Managing Partner Michael Wildes is proud to announce the approval of the O-1 petition filed on behalf of Eddie Ndopu is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed social justice advocate, humanitarian, public intellectual, and bona fide changemaker.
Mr. Ndopu was born in South Africa and at age 2 he was diagnosed with Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He not only defied his medical prognosis that he wouldn’t live past the age of five—he also defied Namibian educational policy by becoming one of only a handful of disabled children in the entire country to be enrolled in the mainstream schooling system. In 2016, Mr. Ndopu won a scholarship to Oxford University, making him both the first African and first Black person with a disability to be admitted into the program. In 2019, Mr. Ndopu became part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s eminent group of Global Advocates for the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, alongside international dignitaries. Mr. Ndopu has been honored and recognized for his work with The David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award and has been named among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine. Mr. Ndopu has been featured in major media many times for his distinguished appearances, presentations, and achievements. He has also authored articles for prestigious publications and organizations like TIME magazine, The Feminist Wire, Global Citizen and the World Economic Forum. Notably, Mr. Ndopu recently signed a book deal to write his debut memoir, SIPPING DOM PERIGNON THROUGH A STRAW, due to be released in 2023.
Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. was founded in 1960 by Michael’s father, Leon Wildes, whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings (the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries). The firm specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law, has a distinguished domestic and international clientele, and can assist with any type of immigration matter including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications, all temporary and permanent type visas, and U.S. citizenship.
In addition to running a highly successful immigration law practice, Michael is also currently serving his third term as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, is the author of Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door (which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field), is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York and serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms. Moreover, Michael is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, photographers, stylists, and literary agents. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include scholar Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (z’l), as well as soccer icon Pele, Master Chef Jean-Georges and Former First Lady Melania Trump and her family.
Today the firm of Wildes & Weinberg has offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and a presence in Los Angeles, California, and continues to maintain its stellar reputation in the field of U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.
For more information on our firm please visit www.wildeslaw.com or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.