About Hannaford Immigration Law · Boston
Hannaford Immigration Law is a Boston-based immigration-only law firm founded by Paul C. Hannaford, Esq. in July 2013, located in the Financial District at 265 Franklin Street. The firm represents individuals, families, and businesses across the full spectrum of U.S. immigration matters — green cards, asylum, deportation defense, citizenship, and non-immigrant visas — for clients locally in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, throughout the U.S., and worldwide. Principal attorney Paul Hannaford, himself a former visa and green-card holder who became a U.S. citizen, leads the practice alongside attorney Amelia M. Levine.
Hannaford Immigration Law was established in July 2013 by Paul C. Hannaford, Esq. after he personally navigated the U.S. immigration system as a foreign national — born in Hong Kong with dual British and Irish citizenship, he once held a non-immigrant visa and then a green card before becoming a U.S. citizen. Those experiences drove him to devote his practice exclusively to immigration law, where today he helps individuals, families, and employers obtain legal status in the United States. Before founding the firm, Paul was a founding partner at Foster & Hannaford, LLP (Oct 2011 – Jun 2013); earned his LLB (Hons) at Northumbria University in the U.K. (2001–2006); worked in financial services at Merrill Lynch in Ireland; and gained experience in both criminal and civil law. The Boston firm handles every category of immigration work — family-based and employment-based green cards, the Diversity Visa Lottery, asylum and refugee claims, withholding of removal, deportation and removal defense (including cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, waivers, and legalization/registry), citizenship and naturalization, adjustment of status, humanitarian visas such as DACA, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, and VAWA petitions for battered spouses and children, as well as the full alphabet of non-immigrant visas (B-1/B-2 visitors, H-1B specialty workers, E-1/E-2/E-3 treaty and Australian visas, L-1 intracompany transferees, O-1 extraordinary ability, P athletes and entertainers, R-1 religious workers, TN NAFTA professionals, I foreign media, F-1/M-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and K fiancé(e) visas). Attorney Hannaford is admitted to the New York State Bar (since 2010), is a Massachusetts notary, and is admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; he is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the American Bar Association. He has argued before the U.S. Immigration Court and USCIS and represents clients pro bono through Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), Lutheran Social Services, and the Political Asylum Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project. Attorney Amelia M. Levine, who joined the firm after starting as a paralegal, is a Massachusetts-bar attorney with a J.D. from Massachusetts School of Law, an M.A. in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin, and a B.A. in International Affairs and Anthropology from Northeastern University; her practice is limited to immigration law. The firm has been recognized as a Top 3 Immigration Lawyer in Boston (Top 3 Rated, 2015) and as a recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Immigration Law – Massachusetts award. Online review platforms consistently rate the firm in the high 4s to 5.0 range across hundreds of client reviews.
- In business
- Founded July 2013
- Owner
- Paul C. Hannaford, Esq. (Principal Attorney / Founder)
- Serves
- Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and the greater Boston area; throughout the entire United States; and worldwide for international clients
- Rating
- 4.9/5 on TrustAnalytica (48 reviews); 5.0 (68 reviews) on DosFinds; 8.8/10 on Avvo (8 client reviews); firm's own testimonial page shows 77 reviews with average rating
Firm Overview and History
Hannaford Immigration Law was founded in July 2013 by Paul C. Hannaford, Esq. and is located at 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1702, in the heart of Boston's Financial District — close to both South Station and Downtown Crossing Station, with on-site parking available. The practice is devoted exclusively to U.S. immigration and nationality law, serving individuals, families, and businesses locally in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville; throughout the entire United States; and clients worldwide. The firm has earned recognition including the Top 3 Immigration Lawyers in Boston award (Top 3 Rated, January 2015) and the Sustained Excellence in Immigration Law – Massachusetts award.
- Founded July 2013
- Single-focus immigration law firm
- Located in Boston's Financial District
- Serves Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, the U.S., and international clients
Principal Attorney — Paul C. Hannaford, Esq.
Paul C. Hannaford is the founder and principal attorney. Born in Hong Kong with dual British and Irish citizenship, he personally navigated the U.S. immigration system as a non-immigrant visa holder and green-card holder before becoming a U.S. citizen — an experience that drew him to immigration law. He earned his LLB (Hons) at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. (2001–2006), was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2010, and is also admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and is a Massachusetts notary. Before founding his current firm, he co-founded Foster & Hannaford, LLP (Oct 2011 – Jun 2013), and earlier worked at Merrill Lynch in Ireland and in criminal and civil practice. He has successfully argued before the U.S. Immigration Court and USCIS.
- Born in Hong Kong; U.K. and Irish dual citizen; now U.S. citizen
- LLB (Hons), Northumbria University, U.K.
- Admitted: New York State Bar (2010), Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Member: AILA, American Bar Association
- Previously founding partner, Foster & Hannaford, LLP
Attorney — Amelia M. Levine
Amelia M. Levine is an attorney at Hannaford Immigration Law whose practice is limited to immigration law. She started at the firm as a paralegal, knows the practice from the ground up, and brings a wide international background to her work. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs and Anthropology from Northeastern University, a Master's in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin, and a Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law. She is a member of the Massachusetts state bar.
- B.A., International Affairs & Anthropology, Northeastern University
- M.A., International Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin
- J.D., Massachusetts School of Law
- Massachusetts Bar member
- Started at the firm as a paralegal before becoming an attorney
Permanent Residency (Green Cards)
The firm helps clients obtain lawful permanent residence (a 'green card') through the major eligibility categories — family, employment, and the Diversity Visa Lottery — as well as through special categories such as VAWA, K non-immigrant fiancé(e)s, V non-immigrants, widow(er)s of U.S. citizens, and persons born to foreign diplomats in the U.S. The attorneys handle both adjustment of status (for clients inside the U.S.) and consular processing (for clients abroad), and monitor Visa Bulletin priority dates for clients whose categories are oversubscribed.
- Family-based Green Card (Immediate Relatives, Preference Categories)
- Employment-based Green Card
- Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery)
- Adjustment of Status
- Consular Processing
- VAWA, K, V, Widow(er), and special-category filings
Asylum, Refugee Status, and Withholding of Removal
Hannaford Immigration represents individuals seeking asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The firm prepares asylum applications, readies clients for interviews and hearings, adjusts status from asylee or refugee to lawful permanent resident, and pursues withholding of removal when asylum is unavailable. Paul Hannaford has personally argued asylum and withholding cases in U.S. Immigration Court and volunteers pro bono with the PAIR Project on these matters.
- Affirmative and defensive asylum applications
- Refugee status adjustment
- Withholding of Removal (INA §241(b)(3))
- Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
- Pro bono representation through the PAIR Project
Relief from Deportation and Removal Defense
The firm represents clients in removal proceedings before the U.S. Immigration Court, including individuals who have been issued a Notice to Appear or who already have a deportation/removal order. Hannaford Immigration evaluates every available form of relief — cancellation of removal for permanent residents and non-permanent residents, waivers of removability, voluntary departure, adjustment of status in proceedings, legalization, registry, and asylum-based defenses — and handles motions to reopen or appeal removal orders.
- Cancellation of Removal (LPR and non-LPR)
- Waivers of Removability
- Voluntary Departure
- Adjustment of Status in removal proceedings
- Legalization and Registry
- Motions to reopen and appeals
Citizenship and Naturalization
The firm assists clients in applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization (Form N-400). The attorneys help clients evaluate eligibility — including continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, and English/civics requirements — prepare the application, gather supporting documentation, and prepare clients for the naturalization interview and the English and civics tests.
- Naturalization application (N-400)
- Eligibility assessment
- Interview preparation
- Citizenship for family members of U.S. citizens
Humanitarian Visas — DACA, TPS, U Visas, and VAWA
Hannaford Immigration handles humanitarian and protection-based immigration benefits. The firm prepares initial and renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of designated countries, U visas for crime victims, and VAWA self-petitions for battered spouses and children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. These benefits often include work authorization (EAD) and may allow travel with advance parole.
- DACA (initial and renewal)
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- U visa for crime victims
- VAWA self-petitions (battered spouse or child)
- Work authorization (EAD) and advance parole
Temporary (Non-Immigrant) Visas
The firm secures short-term, purpose-specific visas for visitors, workers, students, and exchange visitors. Hannaford Immigration handles the full alphabet of non-immigrant categories, advises on which visa fits each client's purpose, and prepares clients for both consular interviews abroad and change-of-status applications inside the U.S.
- B-1/B-2 Business and tourist visitor visas (and Visa Waiver Program)
- H-1B Specialty occupation worker; H-4 dependent
- E-1 Treaty Trader; E-2 Treaty Investor; E-3 Australian professional
- L-1A/L-1B Intracompany transferee; L-2 dependent
- O-1 Extraordinary ability; O-3 dependent
- P Athletes, entertainers, culturally unique programs
- R-1 Religious worker; R-2 dependent
- TN NAFTA professionals (Canada/Mexico)
- I Representatives of foreign media
- F-1 Academic student; M-1 Vocational student
- J-1 Exchange visitor
- K-1 fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen; K-3 spouse
Pro Bono and Community Service
Hannaford Immigration Law is active in the immigrant community and works with several charities on a pro bono basis. Attorney Hannaford has represented undocumented immigrants through a civil litigation pro bono program and continues to volunteer with Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), Lutheran Social Services, and the Political Asylum Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project, representing clients in immigration court. Attorney Amelia Levine also started her career as a paralegal at the firm.
- Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) — pro bono immigration court representation
- Lutheran Social Services — pro bono immigration work
- PAIR Project — Political Asylum Immigration Representation
- Prior pro bono work with a civil litigation firm representing undocumented immigrants
Office Location, Hours, and Contact
The firm is in the heart of Boston's Financial District at 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1702, Boston, MA 02110, with easy access from public transit (near South Station and Downtown Crossing) and on-site parking. Standard office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Phone and email inquiries are answered Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Consultations are available in person at the Boston office or virtually; after-hours and weekend consultations are by appointment. The firm accepts payment in person, by phone, by mail, by card, cash, or check, and offers payment plans.
- Address: 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1702, Boston, MA 02110
- Phone: (617) 855-8593; Fax: (617) 701-7629
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Phone hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- In-person and virtual consultations available
- Payment plans accepted; card, cash, check, phone, mail, and in-person
Client Reviews and Recognition
Hannaford Immigration Law consistently earns top marks across third-party review platforms, including a 4.9/5 average from 48+ TrustAnalytica reviews, a 5.0 rating from 68 reviews on DosFinds, and an 8.8/10 score on Avvo. The firm's own testimonial page displays 77 reviews highlighting themes of professionalism, meticulous case preparation, responsiveness, compassion, and successful outcomes — particularly in asylum and family-based cases. Independent recognitions include Top 3 Immigration Lawyers in Boston (Top 3 Rated, Jan 2015) and Sustained Excellence in Immigration Law – Massachusetts (Jan 2015).
- Top 3 Immigration Lawyers in Boston – Top 3 Rated (Jan 2015)
- Sustained Excellence in Immigration Law – Massachusetts (Jan 2015)
- 77+ reviews on firm's own testimonial page
- 4.9/5 on TrustAnalytica; 5.0 on DosFinds; 8.8 on Avvo