Hera Javed, a Class of 2010 graduate, brings her first-hand experience as an undocumented immigrant to her law practice, helping various clients — from artists to startups — navigate the U.S. immigration system. Undaunted by the increasing legal challenges to immigrants created by the Trump Administration, Hera views them as opportunities to flex her strategic thinking and creativity. As a new mother, she pays close attention to finding the balance of meeting the needs of her family, her clients, and her own mental health. Here, she tells us how she gets it done.
On her typical morning
If you asked me this question six months ago, it would be a very different answer. Now, my mornings consist of a 5:00 a.m. wake-up time so that I can breast pump, relax, and have coffee before my 6-month-old daughter wakes up (usually around 6:00 a.m.). At 6:00 a.m., I get to spend about an hour and half of quality time with her before I head out for work. I’m lucky if I get to ask Alexa the weather!
On how she spends her downtime
Running a law practice gives me very little downtime. Work isn’t just a daytime affair. I often attend various client events in the evenings and do talks with the startup world. With the time this leaves me, I hop on the Pelaton at night (even if it’s for just 30 minutes), make sure I go to the Farmer’s Market every Saturday, and home-cook daily meals so the family can sit together for dinner. Cooking lets me get creative and indulge! I am an avid reader, although my books now consist of “Baby Led Weaning” and “The Montessori Method.”
On her time at CUNY Law
While at CUNY Law, I was president of the Muslim Law Students Association, an editor on the Law Review, and was a part of the Immigration & Non-Citizen Rights Clinic, which was then known as the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Clinic. I was also involved in the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability and Responsibility Project (CLEAR). Since CLEAR initiated my clinical year, I had the privilege of helping put together the Know Your Rights Trainings and visited local mosques to give presentations.
On how she stays engaged, motivated, and balanced
I have never needed to be motivated or engaged because if there is one thing I will never get bored of in life, it’s immigration law. I truly love what I do. Balancing, on the other hand, is a separate question. Almost a decade later, I still struggle with balancing. What has started to work for me is creating a clear division of “work time” and “me time.” I never look at my phone until I get onto the subway in the morning, and I put away my phone once I start cooking dinner. This allows my brain to take a mental break. I also do not respond to work emails over the weekend. I check emails, but I’ve made a system of marking them in priority so that I can respond Monday morning. I’ve learned to be aware of my emotions and realize when I feel overwhelmed. It’s so easy to ignore your own mental health, so I check in with myself every week. In fact, I recently did a workshop on secondary trauma for immigration lawyers and it reinforced my weekly check-ins with myself. Doing a check-in means that sometimes I realize I am doing perfectly fine, but other times it means that I need to get a massage or plan my next vacation.
On how her personal experience in the U.S. immigration system informs her law practice
Having lived in this country undocumented and having maneuvered the system, I know first-hand what each piece of the puzzle feels like. Because I know the frustrations and the life that comes with being undocumented, I am able to give my clients the representation they need. My past brings something indescribable to my practice. When a client is telling me what their goals are and why they want to live in the U.S., I hear something beyond the words. I think of their dreams and the idea that they can accomplish whatever they put their mind to, so long as I can resolve their immigration matter. This inspires me because I see myself as someone who is helping them with just this one piece. Ultimately, it’s their passions, dreams, hard work, and accomplishments that will change their lives. Obtaining lawful status in the U.S. opened so many doors for me, and I have seen it do the same for my clients. My clients almost always become my friends, and I am grateful for the happy tears along the way.
On what she loves most about her work
I love getting creative and strategizing. If there is one thing the Trump Administration did for me that I appreciate, it is that I have exponentially increased my ability to strategize in immigration law. I have found a new love of creative writing where it wasn’t needed before.
On overcoming the challenges of current U.S. immigration policy with her clients
Each and every immigrant is a teller of their story. Our practice invites people from around the world to stand up to an immigration system that has made it incredibly difficult for them to remain in or come to the U.S. Once they do this, they are able to go back into their communities and lead others to do the same. The skills you learn just by virtue of having gone through the process are transformative.
Hera recommends:
Read Amy Goodman’s Standing up to the Madness! It inspires you to take chances.