Rebecca Press is a distinguished immigration attorney recognized for her legal expertise and unwavering commitment to supporting community-centered advocacy efforts. With over a decade of experience, she champions her clients’ causes and actively supports communities through education, advocacy, and legal support. Rebecca has represented hundreds of clients in various immigration matters before the Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals. She has a robust practice before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals where she litigates complex areas of the law. Notable cases include Martinez de Artiga v. Barr, 961 F.3d 586 (2d Cir. 2020) (oral argument), Castro Perez v. Wilkinson, 833 Fed Appx. 913 (2d Cir. 2022) (oral argument), and Pucha Quituizaca v. Garland, 52 F.4th 103 (2d Cir. 2022) (oral argument). Read more
Rebecca played an instrumental role in the creation and implementation of two ground-breaking programs expanding immigrants’ access to legal representation in New York State. The Rapid Response Legal Collaborative, launched in the Fall of 2019 and a first of its kind initiative, responds to the legal needs of people already ordered removed and at imminent risk of detention and/or removal. The Pro Se Plus Project, launched in January 2023, responds to the legal needs of the thousands of recently arrived migrants to New York. Both projects prioritize expanded access to legal representation and supporting communities through education. Under Rebecca’s leadership, UnLocal, where she was the Legal Director from May 2019 to September 2023, developed robust educational programs for directly impacted communities and their supporters. The programming ensures that the highest quality legal information is presented in the most accessible way, and has reached over 25,000 people thus far. Rebecca has distinguished herself through exceptional supervisory leadership, and her career is marked by her dedication to mentorship and the growth of legal professionals under her guidance. She has had the privilege of working closely with dozens of new advocates, training them to become fierce, compassionate, and client-centered practitioners, thereby extending her impact far beyond individual cases. She has also provided online seminars to thousands of attorneys, advocates, and community members, imparting her extensive knowledge of immigration law and practice. In May 2023, Rebecca was awarded an inaugural Nonprofit Trailblazers Award by the New York Nonprofit Media in recognition of her cutting edge representation of New York’s undocumented communities for over a decade. A graduate of Oberlin College, Rebecca received her JD from New York University’s School of Law.
