Irene M. Recio

Irene M. Recio joined the firm in 2011 as Special Counsel. Recio brings over 14 years of experience in the area of immigration law. She has successfully representedindividual and corporate clients in affirmative filings with the U.S. Government, including applications for temporary and permanent residency and naturalization, as well as defensive procedures before the U.S. Department of State and Immigration Court.

Recio has unique and proven expertise counseling employers on conformance with recently enacted Homeland Security regulations and compliance with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act, as well as defense against work-site enforcement proceedings by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for alleged violations of immigration law. She also provides affirmative training to employers to avoid “raids” of their employees and operations and avoid federal debarment repercussions.

As part of her law practice, Recio has also represented clients seeking political asylum in the United States on the basis of prior persecution as a result of political opinion, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, and has considerable experience with international adoptions. She has been active in efforts to reform current immigration procedures. Recio has been involved in numerous pro bono efforts representing individuals in deportation proceedings and as counsel to non-profit organizations including the Whitman Walker Clinic, the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence in Virginia, The Latin America Youth Center in Washington D.C. and other educational institutions. Recio also volunteers for several community non-profit organizations providing free legal services to indigent immigrants.

In addition, Recio has written numerous articles and lectures on current challenges and solutions for foreign nationals and refugees in the United States. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law, a Master’s degree from the University of Miami School of International Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Economics from the University of Miami. She has been recognized as a "Top Immigration Lawyer" by the Washington Business Journal, and as one Virginia's best "Immigration/Naturalization" attorneys by the Virginia Business Magazine. Recio has served as Chair of the Board of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and served on other professional association boards.

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia
• Florida

Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court

Education

• J.D., University of Miami School of Law
• M.A., University of Miami School of International Studies
• B.A., Journalism and Economics, University of Miami

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• French

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