Robert L. O’Malley

Immigration Attorney

Bob serves as counsel in Varnum’s Business and Corporate Practice Team, where his work centers on immigration law, including removal defense, regulatory compliance, and humanitarian and protection matters, such as affirmative asylum. With federal experience at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bob provides clients with insight into national immigration policy, agency decision-making, and enforcement priorities.

During his tenure with DHS, Bob held senior roles, including Senior Policy Advisor with the Border Security and Immigration Policy team and Section Chief with the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). He led teams conducting refugee adjudications abroad and coordinated with federal and international partners on complex policy, operational, and humanitarian matters.

His experience includes deployments in support of Operation Allies Refuge/Welcome and assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, where he supported parole operations and interagency coordination for vulnerable Afghan nationals. For his service, he received the Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal Award.

Earlier in his DHS career, Bob served as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of General Counsel, where he advised the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on legal, policy, and operational issues. He also held roles involving asylum adjudications, credible fear screenings, migrant protection protocols processing, and other immigration initiatives.

Before his federal service, Bob was a law clerk at Tobin & Muñoz, L.L.C. and the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Experience

Secured numerous grants of habeas corpus petitions on behalf of detained noncitizens, resulting in bond hearings and the release of individuals from immigration detention.

Successfully obtained bond for multiple detained clients in immigration court, securing their release while their cases proceeded, including individuals with strong community ties and no criminal history.

Represented a long-term lawful resident in immigration court removal proceedings following wrongful detention. After negotiating favorable resolutions in related criminal matters to preserve eligibility for immigration relief, secured a full win at an individual merits hearing before an immigration judge despite a near-total denial rate, preserving the client’s path to lawful permanent resident status.

Served as a special advisor to the U.S. Ambassador in Islamabad, Pakistan, advising on resettlement pathways for Afghan nationals in Pakistan.

Honors and Recognitions

Department of Homeland Security, Secretary’s Award, 2021, 2022

Professional Affiliations

American Immigration Lawyer’s Association

State Bar of Illinois

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Adjunct professor, Hope College

International relations commissioner, City of Holland

Welcome Plan West Michigan, Safe and Connected Communities, team member

Volunteer, Goddard Elementary

Publications

Road Map to Successful Immigrant Integration for Local Leaders (Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, December 2020)

Presentations

Immigration policy at Hope College

Presents at community centers, churches, and roundtable discussions, including Latin American United for Progress and CarePortal