James Pittman: Welcome to Immigration Uncovered, the docketwise video podcast where we dive deep into the dynamic world of immigration law, exploring all angles, practice management, law and policy, and the transformative impact of legal technology. I'm James Pittman. This is episode 30, and we're really happy to, achieve this milestone, 30 episodes of this podcast and going very strong. And today, we're gonna be talking about immigration from Turkey to the United States. So we're gonna spotlight on Turkish immigration.

James Pittman: And it this is gonna be the first of a few episodes where we just spotlight a particular country and examine patterns and trends of immigration from that country. And for today's episode, I'm joined by attorney Amina Shahin Farrakashwoglu, and she is a an attorney licensed both in New York and in Turkey. And, she is joining us today. Amina, welcome.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Thanks, James. Thanks, Amy.

James Pittman: Okay. So can you share with us some insights into current trends regarding immigration of Turkish citizens into the United States, what their interest level is like, and who do you see coming here?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Sure. Turkish people, they're still interesting in coming to the United States a lot. It it's still very trending. And when we check the data, we see that, you know, most of the people applying for the visas is the most applied visa from Turkey is actually the tourist visa. Maybe it's not surprisingly because they wanna see their options first. And approximately in a month almost 8,000 people applying for tourist visa. And in the second trending visa in Turkey is the j one visa which allows, you know, individuals come to the United States, study, and work. You know, it's also known for work and travel visa. And the third one is the 3rd very trending visa type is the student visa which allows applicants you know come to the United States and attend the attend the schools. And most of them also they are later in there finding, some employers, who is willing to sponsor for them. And the 4th the 4th one is the investor's visa which is very very popular especially the E2 the investors visas are very popular in Turkey. And the the last one is h one b's which allows, you know, employers to bring some professionals to the United States temporarily for in some certain areas with, you know, some with some degrees. And but these are the five main visa types for the Turkish, citizens that did they are very popular.

James Pittman: Alright. Let's talk about the j one visa applicants. So j one visa is used in a lot of circumstances where, you know, people wanna gain, advanced training. It's it's used sometimes by medical residents, and, academicians, and others. So who what sort of industries or professions have you seen utilizing the j one?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Actually, it is, like, almost all from, like, all all different from different fields and as you say from medical students and also even sometimes for like for very basic mechanical jobs even they are applying for it. So it is not just for, some degrees or you can even apply for with studies in not even with bachelor's. The only downside for the j one is sometimes there are requirements for, like, 2 years residency requirement which means that when the visa is finishing you have to come you have to back to your country and stay 2 years at least 2 years to do anything else. If you want to come again then you have to wait 2 years. But there's also another option for that. There's some waiver options. Sometimes we can waive these, times as well in the states so they don't have to leave.

James Pittman: Okay. And about the f one students, now do you see mostly undergrads, or are you seeing I'm I'm sure you see them at all levels, but where are the bulk of those? Are they

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: In my experience, they I've it's usually actually after the graduation, like, after grads. Usually, like, the MBAs and and most of I don't know why, but most of them also, like, engineers. Most of the engineers and also some, you know, people who wants to work for Silicon Valley for later. Actually, it's very popular also for them as well.

James Pittman: Okay. And the h one b's, is that also the same profile? A lot of people in tech or

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yes. Same. Especially for the engineers as well, it's the same. And for the h one also, the minimum degree is the bachelor's. So we see the, you know, people there applying at least because they need to have a bachelor's degree, but some of them also already have advanced degrees as well.

James Pittman: Okay. And you mentioned your last category that you mentioned were the investors. So let's talk about what are some of the common reasons motivating Turkish entrepreneurs and business people to seek information to the United States?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I think, first of all, economic situations in Turkey and also in general economic situations in the world. For example, in the past, people, they were they from Turkey, they were, they their urge was, you know, invest to the Europe European countries, you know, in the past because it's very close to the United I mean Turkey and also it is they also had like beautiful agreements with Turkey so for the investors it was easy to invest to the Europe in the past but nowadays the trend is changed because of the economic situation you know after the COVID it's not very also good in Europe as well. So because of that and also I believe also because of some you know political reasons now most of the investors they want to come to the United States. Because also another reason Turkish government also giving some like grants or like incentives for the Turkish investors. Sometimes it is like the rent a grant for up to 4 years. So it is huge. It is very important for them. And also I believe after the online sales, some of the, people, you know, the traders, they are already eligible to apply this type of visas, like, even without invest any more money. There's 2 different categories in, investors visa, and some of them is already eligible as a trader. So they don't have to invest anymore.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: So I think because of that more I think nowadays is more and more Turkish investors also coming to the United States.

James Pittman: Everything you're talking about right now, we're talking specifically about the EVs, or are you also mentioning right now the EB5

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: or just EBISA. But under EBISA, there is, there are 2 different categories. So one of them is e one. The other one is e 2. E one is for the traders. And with e one, you don't have to, invest any money. You don't even have to a company in Turkey, but you need international trade between Turkey and United States. And this international trade if you have also like, if you are trading with other countries as well, but at least 50 percentage of all of this trade has to be with Turkey. So if you have some, you know, if you are bringing some, for example, I don't know, headphones from Turkey and but if it is not just like one transaction job in a year, if you are if it is like continuing transaction and also the trade volume is high enough, then the, the, you know, the person who has a company in the States can apply for this e e one visa. So they don't have to invest any money. But under e two, first of all, they have to bring some money from Turkey, like, legitimately clean money from Turkey. The source of money have to be clean. And but it luckily, there's not any, set number of amount in the manual. So in every case, the officer or, you know, the United I mean, USCIS or the consulate officer, they are checking every case separately. Sometimes $50,000 might be enough but sometimes $1,000,000 might not be enough. So the for the E2, you have to bring some, you know, money to the United States, and then you have to purchase a company. It might be someone someone else's company or you can establish your own company. And then, of course, the company has to run and at least bring some money to enough for the investor and their family. And plus also for the future, create US drops as well.

James Pittman: And our audience will be familiar, I mean, with this category. But, basically, the amount of funds for the e two category just depends on the type of it it depends on the type of business that you're doing, and it has to be sort of commensurate with your business plan. You would come up with a business plan, and it has to be, the company has to be profitable to a greater degree than just simply surviving. Like, it's not in Correct. Right? And, so if it's gonna be, you know, something which does not require a lot of capital at at at the outset, like someone wants to do small, let's say, graphic design firm or marketing firm, that's one thing. But if the plan is to open, like, a restaurant and nightclub with a facility, that's gonna require much more capital.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Definitely correct. If it is like a hairdresser, technically hairdresser is bringing his own skills to the business. So it means that they only need, like, minimum equipment to just to, you know, open it because technically their knowledge is their investment. Their skill is their investment. Correct?

James Pittman: And what about the EB 5 category? Have you, dealt with, those who are

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Not yet. Not yet. Because right now in Turkey, you know, the dollar and the Turkish lira, $1 is almost 32 Turkish liras right now. And I think if I am not sure if I will even have a chance to work on an EB5 right now with nowadays you know with this situation but it's also another investment option for the you know like big investors. This one is for small scale investors, the E2 and E1. But EB5 is for because, you know, the requirements are completely different, you know, it has so I don't have any experience on EB 5.

James Pittman: Okay. But and you mentioned that the Turkish government does provide grants for entrepreneurs. Are they allowed to use those funds to to come to the United States and start the business?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Technically, no. So, yeah, technically so they can do it, but the thing is the Turkish government is giving these grants to the Turkish company not to the US company. So but US company of course I mean a Turkish company can buy shares of a US company or they can establish a company but when they grant the funds they are granting to the Turkish company. Technically it is the same company. It is not like a huge deal but for E2 purposes we cannot use as a source of investment because it is a, you know, it is grand it is not the same thing.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: So they can use it as part of their rent and maybe for later, but not for the e two purposes.

James Pittman: And how do you approach, drafting the business plan? Do you participate in that, or do you prefer to outsource that job, or do you rely on the client to really Yeah.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I'm outsourcing. I am working with 2 different company. 1 of them is a, you know, a Turkish speaking person also she established. And also the other one is also one of the, like, most famous business plan company in the United States. So, I believe it is, like, more more very technical and very important part of the e two application. And because of that, I want if it is possible, I want client to work with a professional company. And if it is possible, I wanna work, you know, with the people that I already know the company I already know because we all I already know their style because it is also important to understand, you know, the topics that they need to mention in the business plan because it is not a business plan for to get a loan. It is not not the same thing. It is not a a simply because they also even need to explain the source of money as well. So it is like it is a teamwork for us. So I definitely prefer to work with professional business plan companies.

James Pittman: Okay. Now let's, talk about the Turkish professionals coming, like, let's say, academicians or other professionals. I mean, what are some of the main drivers for seeking immigration to the US? If somebody's like a new, let's say, new PhD or a new engineer, you know, what's what's the motivation for wanting to come here versus for a job in Turkey? I mean, how how is the economy in a lot of fields in Turkey right now?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I think the first of all, the career opportunities is better in the United States and for some of the fields like it is United States is the lead country for some of these fields. So first of all I believe it's for a better career opportunities and secondly as you say also to live a better life like for a quality life. They also want to be in their family and they want to get their children, you know, educated in the United States schools. Like, maybe, some of them also eligible for government schools as well. So I think but the main focus, I believe, is the better options, like, better economic and career options for the, for these people.

James Pittman: Are there any particular challenges or practical obstacles that you see Turkish immigrants facing when applying for visas to come to the US, which might be, you know, sort of different to, challenges faced by applicants from other countries?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yes. I believe so. I think it's a very good question, by the way. Yeah. So for example, if, if you are from Europe, some of the European countries, they are eligible they are already eligible for visa waivers. They don't have to go to the consulate to get a visa. It is like a Canadian visa, so it is like an electronic visa and they can come here stay 90 days. But for Turkish nations even just get a tourist visa right now, it's almost more than a year. If you want right now, if you will try to get a interview, they will give up maybe, I don't know, like, 2 years later. It is that bad. The first of all, you know, it is very hard to find a date, even a date, and also it is hard to get a visa right now even just for the tourist visa. I believe the reason is you know to increase scrutiny because they are thinking even just for the tourists they are thinking they will go and they will not come back. And because of that they're asking like more proof or intent to return. You know I saw some denials even for business people like they they are in the business for I don't know, for 30 years. They have money, and they, you know, have, in the past, different travels with visas. Even for them is very hard. And I believe the last reason also for that, you know, they are now it is, more hard to get the visa. Also, the people there who've crossed the, you know, crossing the border without a visa, it is also now the numbers are very high also for Turkish citizens as well. I think it's also another reason. So because of that I think so in the past it wasn't like that because it was easy to get a tourist visa. No. Because when people see, you know, 2 years and more, they don't even wanna try their chances. I, you know, I met someone. It was a prospect. He was already eligible for a trader visa. And I was like, why you you did that? Because now we can't do anything. Like and you already have a business here. Now because I think people, they are scared that they are thinking there's no chance for them to get the visa.

James Pittman: That's interesting. That's the thing. Have your have there been any I mean, you you do a lot of work with the e the e one and the e two visa. Yourself actually

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Correct.

James Pittman: Talk about that in a minute. But, I mean, in terms of those EV's, have you have there been any cases, obviously, whatever you can tell us, about, instances where you had to turn people down? You didn't think they had a good case, or you think people are think that they can get the visa, but what they're proposing just wouldn't meet the requirements?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Mhmm. And I some of the, you know, the prospect I think it they were it was not like a bad case, but they were not ready to file right away at the same moment because sometimes they are applying like, when they, you know, try to reach me for a consultation I'm like most of them are good cases but the problem is especially for the E1 trader visa they are thinking for example in a year they did sales with the United States $1,000,000 but they only did in a one transaction. So it is not a trade that you know the manual is looking for. So I'm I had to turn down and I have to say you know you have to come maybe 6 months later. And I want to see like different transactions because they want to see also for the future it will be a continuous transactions as well. So or the most of the problems we are having with these e two cases is some of them transferring the the funds without even consulting an attorney, and sometimes it is very hard to explain the source of the money. So it is also another obstacle you know with the investors And but nowadays, I think because of all these social media videos and everything, now they're more educated, and they don't do anything before consulting an immigration attorney. But also in the past, it was very you know, I was seeing it a lot, you know, people there just transferring the money and they they are thinking oh it's my money so I earn it. But okay but still you know you just transfer it for example $200,000 in a one light. So, poof, just one night. So it doesn't mean that is, you know, the source of the money is clear. It's it's not something that we can explain.

James Pittman: Let's talk about that. Let's talk about, the re the requirement that, obviously, the money come from a legal source. I mean, how do you document that, and what, is this what is the embassy or consulate looking for in terms of making sure that the money was obtained legitimize legitimately?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Actually, I'm very lucky because I was an attorney in Turkey as well, and also I didn't you know, I I came here also with a e two result. Because of that, I I know the the documentations very well. For example, for if you are selling a house in Turkey, I know exactly the process and what proof we need from you know from the client. And also if they, you know, sell a car or you know, it is it is very easy for me to lead them, you know, to ask them, you know, to bring some documents. But for the consulate, for the source of the money, as an attorney, we have to prepare you know a package like very detailed because it is one of the most important part of the application. They wanna you know, to consolidate and the USAA wants to be, you know, shorted. This is a this is from a legitimate source. So I am, preparing a whole experiment. Sometimes it is just, you know, this party is 200 pages because some of these companies they have like a lot of transactions and so they are sending the money in not just one transaction and every time for example one source is they sell sold their house and the other part is from the business. So sometimes it is, like, very complicated.

James Pittman: Alright. Well, tell us about let let's, take a a minute to talk about your own personal journey as an e two visa holder. Just tell us your story about how how how it came about. I mean, you you went to law school first in Turkey. I think it was Editecepi University.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yep. Correct.

James Pittman: Okay. Tell us the story.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. Sure. So when I was at Guilitepe University before all of this, journey so in 2007, I came to the United States. I came, to the United States for a summer school in, at Stony Brook University. And and at that summer, you know, I was planning to come back. And after that, in 2015, my husband and me, we decided to move to the United States. So before that I graduated and I started my own practice in Turkey and I worked as a 24 or 5 years because it was something that I also I want to do in my life. Because I was thinking if I will come here directly you know to the United States without practicing in Turkey I was thinking I might miss a chance or I might you know it might be always a question mark for me. What would happen if I stay in Turkey. So I just want to deal with it first. So I worked as an attorney for 5 years and then my husband and me so we were looking for our options. And so we saw that, you know, investor's visa is the best for us because we realized that like if we will get the visa under my husband's name, I can attend school as a derivative e2 holder. So because of that, my husband was the, main applicant. I was, you know, the derivative. And after that, I started to work for a law firm here. And later, I tried to do my LLM, my master's degree at Torol Law School. So I graduated and at the same time, I I was still working for a law firm as a paralegal. Total, I worked for 5 years. And then I passed the bar exam, and now I'm here, so I opened my own practice.

James Pittman: Couple of questions. What was the what was the business your husband established to come here as an investor?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: It is also very interesting because he was a, a he is actually a computer programmer, but also he was an investor when he was in Turkey as well. So he had his own PVC producing factory. It was like a very big facility. So but after that, so we decided to purchase a Turkish restaurant.

James Pittman: So wait. PVC PVC polyvinyl chloride?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. It is the plastic, you know, the PVC and

James Pittman: things like that. Yeah.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. Correct. I just wanna

James Pittman: make sure that I I understood that. Sure.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. Correct. So, yeah, after that so, he was already also he he also had a restaurant before in Turkey. But, so we decided to buy a Turkish restaurant here, and then we applied for e 2 and, you know, it was good. We we got our visa. And then yeah.

James Pittman: So what's it so tell us a little bit about the differences between law school in the US and and in Turkey and the the the legal profession. Here, we have, you know, a lot of firms, but we also have many large firms that kind of, you know, handle work for companies and things. Is that the same there?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. It's definitely the same. But, also, it is I believe it is also more popular for the new attorneys to start their own practice. Here, I think it is kind of like harder to start, but in Turkey, it is easier because there are also some, you know, of the opportunities for young attorneys which is provided by Istanbul Bar. So it is kind of, like, easier. But here, I believe, it is not that easy. But maybe with now with the virtual office and with the maybe social media now, it is getting easier here as well. But in Turkey, it is almost same. Like, we have, some people, you know, some professionals, they are only doing their own practice. They are working as solo attorneys or small practitioners and also, like, very huge pretty big firms as well.

James Pittman: And but Turkey is a civil law country.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yes. Correct.

James Pittman: Yeah. Totally different. So how has that changed?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: It's changed a lot, but my only maybe it's my chance because technically for the immigration law we are doing something similar. Because so in Turkey it is also like even if you will go to the court you will try to say judge blah blah blah and they will say just send me the you know the paperwork. Don't don't talk. But here I know it's different but for immigration especially for business immigration like everything is on the paper. So you it is very similar to the other cases that I deal with in Turkey because technically I have it like this kind of like support letter. It is the main thing in the application and all other documentation or, you know, the other, the proof, you know, the document. So I I just for this part, I think it's very similar. So you just need to know what is the purpose and you you need to understand the instructions very well and then, you know, put the documents together.

James Pittman: Yeah. And it's worth noting, you know, Turkey has its own investor visa program, which has become quite popular with people around the world who would like to go there and, and work or live, etcetera. You you have a background in in now when you when you established your practice in Turkey, I mean, what what fields were you working in at that time?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: So I was doing, like, I was doing everything a little bit, but I but my main also focus because in Turkey, we don't have, like, very citric fields like here. We don't have nobody says for example I only do I'm a family attorney. Nobody tells that. But in general because of all the years you know when I was practicing in time, you know, most of my clients, they were from I had some labor law, I had some employees cases, and I did criminal law as well and, real estate law as well. Like, actually, I did almost, like, everything, but my, you know, like, most, cases that I worked on, they were on this, field.

James Pittman: So you you mentioned working with victims of domestic violence. So you did that as part of your your law practice. Can you tell us a little bit about that? And Yeah. Sure. Curious as, you know, how would you compare the situation of women and, instances of domestic violence? How's that treated in Turkey versus the US?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: So when I was, at, we we got some different classes. Like, if we compare to other universities, we got different classes such as women rights law or human rights law And so it was because of that I was already trained like a little bit about the topic but it was also my, you know, my focus I wanna also learn more. And also Istanbul Bar is giving special trainings for the attorneys who wants to deal with this type of cases. So to get the cases from the Istanbul Bar you have to get this training and also you have to get a certificate. They were teaching us besides the, you know, the laws and besides the law part, they were teaching us how to approach these type of victims and how to talk, you know, with them or, you know, the the the other possible options for them. For example, if they they are eligible to get, some help from the government like for example if they need I mean houses. So they were teaching us that who should be our contact person and we have a case like that. So it was it was kind of like hard to work on this type of cases and, you know, because the subject is already very heavy hard. But, when I compare it with here so and, also, I wanna say something else. So in the past, the law was, you know, protecting, the abused women more, but now also it's changing in Turkey. Maybe now it will change again. But yeah. So but also for here, there are also options for the immigrants if they are, you know, subject for domestic violence or, you know, abuse. But the problem is, for example, they can apply for VAVA cases, but the applications are pending. Like, the the waiting time is ridiculous. It is very long and nobody because of that, nobody wants to do because there's no any point if, you know, they will approve the cases. I don't know. Like, 2 years later. So it is very hard. But I believe lots of people also, they don't know their rights here as well as a, you know, immigrant. If even if they cross the border, they don't know if they are eligible for this type of cases.

James Pittman: So you mentioned I wanna explore a couple of things because I'm curious. You mentioned that the law on Turkey is changing, and it sounded like not in a good way, or it it used to be more supportive in the past than it is now. What did it it correctly? What happened?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. So there is a law in Turkey. It is protecting, you know, the woman, especially not just women, but especially the abused women. And because it's signed in Istanbul it is an international agreement because it's signed in Istanbul they called it Istanbul agreement in everywhere. So now you know I don't know what is the logic behind this but now they are trying to, you know, you know, cancel about everything, this law Istanbul agreement. And and now they're kind of, like, successful. So in the past, you were it was very easy to contact with the, police and get, for example, some orders for these type of cases, but now it is harder. Nobody wants to touch this type of cases, and nobody wants to do anything. I think it's also a little maybe it's they are thinking, you know, it's like a family matter. They shouldn't they shouldn't touch or they shouldn't do anything. So

James Pittman: And, do you see and have you seen, like, VAWA cases, I 360 cases?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Here some consultations.

James Pittman: In airplane?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: But I am not sure if it is something that, you know, I wanna do, like, all the time because I wanna do maybe as a, like, pro bono in a year a couple of them. But I don't it they are really also hard cases. Like, it is hard. We're very hard to work on VAWA cases. I just did some consultations and then try to connect these people to the correct attorneys and correct, you know, organizations.

James Pittman: So your I mean, obviously, your main focus is employment based immigration and investor visas. I mean, how much how much of that how much of your practice is the investor and the employment based?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I believe almost, like, 70 percentage.

James Pittman: 70%. Yeah. And the rest of it would

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: be Rest of it is mhmm. Family based, naturalization, like, other type of cases like j one, f one.

James Pittman: Are you doing any non immigration cases at the moment?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I am also doing, like, a little bit of, like, business immigration I mean, business law. For example, for the companies, for the investors, if they wanna set up a company here. Sometimes I if they don't have, you know, a business, attorney or if they don't order the account or CPA, I'm also helping them to set up their companies in the states. Like, to I'm helping them to choose the correct type of the company

James Pittman: and Incorporation, choice of

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. LLC. Mhmm.

James Pittman: Yes. Okay. Good to know. Good to know. So, can you discuss you you I I saw that you have a collaboration with Serac Law Firm in Turkey. And what's what's that collaboration about, and how does that enhance your ability to provide guidance Yeah. On matters that are related to

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Serac Law is the, you know, the law office also, Right now, I'm also an attorney in Turkey. It is also my office as well. So it is technically mhmm. So, you know, it is my official address as well. And also we are working together. For example, if I need local, help from, you know, the if I need any documents from the course or anything, so we are working together. Or if I need, like, updated information about some situations, I am connecting with them. Or if they have a, you know, if they already have a contact and they're if they want to do, investors visa or if they are interested in coming to the United States or we are working together. We have clients together as well.

James Pittman: Are there any issues relating to the difference between the legal systems in Turkey versus in the US that you see causing confusion for the clients?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yes. Yeah. I think there there is there there are lots of confusions. So, first of all, in Turkey, when you have an attorney, they're they're thinking attorney is your, like, best friend, and they will, you know, keep your secrets. And but in the, you know, with immigration, for example, we cannot they don't understand. We cannot file fraudulent Say again?

James Pittman: Is is do is that just a cultural attitude that they they bring, with them? That that's,

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I believe so. I believe so. So yeah. And they have the same urge also here as well. Like, they they want to say something like they want to say the things that if I will you know if I know you know there's no way that I will represent them. So they don't understand this part and I don't know like it is it is I think very hard because in Turkey it is kind of like custom that technically you maybe, you know, you might know some things but still you can represent them. But here it's especially for immigration law, it is different. So I think the main thing is, this part. And also they don't, because we only have one system, one unique system, so it means that one unique law system through the whole Turkey. But here, there's, you know, states and federal law. So sometimes even, for example, when they want to set up a company in New York, they don't understand. Sometimes, also, they need to, you know, check the requirements for federal law as well. You know, this is also, I think, very challenging in general for, Turkish citizen.

James Pittman: Well, I mean, in Turkey, obviously, each, you know, city or municipality and and province has some administrative structures. But do you mean to say that, like, the law in in the the virtual I mean, do you mean to say that the law is gonna be exactly the same in Istanbul as it's gonna be, let's say, in in Doctor. Bakr or somewhere in another part of the country. I mean, are there any regional differences in law?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. Re yes. But in for example, for criminal law, we only have one rule book. And, for example, if someone will steal in Turkey, they will get the same, you know, punishment if they do it in Yarbakir as well. But, of course, there are some little different, rules but just for maybe like for small, small cities. But it's not like here. So it is completely different.

James Pittman: Emmy, what do you most enjoy about practicing immigration law and helping individuals achieve their immigration goals?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: First of all, I'm enjoying a lot working as a immigration attorney because every time so when I work on a case, it is all different like different type of field for for investors visa. Every time I need to learn from the beginning for some of the different areas. For example, sometimes I am researching the restaurants because I want to understand the first the business and then I wanna because it is kind of a dream that we are seeing together and I want the officer to see the same dream as well with us for the future. So I'm trying to understand the whole thing and then I'm trying to explain it. So this is very challenging and also at the same time it is good. And also I'm kind of like part of their dream. I'm helping them to to, you know, to reach their goals. And also because I was in the same situation before, it is also very fulfilling for me, you know, to help them to make their dream, true come true.

James Pittman: Now New York has a pretty large Turkish community. Are you are you active in it?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Yeah. So in, I think New York is one of the New York is one of the, biggest populations for the Turkish, citizens, you know, the the Turkish immigrants.

James Pittman: And what's what's your participation like?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Mhmm. So, we have a Turkish house in the Turkish consulate. Like, it's a building for Turkish, people and for Turkish air organizations, they can do some events here. It's also very close it's on the first street I'm on the sixth street in the city. So they are organizing lots of events. Some of them they are organized by the, the consulate, you know, the Turkish government and some of them is organizing by you know, the other organizations. For example, yesterday, even I attend the event at the consulate. So, you know, it is all really good because it gives us, you know, to it gives me the opportunity to meet with new people and also the and I'm also, you know, the young attorney, and also they they have a chance to meet meet me. So and, also, there are other organizations that that I am, attending their events as well. New York is very, you know, popular for for, the Turkish nations because of that. There are lots of organizations, lots of nonprofit organizations also in New York that established by Turkish people.

James Pittman: Yeah. Absolutely. And, you know, it's it's very interesting to see it see it develop because I remember, you know, when I first went to Turkey 30 years ago or so, you know, there were not that many Turkish people in the United States. There I mean, there have been a few examples in history of people who became, you know, famous who originally came from Turkey, but not a lot. It wasn't a country of that gave us a lot of immigrants until recent years. I would say the last probably 15 or so years, I think the number of people immigrating from Turkey

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: to

James Pittman: United States has increased a lot. Do you agree?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Definitely. I'm agreeing with you. And also I believe another reason is the social media. Now because in the past, I think it was a kind of like a very hard dream for Turkish people to even to move to the United States. But now lots of people there you know doing like even at the airport they are starting streaming so they are starting and other people there know it seems like it's easy. And also they are sharing their experiences and sometimes they're you know for some of them it is really easy to come to the United States. I think it's also another reason now because they can imagine. They can dream about it. Like, in the past, I think the Europe, especially Germany, was like the main you know, country for the Turkish people, you know, when they wanna change the country. But now I think it is United States.

James Pittman: Okay. And how do you envision the future of immigration from Turkey to the US? Do you think this this trend will continue? Yes. Think there's anything that could happen that would change it?

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: I think the trend will continue, because if something will change, if the, the law of like, immigration law in the states will change, I think it still will not affect the people who has money and who who wants to invest to the United States. Because even with, you know, in the the Trump area, it was the same for the investors. We didn't see any changes in the for the investors visa in the past. So I think it will not change this part but it might maybe affect the people who is already in the states without status like the Turkish nationals who doesn't have any status. Maybe it might affect them. And for the situations in general with the consulate with the waiting time, I don't know what will happen. Hopefully, it will change too because after COVID, it is it is getting now it's kind of like better, but in the past, in 15 days, we were eligible to set up an interview date for applications for the visa interviews. But now sometimes it is more than a year. So hopefully, this will also change. If it it will change, I believe we will see more people will apply for also this type of especially for the investors' business.

James Pittman: Yeah. Yeah. The backlog of appointments is just a problem globally. That's Yes. Yes. That's just a

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: problem. Yeah.

James Pittman: Well, I mean, it's it's been a fascinating discussion. I really enjoyed talking to you. We're gonna stick around in just a minute and do a a short, segment in Turkish language for your Turkish audience, but I really appreciate you joining me today.

Emine Sahin Karakaslioglu: Thank you.

James Pittman: I definitely enjoyed, talking about Turkish immigration to the United States. Thank you. Again, next time on Immigration Uncovered. And if you wanna hear the Turkish language segment, stick in. Herkis and Merhaba. Docketwise, Gochmenlik, Yasalomu, Tarefandan, Uretilen, Immigration Uncovered. Yani Gochmenlik Achoo Chokaroldo, Podkastina, Hochgaldonis, Ben James Pittman. Mukunku, Program Amazon,

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