Daniel Shanfield

Daniel Shanfield, Esq., is a leading immigration attorney and the founder and president of the Law Offices of Daniel Shanfield – Immigration Defense, PC, in San Jose, California. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has built a strong reputation for handling complex immigration cases with precision and care.

Mr. Shanfield holds a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA, where he graduated magna cum laude with highest departmental honors. He earned a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Additionally, he studied Political Science at UC San Diego, where he was awarded the Prosser Award for Research in International Human Rights Law.

As a former federal immigration prosecutor, Mr. Shanfield brings insider knowledge of complex immigration laws and procedures to every case he handles. He uses this experience to build strong, strategic advocacy for his clients. Internationally, he served as Legal Services Manager for the U.S. refugee program in Europe, where he helped reunite families and guide immigrants to safety. He has also advised the United Nations as a migration and refugee specialist, further strengthening his global perspective on immigration and refugee law.

In private practice, Mr. Shanfield has handled a wide range of immigration matters, including asylum, deportation defense, family immigration, and naturalization. He has led numerous successful appeals for detained immigrants and guided clients through the challenges of complex immigration proceedings.

Committed to public service, Mr. Shanfield has contributed to pro bono initiatives, mentoring asylum attorneys and coordinating legal aid clinics for underserved communities.

His leadership roles in the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Stanford Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic highlight his dedication to advancing immigration law. Recognized for his legal acumen, Mr. Shanfield is considered one of San Jose’s top immigration lawyers and remains steadfast in his mission to defend immigrant rights.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder and President, Law Offices of Daniel Shanfield Immigration Defense PC.
• Member, American Bar Association, International Law Committee
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Board Member, Stanford Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic Legal Advisory Board

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of California, Berkeley – School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of California
  BA in Political Science with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges