How attorney Hillary is fighting against the trafficking of undocumented immigrants

The number of undocumented immigrants in the United States is estimated to be around 11 million, according to the Pew Research Center. For many, the road to legal stability is long and complicated, often requiring legal intervention to navigate visa applications, family reunifications, and humanitarian protections.

New Frontier Immigration Law, founded by Hillary Walsh, has taken on this challenge head-on. Over the past six years, the firm has represented more than 4,000 immigrants, securing legal status for individuals facing deportation, abuse, and trafficking. Walsh, an immigration attorney with over 12 years of legal experience, has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple federal circuit courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

“We see people who have spent years in fear, thinking they have no options,” Walsh said. “Our job is to help them find a legal path forward and give them the ability to live without that fear.”

T Visas and VAWA: Addressing Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Many of the firm’s clients are immigrants who have survived trafficking, domestic violence, or abuse by a U.S. citizen spouse. Two major protections under U.S. immigration law—T visas and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitions—offer relief for individuals in these situations.

T visas provide a pathway to legal status for victims of human trafficking, allowing them to remain in the U.S. if they cooperate with law enforcement in investigations. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 24.9 million people worldwide are victims of trafficking, many of whom seek safety in the United States.

Similarly, VAWA protections allow survivors of domestic violence to apply for legal residency without relying on their abusive spouse for sponsorship. This legal provision is particularly significant, as a 2021 study by the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project found that 74% of immigrant domestic violence survivors fear reporting abuse due to potential immigration consequences.

One of Walsh’s clients, a woman named Karla, was married to a U.S. citizen who controlled her immigration status and threatened deportation whenever she attempted to leave. With legal support, she obtained VAWA protection, securing legal residency and independence from her abuser.

Expanding Services to Meet Demand

New Frontier Immigration Law operates primarily in Arizona, where a large percentage of the undocumented immigrant population resides. According to the Migration Policy Institute, Arizona alone is home to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants.

With increasing demand, the firm is expanding to major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Houston. These cities have some of the highest concentrations of immigrant communities in the country, with Los Angeles County alone home to over 3.5 million immigrants, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“We are seeing more people coming forward, realizing that they don’t have to live in fear,” Walsh said. “By raising awareness, we can help even more families find stability.”

Legal Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom

Beyond individual cases, the firm has taken an active role in policy discussions and public advocacy. Walsh delivered a TEDx Talk on how U.S. immigration law intersects with domestic violence and has been recognized for her contributions to the field, including her 2024 inclusion in Inc.’s Female Founders 250 list.

Additionally, she launched the New Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that provides mental health resources, therapy, and community support for undocumented immigrants. The foundation was created to address the psychological effects of living without legal status, an issue highlighted in a 2022 report by the American Psychological Association, which found that 68% of undocumented individuals experience high levels of anxiety due to immigration-related stressors.

New Frontier Immigration Law also operates a remote-first model, allowing attorneys to work with clients across the U.S. without the constraints of a physical office. This approach has helped the firm serve a broader base of immigrants while keeping legal fees more affordable than many traditional firms.

Challenges and Future Goals

Despite these achievements, significant legal and political challenges remain. Immigration policy continues to be a highly contested issue in the United States, with fluctuating asylum laws, visa backlogs, and policy changes creating uncertainty for many.

The firm’s long-term goal is to reach one million immigrants and to continue advocating for reforms in immigration law. Walsh has also expressed a commitment to shifting public perceptions of undocumented immigrants, emphasizing their economic and cultural contributions to the country.

“Immigration law isn’t just about legal paperwork—it’s about families, safety, and the right to build a future,” Walsh said. “With immigration under attack right now, there’s still so much work to be done.”