Want to better understand the inner-workings of the immigration process in Massachusetts? Want to be a more informed advocate for all members of your community, regardless of citizenship status? Join us for a conversation about immigration policy and the path forward. 

Antonio M. Viana, Managing Attorney and founder of Massa Viana Immigration Law, has been a tireless advocate for immigration justice and civil rights over the course of his career. We are so excited to have him at the library for a conversation about his path to becoming a lawyer, the passion behind his work, and how we can all be a part of fighting for immigrants' rights, dignity, and safety.  

About Antonio M. Viana: 

"Antonio is passionate about immigration law, civil rights, and constitutional issues, as well as about the clients he represents. He founded Massa Viana Law with the goal of creating a firm guided by the principles of excellency in advocacy, mutual respect, and most importantly, of service.

An immigrant himself who first moved to the United States when he was 12 years old, Antonio tackled the immigration system first in his own personal life. He discovered that many times, in order to succeed, you need to push the envelope and not give up, despite the odds. That vision is employed daily in his firm, where attorneys and staff are encouraged to seek creative legal solutions for difficult problems, even when the answers are not readily apparent.

This never-give-up attitude allowed Antonio to become the first known undocumented immigrant attorney in Massachusetts. He attended Roger Williams University School of Law, where he was the first Latino Editor-in-Chief of the RWU Law Review, as well as winner of the Esther Clark and National Religious Freedom moot court competitions; he sat for the bar exam in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rhode Island would postpone his bar admission until he became a legal resident, but Massachusetts swore him despite his lack of legal status. Antonio started practicing immediately in immigration removal defense.

Antonio, together with his team, have helped hundreds of people—from those seeking refuge within our borders, to victims of violence and crimes, to those looking to once again be reunited with their loved ones—achieve their dreams of legal residency and citizenship."