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Hon. Robert Vinikoor (Ret.)
Hon. Robert Vinikoor (Ret.)
Of Counsel
Judge Robert Vinikoor joined the law firm of Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C., in 2017 after serving over 30 years as an Immigration Judge.
Judge Vinikoor was appointed as an Immigration Judge in January 1984. During his long tenure on the immigration bench, Judge Vinikoor has authored numerous precedent-deciding cases covering topics such as crimes involving moral turpitude, aggravated felony offenses, frauds committed at the time of entry and/or adjustment, and claims to U.S. citizenship. Judge Vinikoor’s decisions helped define the age limitations for K-4 beneficiaries seeking adjustment of status, the use of Section 245(i) to waive inadmissibility, and the scope of numerous discretionary waivers. Several published opinions have addressed Judge Vinikoor’s analysis in cases involving burden of proof, marriage fraud, and Section 216(c)(4) evidence. During the past 30 years, Judge Vinikoor has heard evidence in asylum cases worldwide. His decisions have led to a better understanding of the scope and evidence needed to qualify as a refugee under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Upon his retirement from the bench, he was the second most senior Immigration Judge in the country.
Before becoming an Immigration Judge, he was selected under the Department of Justice Honors Program. He started working with the Department in 1976 as a nationality attorney with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Miami, Florida. From 1978 to 1982, he also served as a trial attorney in Chicago. In 1984, he was appointed special assistant U.S. Attorney at Chicago’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Judge Vinikoor has been a frequent lecturer and guest speaker on numerous immigration topics at bar association meetings, continuing legal education seminars, and law school programs. Judge Vinikoor also taught new judges at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. He served as an adjunct professor from 2000 to 2020 at Loyola University School of Law Chicago, teaching immigration law.
Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., University of Baltimore, 1976
- B.A., University of Delaware, 1971
Admissions
- Illinois
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
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I would like to thank Minsky McCormick & Halligan, P.C., and especially Anna Buskila and Albena Daskalova for their help in reinstating my case for reuniting with my family, which I thought was irretrievably lost. Anna and Albena proved to be super professionals, they were always in...
I highly recommend Minsky McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. Aaron Lawee and his legal assistant Ron Montana were so helpful throughout my whole immigration process. They were extremely professional by keeping me updated with my case and always explained everything clearly. I am so thankful for all the...
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Their service was excellent, they helped my mother in the process of obtaining her residence. It took only 8 months! Thanks to their amazing team my mother and I are very thankful and appreciative for their team and the services they provided. Luis Borrero was extremely helpful...
I had a wonderful experience. They are always swift in response and give professional explanations to everything we were not sure about during our green card application process. The process went extremely smoothly. They even mailed me a heart-warming card together with helpful documents after we received...
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