Cheri Peterson-Ross ’96
“Immigration strengthens our economy, inclusion raises us all, and attorneys—alongside a free press—are vital to the survival of democracy.”
For more than 25 years, Cheri Peterson-Ross ’96 has navigated some of the most complex moments in immigration and nationality law. In an era of rapid policy change and rising anti-immigration sentiment, her commitment to collaboration, innovation, and justice remains unwavering.
Discover how Peterson-Ross has helped corporations and families navigate complex global immigration challenges as counsel at Fragomen, drawing on the collaborative foundation she built at Mitchell Hamline.
Q: Immigration law is everywhere these days. How has your practice been impacted by the rise in anti-immigration sentiment over the last year?
Through the intense scrutiny and challenges placed on nearly every aspect of immigration, the work can feel overwhelming at times. There are moments of real concern—particularly when due process appears to be overlooked and new hurdles are placed in front of immigrants who are deeply needed and wanted across this country.
In those moments, I return to some simple truths: Immigration strengthens our economy, inclusion raises us all, and attorneys—alongside a free press—are vital to the survival of democracy. Those principles ground me and keep me engaged.
I find myself collaborating more than ever with stakeholders across my clients’ organizations and with advocacy groups. I attend more conferences, retreats, and strategy meetings with professionals who share these values. That engagement reinvigorates me.
What has changed most is the breadth of interest. Increasingly, departments that were not historically involved in immigration or global mobility—from corporate strategy to procurement to human resources—want to understand how rapid changes in immigration policy may affect their employees and their families. In today’s environment, policy shifts can occur overnight, sometimes through a single social media post from the White House, the Department of State, or the Department of Homeland Security.
Success now requires full organizational engagement and proactive planning. The collaboration and relationship-building skills I developed as a student at Mitchell Hamline have been foundational in bringing diverse stakeholders together for a common purpose.
After more than 25 years in immigration and nationality law, I am more passionate, innovative, and engaged than ever. When you unite people with different perspectives around shared facts and shared goals, everyone leaves more informed and inspired.
Q: You’ve built a distinguished career in immigration and nationality law spanning more than two decades. What do you attribute your success to?
I trace it back to my earliest days at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where the culture is intentionally collaborative. I never experienced the intense competitiveness that friends described at other law schools. Instead, I found a community focused on working together.
At the time I applied to law school, I was working at the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department. I wanted a school that would empower me to make a difference in the world—and Mitchell Hamline did exactly that.
The practical experience I gained through internships, externships, and clinics set me apart immediately. Even prior to graduation, I received a job offer from a London firm wanting to add U.S. immigration to their practice. When I graduated, I received an offer from every immigration firm where I applied, including firms in Chicago and New York. Interviewers consistently pointed to my hands-on experience and demonstrated commitment to immigration law as differentiators.
I ultimately chose a small firm in Manhattan so I could gain broader exposure to different areas of immigration law. It was humbling to stand out among graduates of major law schools in cities like New York and Chicago—and it reinforced how impactful Mitchell Hamline’s experiential learning programs truly are.
During my internships, I worked with stakeholders at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, state representatives from both sides of the aisle, and public interest organizations. Walking the halls of the Minnesota State Capitol and participating in legislative processes was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Those early opportunities taught me how to identify stakeholders, bring them together, and build lasting relationships. Today, when I successfully convene professionals from HR, government relations, general counsel offices, recruiting, corporate strategy, and global mobility, I can trace that skill directly back to my time at Mitchell Hamline.
Q: Why have you chosen to remain with Fragomen for more than two decades, first in New York and now in Chicago?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a firm whose values mirror my own: public service, community involvement, collaboration, and innovation.
True global collaboration takes time and determination, but the payoff is extraordinary. Watching teams across functions and continents come together to develop strategy, deliver best-in-class service, and build lifelong professional relationships keeps me energized.
As immigration law has become increasingly integral to corporations and global organizations, Fragomen has built capabilities that span strategic planning, thought leadership, and rapid response. We regularly help clients navigate crises that unfold overnight—government overthrows, sanctions, sudden policy changes—that require immediate relocation solutions for employees and their families.
When those urgent situations arise, our global teams coordinate across consular practices, legislative and regulatory teams, risk and compliance groups, and humanitarian pathways specialists. Sometimes relocation must happen within days—or even hours.
Some of the most meaningful moments of my career have been receiving a message in the middle of the night confirming that a client and their family have safely relocated. The relief in their voices makes every preparation worthwhile.
The firm’s dedication to innovation has also pushed me to continually expand my own technological capabilities. I cannot imagine working anywhere else.
Q: What advice would you give to current and prospective Mitchell Hamline students?
While coursework can feel all-consuming, make time for externships and clinics. Visit the externship office and clinic office regularly, and stay open to opportunities that may ignite a passion outside your current area of interest.
Mitchell Hamline also offers invaluable opportunities to take focused classes with professors who remain active and influential in their fields. Seek out mentorship.
Most importantly, nurture your relationships—with classmates, professors, mentors, and alumni. The connections you build through internships and clinics often become sources of inspiration, collaboration, and referrals throughout your career.
Attend alumni events. Stay engaged. Remember what inspired you to pursue law in the first place: a commitment to justice and making a difference. The bond within the Mitchell Hamline community truly can last a lifetime.
Peterson-Ross currently represents corporate clients in the engine, research, and manufacturing industries and high-profile individual clients at Fragomen. She advises multinational corporations regarding the movement of professionals throughout the world, including temporary and permanent work visas and residency. She educates and coordinates activities between her clients’ offices of general counsel, procurement, human resources, recruitment, and global services to ensure efficiency, high-touch service, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Fragomen is a firm of more than 5,500 immigration-focused professionals and staff spanning more than 70 offices worldwide. Immigration has been their focus for 75 years, and today they offer support in more than 170 countries. The firm is recognized year after year by Chambers, Best Lawyers, and Who’s Who. They continuously partner with Mitchell Hamline to support students and the next generation of legal professionals.
