions, as well as individuals seeking asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Zeena speaks Arabic, English and Spanish.
Education
- DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 2013
- University of Iowa, B.A., high honors, 2010
More from Zeena
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Illinois
Court Admissions: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law
Professional accomplishments
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Member, USCIS District Director Liaison Committee, AILA Chicago Chapter, 2021-present
Former Co-Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, AILA Chicago Chapter, 2021
Experience
Successfully litigated asylum claims before the Immigration Court on behalf of LGBTQIA+ individuals, survivors of religious persecution, political dissidents and other vulnerable populations.
Secured relief for clients in removal proceedings, including cancellation of removal, waivers and termination of proceedings to seek other relief in matters against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Overturned erroneous denials of H-1B, N-400 and I-485 petitions through successful motions to reopen and appeals before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Secured reinstatement of F-1 student status for individuals whose lawful status had been improperly terminated.
Obtained a custody grant and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for an unaccompanied minor fleeing violence in his home country.
Publications and lectures
Speaker, “USCIS Interviews, Asylum Interviews, ICE Check-ins.” DePaul Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic A2J and ILSP Quarterly Meeting, 19 September 2025.
Guest Lecturer, “Immigration Basics Training: Day 1 – Introduction to Immigration Law and Family-Based Immigration.” DePaul Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, 24 January 2025.
Speaker, “All About INA § 212(d)(3) Waivers in the Employment Context.” AILA Chicago Chapter 2024 Employment Conference Series, 30 October 2024.
Speaker, “Preparing for Biden’s New Executive Action Programs.” DePaul Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic Practitioner Roundtable, 15 August 2024.
Speaker, “EB-3 Green Cards for Skilled and Unskilled Workers & Addressing Their Unique Challenges.” AILA Chicago Fall 2023 Employment Conference Series, 15 November 2023.
Speaker, “Family-Based Immigration Overview.” Fragomen and Interstride, Webinar, 11 October 2023.
Speaker, “Pursuing Multiple Forms of Relief in Proceedings.” AILA Annual Conference, June 2023.
Co-author, “Pursuing Multiple Forms of Relief While Simultaneously Litigating before EOIR.” AILA National Conference, 2023.
Speaker, “245(i) Adjustment of Status.” DePaul Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, 6 October 2022.
Speaker, “Maintaining Permanent Residency after Extended Stays Abroad.” AILA MRC, 11 March 2022.
Zeena’s insights
October 23, 2024 — October 30, 2024 | Conference
