Rise & Grind: My Journey to Becoming a Successful Immigration Attorney Book Review

By Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez Esq

I’m excited to bring you another book review—this time featuring a future guest on my podcast, The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants. If you’re in the immigration space, you may already be familiar with her. She’s an immigration attorney with a massive online presence: 85,000 followers on Instagram and 427,000 on TikTok. Meet Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez.

How I Connected with Saman

I can't remember exactly when I started following Saman on Instagram, but since my podcast is about immigration, the algorithm often suggests immigration attorneys to me. What stood out about Saman was not just her informative content but her engagement—she actively responds to comments under her posts.

One day, I took a leap and asked in a comment if she did podcast appearances. Typically, I pitch guests via email, but since she was so engaged in her comment section, I figured this approach might work. To my surprise, she responded and provided an email address for inquiries. During our email exchange, I discovered she had written a book available on Amazon. Naturally, I had to get it—I love reading a guest’s book before an interview, especially when they’re an author.

Learning About Saman’s Background

The first thing I learned from her book was that Saman is Iranian. She shares her parents’ story—how they met in Iran and came to the U.S. in the 1970s before the Iranian Revolution. Originally, their plan was to study in the U.S. and return to Iran upon graduation, but due to the Revolution, they stayed in the U.S. permanently.

Before reading her book, I knew little about the Iranian Revolution. Her story prompted me to research it further, and I came across a BBC article showcasing images of Iranian women before and after the Revolution. The images reminded me of a photo I once saw of Middle Eastern women in the 1970s, dressed in Western clothing. At the time, I had assumed it was fake due to all the misinformation online. However, through my research, I learned it was accurate, and I gained a deeper understanding of Iran’s history.

A Childhood Visit During the Iran-Iraq War

Saman was born in Texas, but as a child, she visited Iran with her mother in the midst of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. This experience left a significant impact on her, and once again, I found myself learning about another historical event I hadn’t known about before.

One of the reasons I love hosting my podcast is because I get to learn about different historical events that led people to immigrate to the U.S. Through Saman’s story, I gained insights into the war’s impact on Iranian families.

The Beginnings of Her Passion for Immigration Law

Saman’s interest in immigration was sparked by her mother’s involvement in helping family members navigate the immigration process. In the 1990s, the process was different from today—people had to wake up at 3:00 AM to stand in long lines outside immigration offices because appointments were first come, first served.

Seeing her mother go through this process inspired Saman’s curiosity about immigration law. However, her journey to becoming an immigration attorney was far from easy. As a Muslim Iranian woman who wore a hijab, she faced discrimination and hate crimes throughout her life. She recounts experiences from her school years when classmates tried to remove her hijab and how she eventually stood in front of her entire elementary school to educate them about her culture and heritage. She was the only Iranian student at her school, which made her stand out even more.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Successful Career

Despite the challenges, Saman was determined. She graduated high school early, went on to university, and eventually attended law school in Florida. After passing the Florida Bar, she struggled to find a job as an immigration attorney at the start of her career.

Today, she has built a highly successful law firm, employing over 35 people and helping clients from nearly every country in the world. She is also an influential voice in the immigration space, using her social media platforms to educate others about the complexities of immigration law.

With changing administrations every four to eight years, immigration policies constantly shift. As an immigration attorney, staying updated on these changes is crucial, and Saman does her best to keep her audience informed.

Final Thoughts

Saman’s book is not just about her journey to becoming an immigration attorney—it’s a powerful story of resilience, identity, and overcoming adversity. Through her experiences, I learned more about Iranian history, the immigration process, and the realities faced by Muslim women in the United States.

I look forward to sharing our podcast episode once it’s published, and I highly recommend reading her book. It’s an eye-opening story that provides valuable historical context while offering inspiration to anyone navigating their own journey of perseverance and success.

This post contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.

With Love, Heidy