About Raisa Cohen
Hon. Raisa Cohen is a distinguished immigration attorney and retired Immigration Judge with a profound commitment to justice and human rights. Born in Uzbekistan, she immigrated to the United States as a refugee, bringing with her a deep understanding of the immigrant experience.
Judge Cohen’s legal career commenced in private practice, where she specialized in immigration law. She then served as Assistant Chief Counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security in New York. In March 2016, she was appointed as an Immigration Judge at the New York Federal Plaza Immigration Court, where she presided over complex immigration matters, including removal proceedings, bond hearings, and matters involving national security and human rights violations. Throughout her tenure on the bench, Judge Cohen was known for her fairness and integrity.
After nearly a decade of judicial service, Judge Cohen retired and returned to private practice in Queens, New York, where she continues to focus on asylum, removal defense, family-based immigration, and humanitarian cases. Her comprehensive experience as a former immigrant, private practitioner, prosecutor, and judge provides her with a unique and holistic perspective on immigration law and advocacy.
Following her retirement as an Immigration Judge, Judge Cohen has been called upon regularly to teach and speak in a variety of settings. She has guest lectured at law schools, presented at annual immigration symposiums and CLE training conferences. She remains actively involved in the legal community, mentoring the next generation of lawyers and contributing to discussions on immigration policy and reform.
Judge Cohen earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York Zicklin School of Business in 2002, followed by a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 2007. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and a member of the prestigious Roundtable of Former Immigration Judges.
Hon. Cohen is married to Albert Cohen, a founder and owner of Cohen and Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. Together, they raise three children and enjoy traveling and philanthropy.
Her journey from immigrant to Immigration Judge embodies the essence of the American dream and serves as an inspiration to many.