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David M. Haghighi
Immigration Law
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David M. Haghighi Fled Persecution and Won Asylum—Then He Built a Career Fighting for Other Immigrants’ Second Chances
Before the court filings, federal appeals, and legal credentials, David M. Haghighi stood before the American immigration system as someone whose safety depended on its answer. He had fled persecution, come to the United States, and been granted asylum. Years later, he returned to that same system as an attorney representing people confronting the fear and uncertainty he once experienced himself.
Haghighi has practiced immigration law since 2001, representing thousands of people in matters involving asylum, removal, family unity, lawful permanent residence, and citizenship. He also earned certification from the State Bar of California as a specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law. Yet the most revealing part of his record begins where many immigration stories appear to end: after the government has already said no.
In Salim v. Lynch, his client’s attempt to reopen removal proceedings had been rejected as untimely. The client had submitted more than 100 pages documenting increased dangers facing Christians in Indonesia, but the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed much of that evidence as repetitive. The distinction Haghighi presented to the federal appeals court was critical: this was not simply old evidence packaged differently. The conditions had changed, the basis for seeking protection had changed, and the new danger deserved to be evaluated on its own facts.
The Ninth Circuit agreed. It concluded that the Board had mishandled the evidence and failed to properly consider the client’s personal risk. The court granted the appeal and returned the case to immigration authorities for further proceedings. It was not an automatic grant of asylum. It was something more fundamental to Haghighi’s work—a second chance for an immigrant to receive a decision based on the right evidence and the right legal rules.
Then the case grew beyond the person whose name appeared on it. Because the Ninth Circuit published its opinion, Salim became precedent that could influence later immigration decisions. Two years afterward, the court returned two additional cases handled by Haghighi to the Board so it could determine whether the reasoning in Salim applied. His broader appellate record follows the same pattern: challenging decisions in which important evidence was overlooked, an argument was left unanswered, or the wrong standard was used.
That work reveals more about Haghighi than a list of court admissions ever could. Immigration appeals rarely begin with a clean slate. They begin with a rejection, an approaching deadline, or a person being told that the opportunity to remain in the United States may be disappearing. The lawyer must find the difference between a disappointing answer that the law supports and a decision that should not be allowed to stand without another look.
Haghighi understands that difference as a certified specialist and an experienced appellate advocate. He also understands, in a way no credential can manufacture, what protection from persecution means to the person requesting it. The immigration system once heard his own appeal for safety. His career has been devoted to insisting that it listen carefully before closing the door on someone else.
That combination of experience, reputation, verified professional standing, and public credibility is why David M. Haghighi was included on FreddieFender.com.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Los Angeles (1995).
- Juris Doctor, Southwestern University School of Law (2000).
- Active member of the State Bar of California, Bar No. 217401 (2001).
- Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
- Admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association.
- Member, American Bar Association.
- Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association.
- Speaks English and Farsi.
Career Highlights / Proven Experience
Career Highlights
- Firm Founder: Founded and leads the Law Offices of David M. Haghighi, APC, a Los Angeles immigration practice representing clients in asylum, removal defense, family immigration, waivers, citizenship, and federal appeals.
- More Than 25 Years Devoted to Immigration Law: Has focused his career exclusively on immigration and nationality law, representing clients throughout California, across the United States, and internationally.
- Personal Understanding of Asylum: Came to the United States after fleeing persecution and was granted asylum, giving him firsthand insight into the uncertainty and personal consequences facing people seeking protection.
- Thousands of Immigration Matters: Has handled thousands of cases before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal appellate courts.
- Extensive Federal Appellate Practice: Has represented immigrants in successful appeals across multiple federal circuits, including six documented Ninth Circuit matters that produced full or partial grants and remands.
- Federal Judicial Experience: Served as a legal extern with the United States District Court for the Central District of California before entering private practice.
- Sustained Professional Recognition: Selected to Southern California Super Lawyers for Immigration Law every year from 2022 through 2026.
- Distinguished UCLA Graduate: Graduated cum laude from UCLA with both College Honors and Psychology Departmental Honors.
Proven Experience
- Published Ninth Circuit Victory — Salim v. Lynch : Argued and won a published federal appellate decision overturning the denial of a motion to reopen. The Ninth Circuit found that immigration authorities had mishandled important evidence concerning changed country conditions and the client’s personal risk, restoring his opportunity to pursue asylum and protection from removal.
- Asylum Claims Revived — Yuliana v. Mukasey : Served as counsel in an appeal that returned the client’s asylum and withholding-of-removal claims to immigration authorities because the Board of Immigration Appeals had failed to consider an important argument concerning the danger faced by members of a persecuted group.
- Incorrect Legal Standard Overturned — Leli Tan v. Sessions : Obtained a partial appellate victory after the Ninth Circuit determined that immigration authorities had applied the wrong credibility standard and failed to consider important evidence. The client’s asylum and withholding claims were remanded for proper reconsideration.
- Two Additional Ninth Circuit Remands — Sadewo v. Sessions and Widjaja v. Sessions : Won two separate petitions for review, requiring immigration authorities to reconsider previously denied motions to reopen under the principles established in Haghighi’s earlier Salim victory.
- Removal Stayed and Case Returned — Samiadji v. Wilkinson : Secured a partial grant and remand after the Ninth Circuit found that the Board of Immigration Appeals had failed to meaningfully evaluate extensive supporting evidence and an important persecution argument. The clients’ removal was stayed while the Board reconsidered their case.
- 60-Day Naturalization Deadline — Chan v. Lynch : Represented a permanent resident in a federal action after her citizenship application remained unresolved for more than 120 days following her interview. Through that action, Haghighi secured a court-approved agreement requiring USCIS to issue a decision within 60 days.
- Asylum Grant Through United States Citizenship: Guided a client from an asylum grant at the initial interview through the later achievement of United States citizenship, providing representation across multiple stages of the client’s immigration journey.
- Removal Litigation Ending in Green Cards: Helped clients facing an asylum and removal case obtain lawful permanent residence after courtroom litigation, allowing them to remain safely in the United States.
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