Tahmina Watson, Immigration Attorney & Activist

Tahmina is an immigration attorney, published author, speaker, podcast host, family rights advocate and activist.  Through her interminable work helping businesses and families she has distinguished herself as an accomplished and renowned specialist in US immigration law. She frequently works with leading media outlets such as Forbes, Bloomberg and CNN as a commenter and columnist and speaks around the country on immigration law and social justice issues.  Just like the legal heroes she writes about in her newest book she is commandeering change in the world by ensuring immigrants and their families have the resources and assistance they need to be free to thrive.

Tahmina knows quite well the life of immigration. Born and raised in the UK to a Bangladesh family, she attended and completed her law degree at Brunel University.  After finishing her pupillage (UK for apprenticeship) from Bridewell Chambers, Tahmina continued as a practicing barrister handling mainly criminal defense matters before making a huge life change and relocating to the United States in 2005. She is now a US immigrant and naturalized citizen and as a result she possesses an understanding and empathy that make her work as much a calling as a career.

Upon arriving in the US, Tahmina was at first hesitant to enter into immigration law.  However, the universe had different plans and after many pulls and pushes in that direction she started practicing immigration law.  From the very first moment in practice she knew that was the work she was meant to do. For her, the most rewarding part has been seeing the immediate impact on an individual’s or often a family’s life. It’s been a privilege to have that excitement to share with somebody in which their life has completely changed. 

She founded Watson Immigration Law in 2009 and the firm represents U.S. and multinational companies that required high-skilled workers from other countries, non-US businesses opening offices in this country, startups with founders from other countries, and investors expanding their businesses in the US. Additionally, the firm’s work in family immigration has succeeded in uniting many spouses, parents and children so that they can enjoy stable, cohesive family units.  While her practice includes investor, family and employment-based immigration, she has a strong focus on immigrant entrepreneurs and start-up companies.

Tahmina is also an author, blogger and frequent speaker on immigration law matters.  A passionate advocate for immigration reform, she is the author of “The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America”.  Her newest book “Legal Heroes in the Trump Era” tells the story of fourteen legal heroes who have responded to the crises of the Trump presidency in innovative and inspiring ways from advocating for asylum seekers on the southern border to defending environmental protections in the nation’s highest courts.  She is the host of the popular radio show turned podcast Tahmina Talks Immigration where she interviews notable immigrants and key professionals making an impact on immigration.

As if she wasn’t busy enough, Tahmina sits on several committees and boards. She is a national spokesperson for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the chair of the Response Committee of the Washington Chapter of AILA.  She is a recipient of the 2019 AILA President’s Commendation Award. She is a trustee of the Board of King County Bar Association in Washington, a past president of King County Washington Women Lawyers, and a former board member of both the Asian Bar Association of Washington and Washington Women Lawyers.

Among her many accomplishments, Tahmina’s pro-bono and advocacy work has always been integral to her professional life. Tahmina helped found the Washington Immigrant Defense Network (WIDEN), which trains lawyers and facilitates legal representation in the immigration courtroom. In response to Trump’s travel bans recruited a small army of fellow outraged immigration experts to provide free legal aid to immigrants which result in the creation of nonprofit organization Airport Lawyer. In recognition of all her work, Tahmina was recently named one of the 2020 Women of Influence by the Puget Sound Business Journal.

In the Seattle area, where she lives with her husband and two daughters, she has her most important roles as a mother and wife.  For Tahmina, motherhood is the true source propelling her forward in making great change in the world.  For her she can’t help to feel the intense heartache of every parent trying to give their children a better, safer life. It’s not clear when she has downtime but when she does you can find her squeezing in some meditations or making some of her favorite soups in the kitchen. In our opinion, she’s not only a legal hero but a superwomen and champion of the immigrant.  She’s making the world better and she’s making us want to do the same.

You can find out more about Tahmina and her work at tahminawatson.com.

What is your secret to living a high-vibrancy life?

Surrounding myself with people who love and support me.

Who is a woo-woo working woman that you admire and why?

Oprah Winfrey. She is the original woo woo working woman who brought spirituality into our homes all those years ago introducing the world to spiritual leaders like Eckhart Tolle. She is a shining example of the incredible goodness a woo woo working woman can bring to the lives of others. 

How do you balance work, wellness and spirituality?

I can't say I have the perfect balance, but I am working on it. My husband and I live on soups and salads which help us feel good physically (sometimes the kids will indulge me in having soups, but they much prefer mac-n-cheese). I try to meditate at least once a day, if not twice. My yoga teacher is the best. She helps bring together my mind, body and spirit.

Was there any one significant event that that moved you onto the path of becoming the woman you are today?

For me, there are several significant events but here is one to highlight:

In London, UK, one must have an apprenticeship, known as ‘pupillage’ to become a barrister (a trial lawyer). It is a competitive and challenging process. When I wasn’t able to secure a pupillage the first year I tried, I threw myself into pro bono legal work, and the following year I was successful. I will be forever grateful to the mentors who took me under their wings as the pupillage launched my career.  

Incidentally, I recently wrote about my pro bono work from that time, as well as the last few years in my new book, Legal Heroes in the Trump Era.

Personal Mantra?

"Everything happens for a reason."  

It helps me believe that everything will be OK in the end, no matter how big the problem, and to ensure I learn the lessons within that moment.

What did discovering what you wanted to do professionally look like for you?

I always wanted to be a lawyer. Born and raised in London, UK, I specifically wanted to be a barrister. There were a lot of lawyers in my family including my father and grandfather who were my inspirations. But it was my mother's love, guidance, support, and sacrifices that helped me become one. When I eventually became a barrister, the universe brought me to the United States to be with my husband. I took the New York bar examination and eventually fell into the practice of US immigration law.

Can you tell us a bit about what your job entails?

My practice focuses on business immigration law. I help businesses, entrepreneurs and investors with visa applications either for themselves or their employees. I also practice family-based immigration law, which means uniting loved ones. Additionally, I help people with their US citizenship applications. The last three years have seen unprecedented challenges in the field of US immigration law and policy. From travel bans to increased detentions to separation of children from their parents and so much more. As a lawyer in this area of practice, you cannot just sit back. You have to become a voice for your clients. And that is what I do.

Additionally, I lead the Response Committee of the Washington State chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. It has allowed me to help the community with the heightened needs for immigration lawyers for legal clinics of all kinds- Know your rights, DACA, travel ban and so much more.  My practice informs me of the legal issues that then helps me help the community. As a result of my work on this committee, I co-founded Airport Lawyer, a web portal that was critical in helping distressed passengers connect with volunteer lawyers when the initial travel bans were implemented. The work also helped me envision a new way to help detained immigrants by founding a non-profit called Washington Immigrant Defense Network (WIDEN).

Are there any professional skills or life behaviors you wish you’d developed or learned earlier that are essential to your success now?

I really wish I had learned mindfulness and meditation at a much younger age. It helps every aspect of one's life. In my mind, it should be a foundational skill taught at schools. While some schools are teaching mindfulness, I believe more needs to be done especially given the pandemic’s impact on people’s mental health.  Adults and children are equally suffering from mental health issues exacerbated by a pandemic that has completely changed our way of life. I am grateful I had been developing this skill before the pandemic; it has been a critical component to getting through these unprecedented times.

How do you handle new work projects or initiatives that you haven’t had experience handling before?

Covid19 has thrusted us into a new arena where work and personal lives have merged.  It was no small feat getting through the school year from March to June 2020 with a 10- and 8-year-old distant learning from home while working from home and managing covid19 immigration law challenges (you know what they are if you follow the news!).   Most of the problems we faced in 2020 were new ones or appeared in new ways. Analyzing the problem, then logically and strategically finding a solution is so important to me. When it comes to my clients, I take my job very seriously. Some of my clients will never know that I lost sleep because of a problem that had arisen from their case. Sometimes a fact that seems small to a client can have a big impact on a case, but they didn't think to tell me. Or, a new policy change will suddenly now affect them. I first focus on finding the solution and then tell them what, if anything, needs to happen. But the key components for me are analyzing, assessing and strategizing the best solution for that particular client, cause or issue.

As an immigration attorney, do you have any advice to women out there that have dreams of working and traveling internationally especially during these times?

During these challenging times when people are grounded in their homes, one can utilize the time for self-improvement and work towards the dreams you have. As a lawyer, one can volunteer in many virtual events - legal or social causes.  International travel might be limited for some time to come, but our international reach has never been broader. Through Zoom and other conferencing technology, virtual events are bringing us closer than ever; use the time for your own growth.

I have come to see this time as a gift from the universe-to find some calmness in my life, practice self-care for both mind and body, and have quality family time.  Knowing this time shall pass, I took more meditation lessons, acupuncture sessions, created a meditation program for children, and wrote a book. The key in my mind is preparation and when the opportunity presents itself you will be able to take it!

What is your superpower at work? 


My compassion for my clients, colleagues and the causes I support.

How do you reset after a challenging day? 

Turn on an audiobook in the kitchen and cook a soup.

Are there any organization or productivity hacks you swear by?

Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. Just get the task done.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

This is a tough one! The Girl Who Strove To Make A Difference.

In my free time, when I have any, you can usually find me __________. 

Listening to a book.

What is the greatest gift you can give yourself? 

Time with my husband and my daughters.

Favorite motivational instagram account, podcasts, and/or books?

My current favorite motivational book is Jen Sincero’s “You Are a Badass”

Advice to the Woo🖤Wooo Working Women out there figuring out how to live their best high-vibrancy life?

Focus on self-improvement and service to others.